Learn. Build. Launch. Then grow.
A practical programme built around doing the work — not sitting through lectures and waiting for a certificate. Property Management, Brokerage and the business skills to turn both into a career or a business.
Don't just learn. Launch.
Upward University moves students from learning into the market — fast. By Week 4, your professional identity, offer and initial market activity should be ready to launch.
Design
Choose your market, customer, offer and business model.
Build
Business identity, WhatsApp Business, landing page, proposal and pricing.
Launch
Go commercially live and begin outreach to real prospects.
Acquire → Earn → Grow
Win clients, deliver, earn and build your portfolio.
Three skills that work together.
Property Management
Landlord relationships, rent collection, maintenance, tenant relations and portfolio growth.
Brokerage
Finding clients, sourcing opportunities, marketing, viewings, negotiation and closing.
Business
Positioning, pricing, prospecting, client acquisition and building a sustainable professional identity.
What you'll be able to do.
Ten concrete outcomes the programme is built around — not just topics covered, but things you can actually do.
- ✓ Manage properties professionally.
- ✓ Acquire and retain landlords and tenants.
- ✓ Market and let properties.
- ✓ Handle rent collection, inspections, and maintenance.
- ✓ Use technology to improve property operations.
- ✓ Communicate and negotiate professionally.
- ✓ Understand the legal and regulatory environment.
- ✓ Build a professional network and personal brand.
- ✓ Generate commercial opportunities — have at least one landlord in your portfolio.
- ✓ Eventually, build a property management or brokerage practice.
Week by week.
Every week pairs a Property Management & Brokerage topic with a business-building lesson or activity, so you're never just learning theory in isolation.
Program Orientation
Excellence mindset; possibilities; dreaming big; program expectations; dos and don'ts; code of conduct; professionalism; participation and commitment.
Standing Out as a Business or Career Professional in 2026
Panel session with Q&A. Business activity: start lead generation with 20 potential clients.
Property Management & Brokerage Fundamentals
Property management vs. brokerage; understanding the problems landlords have; role of property managers and real estate agents; Nigerian real estate industry; types of property; property lifecycle; brokerage models; agency relationships; income and commission structures; career paths; PM and brokerage fundamentals.
Business Model Canvas
Choose a target market, define the type of property/landlord to serve, select a business model, define the service offer, and draft a simple business proposal.
Landlord Acquisition, Onboarding & Property Sourcing
Winning and prospecting landlords; property sourcing; prospecting property owners; landlord qualification; off-market opportunities; property verification; onboarding; property documentation; building inventory; setting expectations; management agreements; landlord communication; client relationship management.
Personal Branding & Business Credibility
Professional identity; LinkedIn; social media; credibility; thought leadership; reputation management. Business activity: choose a business brand name. Build a credible public profile, publish useful property-management content and improve the landlord-facing brochure and proposal.
Client & Tenant Acquisition, Qualification & Screening
Prospecting; lead generation; finding tenants and clients; buyer/tenant profiling; client needs analysis; lead and tenant qualification; KYC; tenant screening; rental applications; tenant risk assessment; client and tenant communication; tenant onboarding; CRM.
Professional Communication & Business Foundation
Email etiquette; WhatsApp communication; professional writing; client conversations; active listening. Business activity: finalise service packages and pricing, prepare a proposal/management agreement, review prospect list, register a business name and set up social presence.
Property Marketing, Letting & Lead Management
Property listings; listing creation; property photography; listing descriptions; pricing; social media and listing platforms; digital marketing; lead generation; viewing coordination; enquiry and lead management; prospect qualification; property viewings; converting enquiries into tenants.
Go To Market: Digital Marketing, Referrals & Brokerage Growth
WhatsApp and social media marketing; content creation; creating an online reputation. Business activity: create a content plan, and develop partnerships with relevant property professionals and service providers.
Tenancy, Rent Management, Negotiation & Closing
Rental structures in Nigeria; rent collection; agency and management fees; rent reminders; tenancy agreements; renewals; arrears management; notices; rent payment tracking; dispute management; rent and price negotiation; commission negotiation; objection handling; closing techniques.
Setting Up Your Back Office
Client reporting templates, core SOPs, compliance/documentation checklists, and a simple operating dashboard for the business. Visit / pitch to your first 10 leads.
Property Inspections, Viewings & Client Experience
Move-in and move-out inspections; property condition assessment; condition reports; inventory; identifying defects; preventive inspections; inspection documentation and reporting; scheduling and conducting viewings; site etiquette; client qualification; follow-up; converting viewings into tenants.
Financial Management & Business Operations
Personal finance for professionals; property cash flow; management fees; commissions; budgeting; basic financial reporting. Business activity and field work: set up financial tracking and sign up your first client.
Add-on Partner Services — Valuation, Maintenance & Facilities Management
Property valuation; maintenance requests; emergency response; work orders; contractor management; preventive maintenance; service charges; budgeting; property preservation; landlord/tenant maintenance responsibilities.
Introduction to Valuation
Panel session with NIESV representatives. Build referral partnership(s) for valuation and facility management. Optional: develop a basic FM value offering.
Reporting, Documentation, Transaction Management & Compliance
Property records; offer letters; tenancy documentation; agreements; transaction records; receipts; due diligence; financial reports; inspection and incident reports; document management; audit trails; data management; client reporting; privacy and confidentiality.
Business Advisory Session
Review client acquisition progress, review your value proposition, and pitch your next 10 potential clients — with advisors in the room.
Building a Tech-Driven Property Management Business
PropTech fundamentals; digital rent collection; property management software; digital maintenance; automated communication; dashboards; property data; tenant data; AI and automation; PM business models; management fees; acquiring portfolios; service design; client retention; team structure; portfolio growth; profitability; building a PM brand.
Legal, Ethical Practice & Business Growth
Professional ethics; client protection; fraud prevention; regulatory awareness; conflicts of interest; professional conduct. Business activity: integrate technology, legal/ethical controls, and growth systems into the business; review portfolio and revenue; define 90-day growth targets; and present a final Property Management Business Growth Plan.
Case Studies — Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Offer Design
Spotting discrepancies; analysing property issues; risk assessment; decision-making; landlord/tenant conflicts; maintenance emergencies.
What you'll actually produce.
Real deliverables, not just notes — the kind of work you can show a landlord or an employer.
6–8 hours every week.
That includes live learning, practical work, building your assets and market activity. It's designed to fit around work or studies, but it is not passive.