Business
What to Expect from Real Estate Companies in Lagos As A First-Time Buyer by Dennis Isong

“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.
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Business
We are under attack – NNPCL GCEO, Ojulari

Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has announced that he and his management team are currently under serious threat.
Ojulari said his offense is the reforms he has introduced in the oil and gas sector in line with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu to turn around the moribund refinery.
He raised this alarm on Thursday, lamenting that some powerful elements are plotting to remove him from the seat.
The NNPCL boss raised the alarm when he received the delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the company’s headquarters, Abuja.
Details shortly…
Business
Govt, stakeholders to explore industrial policy at W’Africa Manufacturing summit
The collaboration will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 2025, in Lagos.

•The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh
The Federal Government has committed to exploring strategies for implementing the new National Industrial Policy to scale industries and transform West Africa’s economic future, alongside manufacturing stakeholders at an upcoming summit.
The collaboration will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 2025, in Lagos.
The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos, declared that Nigeria will build its industrial policy on past executive orders targeted at promoting local content, but with a stronger push through the Nigeria First policy.
He said, “The previous administrations have tried to enable industrial growth by coming up with various executive orders.
Those include Executive Orders Three and Five, which were targeted at matters about public procurement and giving priority to Nigerian-made goods.
With the announcement of the Nigeria First policy, what becomes of it will be a function of what this administration does.”
Enoh noted that the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment would follow up on the policy with a nationwide campaign to promote patronage of Nigerian goods and services.
He explained, “The hope is that in the next few months, we’re going to start a national campaign on buying made-in-Nigeria goods and services to follow up the presidential pronouncement of the Nigeria First policy.
We found out that the country could earn about N3tn more in the short term if we can run a successful campaign that can also shift the attitudes of Nigerians.
(The Punch)
Business
Access Holdings names Innocent Ike new GMD/CEO
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said Ike’s appointment signals a new phase for the group.He said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as we move forward. “

• Innocent Ike
Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.
The announcement, contained in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, comes hours after Roosevelt Ogbonna resigned from the company’s board in compliance with new corporate governance rules issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Ike takes over from Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has steered the company in acting capacity for the past 18 months after the death of former Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, in 2024.
She will now return to her role as Executive Director, Business Support.
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said Ike’s appointment signals a new phase for the group.He said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as we move forward. “
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