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ARTICLE · 27 JUNE 2025

Buying A House In Lagos

Balogun Harold Legal
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Perhaps, the most significant risk faced by house buyers in Lagos today is the risk of demolition due to non-compliance with urban and regional planning laws.

NigeriaReal Estate and Construction
Olubunmi Abayomi-Olukunle
Olubunmi Abayomi-Olukunle
Adekunle Adewale
Adekunle Adewale

Perhaps, the most significant risk faced by house buyers in Lagos today is the risk of demolition due to non-compliance with urban and regional planning laws. In recent years, the Lagos State Government has intensified enforcement efforts, leading to the demolition of houses in residential estates and developments built in violation of planning approvals or on restricted land.

Why This Risk Persists

1. Low Barrier to Entry for Developers

The real estate sector in Lagos remains largely unregulated in practice. Anyone can become a developer, regardless of professional background, and sell housing units to the public. While the state has introduced a legal requirement for developers to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), enforcement has been weak. This creates a market where buyers cannot easily distinguish between credible developers and those cutting regulatory corners.

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