On March 29th and 30th, 2025, The Bridge Initiative took place in Northampton and London, marking a significant milestone in bridging the gap for diaspora Nigerians seeking secure and hassle-free property investment opportunities in Nigeria. The event, organized by Refuge Bank and supported by GrapeVine360 Solutions, successfully brought together key stakeholders, developers, and investors to explore meaningful solutions to real estate challenges faced by Nigerians abroad.
The initiative kicked off with a pre-event webinar on March 14th, Arise and Build – Property Investment Conference 2025. This online session, featuring Dr. Femi Otenigbagbe, MD/CEO of Refuge Mortgage Bank, set the stage by addressing the obstacles diaspora Nigerians face in acquiring property and shared Refuge Bank’s vision for a more secure investment process.
In the days leading up to the event, Dr. Femi Otenigbagbe, alongside Mr. Femi Olukoya, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of GrapeVine360 Solutions, also visited His Worshipful, Cllr Kola Agboola, the Civic Mayor of Croydon, to discuss ways to empower diaspora Nigerians to invest confidently in real estate back home, emphasizing integrity, trust, and security.
The event itself proved to be a resounding success. Over two days, attendees enjoyed informative sessions, with Dr. Dayo Olomu leading the welcome address, highlighting the event’s purpose and significance. Dr. Otenigbagbe provided deep insights into property investment opportunities, reinforcing the importance of integrity in transactions and offering guidance for diaspora Nigerians eager to make secure property investments.
The event also provided invaluable networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with developers, share ideas, and explore potential investments. GrapeVine360 Solutions played a key role in delivering a seamless experience, with expertly executed digital marketing campaigns, optimized event management, and highly targeted outreach strategies.
Our strategic content, including countdown videos and a high-impact master promo, drove pre-event engagement, reaching 342 targeted accounts and generating 1,052 video views. The VIP invitation process and optimized Eventbrite platform helped secure key decision-makers’ attendance, while outreach efforts across diaspora social media groups expanded Refuge Bank’s audience.
Throughout the event, our team provided comprehensive coverage, with professional photography, video documentation, and screen-sharing capabilities for online participants. Personalized outreach through bulk SMS and direct calls ensured strong engagement and a meaningful attendee experience.
The Bridge Initiative concluded with positive feedback from attendees, confirming its success in empowering diaspora Nigerians to confidently invest in Nigerian real estate. The event significantly boosted Refuge Bank’s brand visibility, helping to foster trust and engagement within the diaspora community. This initiative not only showcased Refuge Bank as a trusted partner for property investment but also highlighted the power of strategic integration between digital and offline marketing in achieving long-term growth and impact.
