“Marketing is their superpower. They will show you flashy 3D designs, promise you world-class infrastructure, and make you feel like you’re buying a piece of Dubai in Ibeju-Lekki.”

So, you’ve finally decided to buy land or a house in Lagos. Congratulations!

You’re about to step into the unpredictable, sometimes dramatic, and always exciting world of Lagos real estate.

If you’re dealing with a real estate company for the first time, you might be wondering: What should I expect?

Well, let me prepare you. Some things will make you smile, some will test your patience, and some will make you wonder if you should have just stayed a tenant forever.

But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

1. A Lot of Marketing Hype

The first thing you’ll notice when dealing with real estate companies in Lagos is that they know how to sell a dream.

You’ll hear phrases like:● “Buy now! Price increases tomorrow!”● “Fastest-growing estate in Lagos!”● “C of O is in process” (what does ‘in process’ even mean?)

Marketing is their superpower. They will show you flashy 3D designs, promise you world-class infrastructure, and make you feel like you’re buying a piece of Dubai in Ibeju-Lekki.

While some of these promises are real, some are just sugarcoating.

Always ask questions and verify every claim.

2. Payment Plans That Sound Too Good to Be True.

Many real estate companies offer installment payments. This is great news, especially if you don’t have all the money at once.

However, read the fine print carefully. Some of them will tell you it’s “zero interest” but hide extra charges in other places. Others will offer discounts that only apply if you pay immediately.

Ask about:● Total cost after installments – Don’t just focus on the monthly payment; check how much you’ll pay in the end.

● Hidden fees – Development fees, documentation fees, survey fees—these things add up!

● Penalty for late payment – Some companies charge ridiculous fees if you miss a payment.

3. Titles and Documentation Confusion

Ah, the famous Lagos land titles. This is where many first-time buyers get confused.

A real estate company might tell you they are selling land with “Excision in Progress” or “Gazette Available.” Sounds good, right?

But what does it really mean?Here’s a simple breakdown:

● C of O (Certificate of Occupancy) – The safest and strongest title. If your land has this, you can sleep well at night.

● Governor’s Consent – Almost as good as a C of O. It means the government has approved the transaction.

● Excision – The government has released the land to the community, but it’s not yet fully documented.

● Gazette – A record showing that the land is excised. It’s a step in the right direction but still needs further documentation. If a company cannot clearly explain the land title to you, be careful.

Always verify with a property lawyer.4. Site Inspections:

What You See vs. What You Get

When a real estate company invites you for a site inspection, prepare yourself mentally. Some estates look perfect on flyers but appear very different in real life.

You might find that:

● The roads are not as smooth as they looked in the advert.

● The estate gate is just a wooden plank.

● The “five minutes from the express” location is actually 15 minutes by Okada on a bumpy road.

Always visit the site before paying. Don’t buy land based on just pictures or drone shots. And if the company refuses to take you for an inspection, that’s a red flag.

5. Sweet-Talking Sales Agents

Sales agents are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.

They will call you “boss,” “madam,” and sometimes even “our landowner.” Their job is to make you feel like this is the best decision of your life.

But remember, their goal is to close a sale.A few things to note:

● Don’t let pressure make you rush into buying.

● Ask them direct questions—if they dodge, be cautious.● Verify all information from a second source.

6. Delays in Allocation

Many real estate companies in Lagos sell land that is yet to be fully developed.

If you’re buying into an estate that promises allocation at a later date, be prepared for possible delays.

Some people wait months or even years before getting their plots.

To avoid frustration:● Ask for a timeline for allocation.

● Find out if other buyers have already received their plots.

● Get everything documented in writing.

7. Development Fees and Other Surprise Costs

One thing Lagos real estate companies will not always tell you upfront is that buying land is just the first step.

There are other costs, such as:

● Survey Plan Fee – Required to register your land.

● Deed of Assignment Fee – Legal documentation of your ownership.

● Development Levy – To build estate roads, drainage, and electricity.

Before making payments, ask for a breakdown of all charges. If they say, “Don’t worry, we will discuss it later,” don’t believe them.

8. Real vs. Fake Companies

Not all real estate companies in Lagos are legitimate. Some are run by land grabbers (Omo Onile) or individuals looking to scam unsuspecting buyers.

To protect yourself:

● Check if the company is registered with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission).

● Ask for reviews from past buyers.

● Visit their office—if it’s a small kiosk, be careful.Final Advice for First-Time Buyers

Buying property in Lagos can be rewarding if you do it right.

Here are a few final tips:

1. Do your research – Don’t just take the company’s word for it.

2. Use a lawyer – A real estate lawyer will save you from expensive mistakes.

3. Be patient – Rushing can lead to regret.

4. Keep records – Save every receipt, agreement, and message exchanged.

At the end of the day, Lagos real estate is like Jollof rice—it’s sweet, but if you don’t cook it well, you might end up with something you didn’t bargain for.

If you need help navigating this journey, feel free to reach out.

I’m always ready to help you secure your piece of Lagos without stress.

STOP LOSING MONEY IN LAGOS REAL ESTATE!

Learn How to Protect Your Investment Today.

LandProperty.ng/free

Your future deserves the assurance of due diligence.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reconstituted the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, dismissing Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure and Group Chief Executive Officer Malam Mele Kyari.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, indicated that the President removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.

The new 11-man board has Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.

1. Ahmadu Musa Kida – Non-Executive Chairman

2. Bashir Bayo Ojulari – Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)

3. Adedapo Segun – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

4. Bello Rabiu – Non-Executive Director (North West)

5. Yusuf Usman – Non-Executive Director (North East)

6. Babs Omotowa – Non-Executive Director (North Central)

7. Austin Avuru – Non-Executive Director (South-South)

8. David Ige – Non-Executive Director (South West)

9. Henry Obih – Non-Executive Director (South East)

10. Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya – Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance

11. Aminu Said Ahmed – Representative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources

Charts credit: White House/ BBC Verify

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on goods from most countries being imported into the US, with even higher rates for what he calls the ”worst offenders”.

But how exactly were these tariffs – essentially taxes on imports – worked out? BBC Verify has been looking at the calculations behind the numbers.

What were the calculations?

When Trump presented a giant cardboard chart detailing the tariffs in the White House Rose Garden it was initially assumed that the charges were based on a combination of existing tariffs and other trade barriers (like regulations).

But later, the White House published what might look like a complicated mathematical formula.

But the actual exercise boiled down to simple maths: take the trade deficit for the US in goods with a particular country, divide that by the total goods imports from that country and then divide that number by two.

A trade deficit occurs when a country buys (imports) more physical products from other countries than it sells (exports) to them.

For example, the US buys more goods from China than it sells to them – there is a goods deficit of $295bn.

The total amount of goods it buys from China is $440bn. Dividing 295 by 440 gets you to 67% and you divide that by two and round up. Therefore the tariff imposed on China is 34%.

Similarly, when it applied to the EU, the White House’s formula resulted in a 20% tariff.

Are the Trump tariffs ‘reciprocal’?

Many commentators have pointed out that these tariffs are not reciprocal.

Reciprocal would mean they were based on what countries already charge the US in the form of existing tariffs, plus non-tariff barriers (things like regulations that drive up costs).

But the White House’s official methodology document makes clear that they have not calculated this for all the countries on which they have imposed tariffs.

Instead the tariff rate was calculated on the basis that it would eliminate the US’s goods trade deficit with each country.

Trump has broken away from the formula in imposing tariffs on countries that buy more goods from the US than they sell to it.

For example the US does not currently run goods trade deficit with the UK. Yet the UK has been hit with a 10% tariff.

In total, more than 100 countries are covered by the new tariff regime.‘

Lots of broader impacts’Trump believes the US is getting a bad deal in global trade.

In his view, other countries flood US markets with cheap goods – which hurts US companies and costs jobs.

At the same time, these countries are putting up barriers that make US products less competitive abroad.So by using tariffs to eliminate trade deficits, Trump hopes to revive US manufacturing and protect jobs.

‎‎‎But will this new tariff regime achieve the desired outcome?

BBC Verify has spoken to a number of economists. The overwhelming view is that while the tariffs might reduce the goods deficit between the US and individual countries, they will not reduce the overall deficit between the US and rest of the world.

“Yes, it will reduce bilateral trade deficits between the US and these countries.

But there will obviously be lots of broader impacts that are not captured in the calculation”, says Professor Jonathan Portes of King’s College, London.

That’s because the US’ existing overall deficit is not driven solely by trade barriers, but by how the US economy works.For one,

Americans spend and invest more than they earn and that gap means the US buys more from the world than it sells. So as long as that continues, the US may continue to keep running a deficit despite increasing tariffs with it global trading partners.

Some trade deficits can also exist for a number of legitimate reasons – not just down to tariffs. For example, buying food that is easier or cheaper to produce in other countries’ climates.

Thomas Sampson of the London School of Economics said: “The formula is reverse engineered to rationalise charging tariffs on countries with which the US has a trade deficit.

There is no economic rationale for doing this and it will cost the global economy dearly.”