Business
How to Run a Profitable Real Estate Company in Nigeria Legally by Dennis Isong
Beyond CAC registration, consider joining professional bodies like the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN).

Starting and running a real estate company in Nigeria can be one of the most rewarding business ventures you’ll ever embark on.
However, while many dream of becoming real estate moguls, only a few actually build businesses that are both profitable and legally sound.
The Nigerian property market is growing, opportunities are abundant, and investors are constantly searching for genuine companies they can trust.
But here’s the truth—success in this business doesn’t come from cutting corners. If you want to know how to run a profitable real estate company in Nigeria legally, you need patience, structure, and a commitment to doing things right from the beginning.
Let’s break this down step by step in five clear sections so that you can see how to move from being just another name in the property industry to becoming a trusted, profitable real estate brand in Nigeria.
1. Why Legality Is the Backbone of Profitability
Let me start with a short story.
Years ago, a young man named Tunde launched a real estate company in Lagos with nothing more than ambition and an Instagram page.
He was quick to advertise “prime” lands at Ibeju-Lekki and Ajah, but behind the glossy flyers was a business with no proper structure, no legal registration, and no real team.
For the first few months, Tunde sold a few plots. But things went downhill fast when one of his buyers discovered that the land he sold had multiple claims.
Lawsuits came in, his reputation collapsed, and in less than a year, the “company” disappeared.
Now compare that with another realtor, Chioma, who started slower but structured her company legally from the beginning.
She registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), joined recognized real estate associations, hired a lawyer to vet every land transaction, and kept proper records. Chioma’s business didn’t just survive—it grew.
Clients trusted her, referrals poured in, and investors even partnered with her firm.The difference is clear: legality is not just a formality—it is the foundation of trust and profitability.
In Nigeria’s real estate industry, where fraud and sharp practices are common, clients are actively searching for companies that are transparent, registered, and reliable. If you want your business to last, running it legally isn’t optional—it’s essential.
2. Building the Right Legal Structure
If you are serious about learning how to run a profitable real estate company in Nigeria legally, your first step is to structure the business properly.
Too many people jump into property sales with only a business name and social media page, but this approach cannot support long-term growth.
The journey begins with registering your company with the CAC. It’s not enough to simply have a business name; you need a registered limited liability company that gives your operations credibility.
With this in place, you can open a corporate bank account, issue receipts properly, and even attract institutional investors who wouldn’t risk doing business with unregistered outfits.
Beyond CAC registration, consider joining professional bodies like the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN).
While membership is not compulsory, it enhances your credibility, gives you access to industry knowledge, and connects you to a network of serious-minded developers.
Don’t ignore tax compliance.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) expects real estate companies to pay their dues, and Lagos State, for instance, has its own land use charges and property-related taxes.
Paying taxes might not look exciting, but nothing damages a company faster than being blacklisted by government agencies for non-compliance.
Another critical aspect is documentation. Every property transaction must be backed by legal documents—deeds of assignment, contracts of sale, surveys, and in some cases, Governor’s Consent.
Employing a competent property lawyer is not a luxury—it is a necessity.When your company is built on this kind of strong legal foundation, clients feel safe with you. They know you won’t disappear tomorrow, and this assurance is what drives long-term profitability.
3. Creating Value Beyond Sales
Too often, new real estate companies think the business is only about buying land at wholesale price and selling it at a markup.
While this model can work temporarily, sustainable profitability comes from creating real value for clients.
Let’s be honest—Nigerian buyers are cautious.
They’ve heard too many stories of fraud, land grabbing, and double allocation. If your company wants to stand out, you must offer more than sales pitches.
This means carrying out thorough due diligence before listing any property. It means being transparent about land titles, clearly explaining the difference between excision, Gazette, and Certificate of Occupancy to clients.
It means having a physical office where clients can find you, rather than running everything from WhatsApp groups.
Consider adding property development to your portfolio.
Many of the most profitable real estate companies in Lagos today didn’t stop at land sales; they moved into building housing estates, smart homes, or rental apartments.
By creating livable spaces, you’re not just selling land—you’re solving the housing deficit in Nigeria, and that is where big profits lie.
Customer service is another area where value is created.
Nigerian real estate buyers want consistent communication, updates on their payments, and after-sales support. Companies that neglect this lose clients quickly.
On the other hand, firms that build long-term relationships enjoy repeat business and endless referrals.
At the heart of it, profitability in real estate doesn’t come from hype; it comes from the steady reputation you build by delivering real value that clients can see and touch.
4. Managing Finances and Operations Responsibly
Even if your company is legally registered and you’re creating value, poor financial management can sink the entire operation.
In Nigeria, where real estate often involves large sums of money, accountability is everything.Start with separating business money from personal money.
Too many small real estate firms collapse because owners treat client deposits as personal spending cash.
This is dangerous. Open a corporate account, track all inflows and outflows, and make sure every transaction is documented.
Hire an accountant or at least use accounting software. This will help you calculate profits, manage expenses, and prepare for tax season.
Investors and partners will only take you seriously if your financial records are transparent.
Operationally, surround yourself with the right team.
You need surveyors, lawyers, marketers, and customer service reps who understand the business.
A one-man show may work at the beginning, but real estate is too complex to be handled alone.Marketing also deserves attention.
In today’s world, a profitable Nigerian real estate company must embrace digital tools—social media campaigns, email newsletters, virtual tours, and even drone footage of estates.
However, don’t rely on hype alone. Authentic storytelling and education work better than exaggerated claims.
Clients appreciate honesty, especially when buying property in an environment filled with mistrust.
By keeping your finances and operations clean, you not only avoid legal troubles but also set your company up for sustainable profit growth.
5. Building Trust and Reputation for Long-Term Success
Finally, no real estate company in Nigeria can be truly profitable without trust. The industry has been tarnished by fraudsters and fake agents, so standing out as a transparent and reliable company is your strongest weapon.
Trust is built when you keep your promises. If you say a property has a C of O, it must truly have a C of O.
If you say allocation will take place in three months, make sure it happens. Nigerians may forgive small mistakes, but they do not forgive dishonesty.
Reputation grows when your past clients become your loudest marketers. Referrals are gold in real estate.
A satisfied client in Canada will tell his cousin in Abuja, and before you know it, more sales come in without extra advertising.Community engagement also matters.
Host property tours, publish informative articles, educate first-time buyers, and position your company as more than a seller—you should be a trusted advisor.
When your name is consistently linked with honesty, professionalism, and transparency, profitability becomes inevitable.
Running a profitable real estate company in Nigeria legally isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon of building credibility, operating with structure, and putting clients’ interests first. It takes longer than shortcuts, but the rewards are lasting.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering how to run a profitable real estate company in Nigeria legally, the answer is simple but powerful: structure your business properly, operate transparently, create genuine value, manage finances responsibly, and build a reputation rooted in trust.
It may sound slower than the flashy shortcuts you see online, but it is the only path that leads to lasting success in Nigeria’s real estate industry.
Real estate in Nigeria is full of opportunities, but it will reward only those who respect the law and build with integrity.
If you are ready to take this journey, don’t just think about the quick sale—think about the legacy you are building.
Because in this business, legality is not just about avoiding trouble; it is the very foundation of profitability.
Business
PENGASSAN – Dangote Rift: A needless attack on private enterprise

The Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has described the rift between Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) as unfortunate, and a needless attack on private enterprise.
He noted that the strike had far-reaching implications on residents and businesses, as factories suffered cuts in production schedules, with a hike in transportation fare.
Fielding questions from reporters at MAN House, yesterday, while announcing the association’s coming Annual General Meeting (AGM), he revealed that imported products, which were not suffering disruption, were likely to fill the gap and if the rift rears its head again, it would affect daily workers and people in the logistics value chain that rely on the products made in those factories.
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN has said it decided to suspend its two-day strike to protect the jobs of its members in Dangote Refinery.The President, Festus Osifo, explained that the union was unsatisfied with the posting of about 800 sacked staff to Dangote’s subsidiaries to prevent job loss.
Business
FG Spends $2.86bn on External Debts Servicing – CBN
By August 2025, debt service climbed to $302.3m, which was $22.35m or 8 per cent higher than the $279.95m of August 2024.

The Federal Government spent a total of $2.86 billion to service external debt in the first eight months of 2025.
This was disclosed in the international payment data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The figure shows that external debts accounted for 69.1 percent of the country’s total foreign payments of $4.14 billion in the period.
In the same eight-month stretch of 2024, debt service stood at $3.06 billion, representing 70.7 percent of total foreign payments of $4.33 billion.
The figures show that while the absolute value of debt service fell by $198m between 2024 and 2025.
The share of debt in overall foreign payments has remained persistently high, with about seven out of every ten dollars leaving the country used to meet debt obligations.
The monthly breakdown highlights the volatility of Nigeria’s repayment schedule:
In January 2025, $540.67m was spent compared with $560.52m in January 2024, a fall of $19.85m or 3.5 per cent.
February 2025 recorded $276.73m, slightly below the $283.22m in February 2024, down by $6.49m or 2.3 per cent.March 2025 surged to $632.36m against $276.17m in March 2024, an increase of $356.19m or 129 per cent.
In April 2025, payments reached $557.79m, which was $342.59m or 159 per cent higher than the $215.20m of April 2024.
May 2025 stood at $230.92m, sharply lower than the $854.37m in May 2024, a drop of $623.45m or 73 per cent.
June 2025 rose to $143.39m compared with $50.82m in June 2024, a rise of $92.57m or 182 per cent.
July 2025 fell to $179.95m, down by $362.55m or 66.8 per cent from $542.5m in July 2024.
By August 2025, debt service climbed to $302.3m, which was $22.35m or 8 per cent higher than the $279.95m of August 2024.
Business
ECOWAS Bank okays $308.63m for Nigeria, Guinea
The bank gave the approval during its 93rd Ordinary Session convened at the it’s headquarters in Lomé, the Togolese capital.

ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), has approved $308.631 million for the implementation of various projects in Taraba State, Nigeria, and a $40 million credit line for Vista Bank, Guinea, to bolster trade-related activities, including import-export operations and commercial value chains.
The bank gave the approval during its 93rd Ordinary Session convened at the it’s headquarters in Lomé, the Togolese capital.
President and Chairman of Board of Directors of the bank, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, said the newly approved financing would advance strategic public and private sector initiatives, aligned with EBID’s mandate to promote sustainable development throughout the Economic Community of West African States by strengthening regional integration and fostering economic diversification.
The approved facilities include the $98.18 for a 50 MW Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Taraba State, Nigeria, , which will augment the supply of reliable, clean electricity to spur inclusive economic development, alleviate energy poverty, and improve environmental sustainability.
Anticipated benefits include direct electricity access for roughly 390,000 individuals, enhanced power reliability for at least 200 public institutions, the creation of 400 direct jobs during construction, and approximately 50 permanent operational roles.
The bank noted that an estimated 1,200–1,500 indirect jobs were expected to emerge across supply chains, maintenance services,and small businesses.
Another facility is the $79.219 million modern rice processing complex and 10,000-hectare irrigated rice production unit also in Taraba State.
Also included is the $91.232 million facility for Taraba State Industrial Park, an initiative conceived to accelerate local industrialisation and economic diversification through the establishment of a modern, integrated industrial ecosystem.
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