Tackling the Menace of Quackery in the Real Estate Space

ESV Aigbekaen, Osaro Kelvin,

Nigeria’s real estate sector has emerged as one of the country’s most vibrant and attractive investment destinations. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing demand for housing have created significant opportunities for developers, investors, and property professionals. However, alongside this growth has come a persistent challenge that threatens the credibility and sustainability of the industry: quackery.

Quackery in real estate refers to the activities of unqualified, unregistered, and unethical individuals who operate outside professional standards. These individuals often present themselves as estate agents, property consultants, developers, or brokers despite lacking the necessary training, certification, and legal authorization to practice. Their actions have contributed significantly to fraud, disputes, and financial losses within the sector.

One of the most common manifestations of quackery is the sale of properties without proper ownership verification. Unsuspecting buyers are sometimes sold land that is already owned by someone else, under government acquisition, or entangled in legal disputes. In many cases, victims only discover the problem after making substantial payments. Such incidents not only result in financial hardship but also erode public confidence in the real estate market.

The rise of social media and digital platforms has further complicated the issue. While technology has made property marketing easier, it has also provided an avenue for fraudulent operators to advertise non-existent properties and deceive prospective buyers. Attractive photographs, unrealistic prices, and false claims are often used to lure victims into making payments without conducting proper due diligence.

Beyond financial fraud, quackery also affects professional standards within the industry. Unqualified practitioners often lack knowledge of property laws, valuation principles, documentation procedures, and ethical requirements. Their involvement in transactions can lead to poorly drafted agreements, ownership disputes, and prolonged litigation. The consequences are felt not only by individual clients but also by the broader economy, as investor confidence is weakened.

Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated effort from regulators, professional bodies, government agencies, and consumers. Professional organizations must intensify efforts to enforce standards and expose illegal practitioners. Regulatory agencies should strengthen monitoring mechanisms and impose stricter penalties on individuals found engaging in unauthorized real estate practice. The risk of prosecution must be high enough to discourage fraudulent activities.

Public awareness is equally important. Many victims of real estate fraud fall prey because they fail to verify the credentials of those they engage. Prospective buyers, tenants, and investors should be encouraged to work only with licensed professionals and conduct thorough background checks before entering into transactions. Verifying land titles, obtaining legal advice, and demanding proper documentation should become standard practice rather than an afterthought.

Technology can also serve as part of the solution. Digital property registries, online verification systems, and transparent land administration processes can help reduce opportunities for fraud. By making ownership records easier to access and verify, government can significantly improve transparency in property transactions.

Furthermore, educational institutions and professional bodies should continue to promote training and certification programs that equip practitioners with the knowledge and ethics required to operate effectively. A professionalized industry is less vulnerable to exploitation by unqualified individuals.

The fight against quackery is not merely about protecting professional interests; it is about safeguarding investments, promoting transparency, and strengthening trust in the real estate sector. As Nigeria continues to grapple with a housing deficit and seeks to attract greater investment into the industry, eliminating quackery must become a national priority. A real estate market built on professionalism, accountability, and integrity will ultimately benefit investors, homeowners, practitioners, and the economy as a whole.

Aigbekaen, a registered Estate Surveyor and Valuer contributed this piece from Abuja, Nigeria