Property Appreciation Trends in Abuja (2020‑2025)
Introduction: The Plot I Bought for ₦2.5M Now Worth ₦15M In 2019, I bought a 500 sqm plot in Kubwa Extension for ₦2.5 million. Everyone told me I was crazy – “Kubwa is too far,” they said. Today, that same plot is valued at over ₦15 million. That’s a 500% increase in six years. Abuja’s real estate […]
Real Estate Financing Options for Low‑Income Earners in Nigeria
Introduction: How a ₦50,000 Monthly Earner Bought a House My neighbour, Mr. Kazeem, is a civil servant earning ₦85,000 per month. Four years ago, he told me he had given up on owning a home. “Land is too expensive, mortgage interest is too high,” he said. I introduced him to the National Housing Fund (NHF) […]
The Role of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV)
Introduction: How a NIESV Surveyor Saved Me from an Overpriced Property When I was looking to buy a duplex in Magodo, the seller wanted ₦80 million. I thought it was fair because similar houses were listed for that amount. But I decided to hire a registered estate surveyor (through NIESV) to do a professional valuation. […]
A Guide to Nigerian Property Tax: What Owners Must Pay
Introduction: I Almost Got My Property Seized for Unpaid Taxes Three years ago, I received a letter from the Lagos State Government threatening to seal my apartment because I hadn’t paid Land Use Charge for two years. I didn’t even know I was supposed to pay. I thought property tax was for commercial buildings only. […]
Short‑let Apartments vs. Long‑term Rentals: Which Yields More in Nigeria?
Introduction: My First Short‑let Experiment Almost Failed In 2022, I converted my 2‑bedroom flat in Lekki Phase 1 into a short‑let (Airbnb-style) apartment. I spent ₦1.5 million on furniture, smart TV, and professional photos. For the first three months, I was excited – I made ₦800,000 in a single month (high season). But then came […]
How to Use a Property Percentage Calculator (with Real Examples)
Introduction: I Wish I Had Used a Calculator Before My First Investment When I bought my first rental property in 2018, I did the math on a napkin: purchase price ₦15 million, rent ₦1.5 million per year, so “payback in 10 years.” Simple, right? Wrong. I forgot to add legal fees, stamp duty, renovation costs, […]
The Legal Process of Transferring Property Ownership in Nigeria
Introduction: I Made a Costly Mistake by Skipping Governor’s Consent When I bought my first land in Lagos, I thought I was smart. I got a Deed of Assignment signed, paid the seller, and moved in. Two years later, when I tried to sell, the buyer’s lawyer discovered that the land had a Certificate of […]
The Impact of Inflation on Nigerian Property Prices and Rent (2025 Update)
Introduction: Why Your Rent Increased by 50% in One Year If you rent in Lagos, you’ve felt the pain. My own landlord in Ikeja raised rent from ₦1.5 million to ₦2.5 million in 2024 – a 67% jump. When I asked why, he just said “inflation.” He wasn’t wrong. Nigeria’s inflation rate hit 25.8% in […]
How to Avoid Land Scams and Real Estate Fraud in Nigeria
Introduction: I Almost Lost ₦2 Million to a “Family Land” Scam A few years ago, a friend introduced me to a “genuine” plot in Ibeju‑Lekki. The price was ₦2 million – half of what others were asking. The owner showed me a C of O and even took me to the site. I was ready […]
The Complete Cost Breakdown of Building a 3‑Bedroom House in Nigeria
Introduction: Why I Wrote This After Building My Own House Two years ago, I decided to build my own 3‑bedroom bungalow in Ogun State. I thought I had budgeted well – ₦12 million for everything. By the time I finished, I had spent over ₦18 million. I’m not alone. Many Nigerians start building with a […]