Property fraud has become one of Nigeria’s most pervasive and costly forms of everyday corruption, draining billions of naira from individuals and undermining confidence in the housing market.
From forged land ownership documents and disputed titles to the multiple sale of a single property and rent collection by unregistered agents, thousands of Nigerians lose their hard-earned money each year while attempting to rent, buy, or invest in real estate.
The risk is particularly high in major urban centres such as Lagos and Abuja, where intense housing demand combines with weak regulation.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, the danger is even greater. Distance from home, fragmented land documentation systems, and reliance on middlemen often leave them vulnerable to land grabbers and unscrupulous developers.
Beyond individual financial losses, property fraud erodes trust in Nigeria’s real estate market. Industry observers estimate that the country loses more than ₦100 billion annually to fake and fraudulent property transactions.
Despite rapid urbanisation and population growth, fewer than 10 per cent of Nigerians own homes, according to sector estimates, intensifying pressure on renters and first-time buyers.
Weak regulation and the proliferation of unregistered agents have allowed fraud to thrive, costing Nigerians at home and abroad billions of naira every year while worsening the country’s already severe housing deficit.
In response, 1st Choice Properties has unveiled a mobile application designed to facilitate safer, more transparent, and verified real estate transactions.
The app allows users to rent, buy, and lease properties with reduced fraud risk by listing only verified landlords and property owners.
According to the company, the platform conducts a comprehensive verification process for both landlords and tenants before transactions are completed.
It clearly defines landlord–tenant relationships, ensures that proper documentation is in place before payments are made, and helps protect users from common scams such as disputed land sales and sudden eviction claims.
Beyond transactions, the platform also aims to educate Nigerians on best practices in renting and property acquisition, helping users understand their rights and responsibilities before making financial commitments.
The launch reflects a growing trend of digital real estate platforms seeking to formalise Nigeria’s largely informal property market.
Across the sector, proptech solutions are introducing digital listings, payment systems, title verification tools and, in some states, supporting efforts to digitise land registries.
Elsewhere in Africa, similar platforms in countries such as Kenya and South Africa have recorded success in reducing fraud by combining technology with legal enforcement, particularly in transactions involving diaspora investors.
However, challenges remain. The app operates within a largely unregulated environment, where fraudulent agents continue to function freely and land documentation standards vary widely across states.
Without stronger government intervention—such as mandatory certification of real estate agents and stricter penalties for offenders—technology alone may not fully eliminate fraud.
There are also concerns around digital access and trust, especially among low-income groups and older Nigerians who still rely heavily on traditional agents.
Conclusion
Real estate fraud continues to drain billions of naira from Nigeria’s economy while deepening the country’s housing crisis.
Against this backdrop, 1st Choice Properties’ mobile app represents a timely intervention, offering a verified, technology-driven platform that prioritises transparency, legality and public education.
While it cannot resolve deep-seated regulatory failures on its own, the initiative marks a meaningful step toward rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s real estate sector.
With stronger government support, such innovations could significantly improve investor confidence and help make property transactions safer in an industry long associated with fraud.
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