I advocate firmly for one central regulatory body to oversee land administration and real estate, streamlined and digitized processes, enforceable building codes, and a specialized tenancy tribunal — instead of the confusing maze of overlapping agencies that frustrate serious investors.
I advocate firmly for one central regulatory body to oversee land administration and real estate, streamlined and digitized processes, enforceable building codes, and a specialized tenancy tribunal — instead of the confusing maze of overlapping agencies that frustrate serious investors.
The current system in Nigeria is a labyrinth. Land administration involves the federal government, state governments, local governments, and a bewildering array of agencies with overlapping and sometimes contradictory mandates. Navigating this maze requires not just legal expertise but also extensive personal connections and, too often, unofficial payments.
A single regulatory body with clear authority over all aspects of real estate — from land registration to building permits to dispute resolution — would eliminate much of this confusion. It would provide a single point of accountability, a unified set of standards, and a clear pathway for investors and developers.
Digitization is equally critical. Paper-based systems are slow, vulnerable to manipulation, and impossible to scale. A fully digital platform for land registration, permit applications, and compliance monitoring would dramatically reduce processing times, minimize opportunities for corruption, and provide the transparency that investors demand.
Building codes must be enforceable, not aspirational. Nigeria has building codes on paper, but enforcement is sporadic at best. A regulatory body with the authority and resources to conduct regular inspections and impose meaningful penalties for non‑compliance would save lives and protect investments.
Finally, a specialized tenancy tribunal would address one of the most persistent problems in Nigerian real estate. The regular court system is too slow and too expensive to handle tenancy disputes effectively. A dedicated tribunal with simplified procedures and strict timelines would protect both landlords and tenants while keeping properties productive.