How He Built a $350 Million Real Estate Empire Before 35
In this powerful episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, Olawale Ayilara founder of Landwey and the visionary behind Isimi Lagos—shares the untold story behind one of Africa’s most remarkable real estate empires.

From walking away from a U.S. visa and marriage plan to betting everything on Lagos, Wale takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to build wealth, legacy, and trust in Nigeria’s chaotic market.

In this episode, we explore:
– How he lost ₦14B and still chose to refund his clients
– Why land, not houses, is the smartest investment in Nigeria
– The truth about diaspora disillusionment, devaluation, and coming back home
– What the future of sustainable cities looks like on the continent
– And the mindset it takes to lead with integrity and long-term vision

This isn’t just a real estate story—it’s a lesson in resilience, innovation, and what it means to build for and from Africa.

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Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this conversation, Arresa Ugwu, the bestselling author of 'The Smart Money Woman', shares her journey from writing a book to creating a successful TV series. She discusses the challenges of filmmaking in Nigeria, the importance of resilience in the face of rejection, and the dynamics of financial conversations among women. Arresa emphasizes the need for vulnerability in discussing money and the impact of social pressures on economic decisions. She also reflects on her experiences with mistakes and the lessons learned along the way, advocating for a balance between financial independence and relationships. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of social comparisons, self-worth, and the importance of authentic relationships among women. They discuss the challenges faced in the Nollywood film industry, the nuances of female friendships, and a filmmaker's journey. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, the value of long-term relationships, and the aspirations for future projects in the creative space.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Arresa Udhla and Her Journey
03:07 The Chaos of Filmmaking in Nigeria
06:12 The Smart Money Woman: From Book to Screen
08:57 Facing Rejection and Finding New Opportunities
12:11 Building a Media Empire and Future Projects
14:51 Conversations Around Money and Gender Dynamics
17:55 Caution in Investing: A Gender Perspective
21:07 The Importance of Vulnerability in Financial Conversations
24:01 Learning from Mistakes and Resilience
27:10 Balancing Financial Independence with Relationships
30:11 Navigating Social Pressures and Economic Realities
31:28 Building Authentic Relationships Among Women
35:44 The Complexity of Female Friendships
36:50 Insights on Nollywood and the Streaming Landscape
39:55 Challenges and Triumphs in Filmmaking
42:52 The Journey of a Filmmaker
48:19 Future Aspirations and New Ventures

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In this powerful episode of *The Afropolitan Podcast*, Gbenga Akinnagbe —best known as Chris Partlow from The Wire pulls back the curtain on what it *really* takes to survive Hollywood.

From surviving the streets of D.C. to earning a wrestling scholarship that rerouted his life, Gbenga shares the raw truth about his journey: the odds of "making it," how only 3% of actors earn a livable income, and the emotional toll behind the spotlight.

He opens up about:
- Turning down roles to protect his integrity
- Why he believes no state should have the power to take a life
- The role therapy played in his healing as a Black man
- His dream to play Black Panther—and his reaction when Chadwick Boseman was cast
- Why *The Wire* never won awards, but won the people

This is more than an actor’s story it’s a lesson in power, purpose, and reclaiming your narrative.

Tap in if you care about
- The business of acting
- Legacy over fame
- Criminal justice reform
- Black storytelling on a global stage