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
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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