Nigeria property fraud remains a major concern as Dr Valentine Mbamalu urges stricter land verification and housing reforms

The Group Managing Director of Touch of Valentine Homes, a subsidiary of TOV Group Limited, Valentine Mbamalu, has identified poor land documentation and fraudulent transactions as major factors discouraging Nigerians from investing in real estate.

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Mbamalu spoke in Lagos during an interview held alongside the launch of the company’s latest estate project, “Plus Lagos,” where he outlined persistent challenges confronting Nigeria’s property sector.

According to him, the company is determined to tackle insecurity and distrust within the industry through proper title verification, public sensitisation and flexible housing initiatives.

Speaking on the growing concerns surrounding Nigeria property fraud, Mbamalu said his experience as a legal practitioner exposed him to numerous cases involving land disputes, fake ownership claims and costly litigation.

“As a lawyer, I have seen so many cases involving land litigation in Nigeria and how people fall victim to different schemes from fraudulent individuals,” he said.

“We have therefore decided at TOV Homes to focus more on the issue of land title documents because ownership begins with proper documentation.”

Mbamalu stressed that many Nigerians underestimate the importance of verifying title documents before purchasing property, warning that mistakes at that stage often result in years of legal battles and devastating financial losses.

“Without having a proper land title document and understanding what it implies to any buyer, we will continue to have problems in the real estate sector. Once you get the title wrong, you have already got everything wrong,” he added.

The property developer revealed that the company now organises quarterly public enlightenment programmes designed to educate prospective buyers on documentation processes, title verification and the dangers associated with purchasing land without legal guidance.

According to him, many buyers avoid engaging lawyers during transactions, despite the critical role legal professionals play in confirming the authenticity of land documents before payment is made.

“A lot of people think they can just wake up and buy property without proper verification. But you need a lawyer for everything you do,” Mbamalu stated.

He noted that legal verification costs are minimal when compared to the emotional and financial hardship caused by fraudulent land deals.

Addressing Nigeria’s wider housing deficit, Mbamalu argued that the real estate sector alone cannot solve the country’s housing challenges without decisive government intervention and economic reforms.

He blamed rising inflation, soaring building material costs and unstable economic conditions for the persistent increase in house prices and rental costs nationwide.

“There is nothing the real estate sector can do if building materials continue to skyrocket; developers can only sell based on the cost of construction and the market realities,” he said.

Mbamalu called on governments at all levels to introduce policies capable of stabilising prices, reducing inflation and strengthening land administration systems to encourage affordable housing development.

He warned that unless urgent reforms are implemented, millions of Nigerians may continue to struggle with rising rents and inaccessible housing opportunities.

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“Until we have stable governance and effective price control mechanisms in the country, affordable housing will continue to remain a major challenge for millions of Nigerians,” he concluded.