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.

Subscribe and turn on notifications for more transformative conversations with African visionaries.

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

Subscribe to @afropolitan for more powerful conversations on identity, legacy

What if we told you that Afrobeats, Big Brother Nigeria, and one of the most powerful creative revolutions in Africa were all connected by one man?

In this episode, we sit down with Obi Asika—media mogul, cultural architect, and one of the founding forces behind Nigeria’s rise as a global soft power. From launching game-changing music labels in the ‘90s to embedding Nigerian music into reality TV, Obi has always seen the vision before the world caught on.

We talk about:

How Nigeria became a global cultural superpower

The real story behind Afrobeats (and who really started it)

The truth about soft power, IP, and why Africa must control its narrative

What every young creator must understand about value and legacy

How Big Brother Nigeria helped launch a media revolution

Jay-Z, Fela, Flavor, and the mindset behind long-term greatness

This isn’t just an interview—it’s a masterclass in cultural strategy, legacy-building, and African excellence.

If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or diasporan looking to understand the future of African influence—this episode is for you.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Who should we interview next?

In this solo episode, Chika and Eche dive into one of the most uncomfortable but necessary conversations:

Is masculinity dying and what’s really going on with modern womanhood?

They unpack why dating content is dominated by figures like Andrew Tate and Kevin Samuels, how male dating coaches often pander to women, and the growing disconnect between men and women today.

They also reflect on the life and legacy of Herbert Wigwe, and the deeper questions we should be asking about impact, ambition, and how we’re remembered.

Plus, thoughts on Babangida’s new book** and what it reveals about Nigerian leadership, silence, and selective memory.

This is an episode that blends culture, critique, and clarity.

Want to go deeper? Book a 1-on-1 video call with Chika or Eche on Convo by Afropolitan
• Chika Uwazie - https://convo.vip/chikauwazie
• Eche Emole - https://convo.vip/echeemole

Ready to meet your match?
Apply to join Legacy, our private dating club for high-achieving Africans across the diaspora: https://legacy.rsvp/

We know Nicole Chikwe as the confident beauty entrepreneur, influencer, and founder of The Mummy Summit.

But in this deeply honest conversation, she opens up like never before.

Nicole shares:

What it really felt like to be married to a celebrity while quietly battling insecurity

How she rebuilt her confidence as a wife, a mother, and a woman in her own right

The truth about the influencer industry in Nigeria—and the parts no one talks about

Why motherhood broke her open and how it also made her whole

What she wants other women to know about self-worth, softness, and starting over

This is the real story behind the highlight reel.

Want to go deeper?
You can now book a 1-on-1 video call with Nicole Chikwe to ask your biggest questions on identity, influence, and soft power via Convo:

https://convo.vip/nicolechikwe

What does it really mean to build a legacy—from billion-dollar companies to your own home?

In this episode, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji opens up like never before.

We talk about:

Surviving the Sosoliso crash that claimed 60 of his classmates

The pressure and cost of building billion-dollar companies

Marriage, masculinity, and why “the feminists are shouting”

Fatherhood, faith, and what legacy really means to him now

This is the side of Iyin the internet rarely sees.

Want to go deeper?
You can now book a 1-on-1 video call with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji to ask your biggest questions on building, leadership, and legacy via Convo:
https://convo.vip/iyinoluwaaboyeji

Subscribe to @Afropolitan for more podcasts like this

What does it *really* take to reinvent your life especially when the world already thinks it knows who you are?

In this raw and robust conversation, legendary Nigerian rapper and music executive M.I Abaga sits down with us to unpack his journey of reinvention—from rap icon to record label head, husband, and purpose-driven leader.

We talk about:
Walking away from fame to find freedom
Regret, controversy, and how he made peace with past decisions
The mental battles that come with being a public figure
How marriage, and turning 40 changed everything
Behind-the-scenes stories from his biggest songs and collaborations
The hardest seasons of his career—and why he didn’t quit
His vision for Africa’s creative economy and how TASCK is reshaping the game

Whether you're navigating a career pivot, healing from failure, or just trying to figure out your next chapter—this episode will shift something in you.