KEY POINTS

• Cosgrove approved ₦4bn worth of properties as staff rewards
• The gesture was announced at the company’s 2025 retreat in Abuja
• Management tied the move to performance, loyalty and long term security

Nigerian real estate developer Umar Abdullahi, founder and owner of Cosgrove Investment Limited, closed the year with an unusual gesture that has drawn attention across business and property circles.

The Abuja based entrepreneur approved the allocation of company owned properties valued at ₦4 billion, about $2.7 million, as gifts to staff members in recognition of loyalty and performance.

During the company’s 2025 retreat in Abuja, Cosgrove made the headlines when executives and senior team members got together to talk about strategies and see how well the firm was doing. The company framed the decision as more than an end-of-year bonus, reflecting its philosophy of shared growth and long-term value creation.

Abdullahi said Cosgrove made the move to empower its workforce and build sustainable prosperity within what he described as the Cosgrove family. He noted that as the company expands across Nigeria’s real estate market, it is important that employees who contribute to that growth also benefit in tangible and lasting ways.

A rare form of employee recognition

Industry observers described the gesture as highly unusual in Nigeria’s corporate environment, where companies more often recognise employees with ceremonies, plaques, or cash bonuses. By contrast, Cosgrove’s approach involved transferring ownership of completed properties to selected staff members, offering them long term security through real estate assets.

Company sources said the property gifts were tied to dedication, performance and contributions to the firm’s growth. Executives explained that the aim was to foster deeper commitment and a stronger sense of ownership among employees, while also rewarding excellence in a highly competitive sector.

According to Billionaires Africa, the retreat wasn’t simply a location to make the news; it was also a place to prepare for the future of the organization. Teams reviewed operations, organisational structure and performance benchmarks, with management emphasising the need for faster project delivery, improved customer service and stricter adherence to Cosgrove’s development standards.

Expansion plans and strategic outlook

Discussions at the retreat also focused on closing operational gaps and setting execution priorities for 2026. The corporation says that these priorities include making it easier for divisions to hold each other accountable and making decisions faster to help the company develop in new regions.

Cosgrove Investment Limited operates as a privately held real estate developer based in Abuja and markets residential projects as premium and luxury homes. The company also develops commercial real estate and places strong emphasis on smart home features, including integrated technology for security, energy efficiency and remote management.

As part of its growth strategy, Cosgrove said it is expanding into several states, including Jigawa, Kano, Lagos and Ondo. The corporation noted that its ambitions include both residential developments and road infrastructure projects. This aligns with its overarching goal of expansion that is both sustainable and driven by technology.

The property presents are more than just a gesture; they illustrate how Cosgrove is attempting to stand out through design, technology, and culture. For a lot of workers, the gift signifies both job stability and a strong statement about how much the company regards long-term devotion and good work.