Tackling quackery, regulatory fluidity in Abuja Real Estate rental landscape — ESV Fatima Williams

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer ESV Fatima Williams said Tackling quackery and regulatory fluidity in Abuja Real Estate rental landscape is very vital .

She said the real estate rental ecosystem in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria has presents a complex interplay of opportunities, challenges, and evolving regulatory mechanisms.

ESV Willams made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja , saying that as the city continues to expand demographically and economically, the rental market has become a focal point for investors, agents, landlords, and tenants alike.
She however, explained that the beneath its promising façade lies a web of unprofessional practices, regulatory inadequacies, and credibility issues that undermine the sector’s long-term sustainability.

She said reassessing this ecosystem requires a critical look at three fundamental elements: quackery, regulatory fluidity, and reputational consequences.
The Growth of Abuja’s Rental Market
Abuja’s rapid urbanization and its position as Nigeria’s administrative and political hub have fueled a consistent demand for residential and commercial spaces. She emphasized that middle income earners, expatriates, and public servants constitute the bulk of tenants.
“While developers and estate firms strive to meet the growing demand”. She the explained that uncoordinated expansion of the market has created loopholes that opportunistic individuals exploit, leading to distorted pricing, fraudulent transactions, and unprofessional conduct.
She stressed that quackery in the rental market remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting Abuja’s real estate sector. The quackery market
is activities of unqualified, unlicensed, and unscrupulous individuals who pose as estate agents or property consultants. “These impostors often lack the requisite training, ethics, and registration with professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) or the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON)”.
“Their operations often result in multiple rent collections for the same property, falsified ownership documents, and inflated commissions. Beyond financial losses, tenants and landlords suffer psychological distress and erosion of trust in the system”.

She noted that the proliferation of quacks is sustained by weak regulatory enforcement, ignorance among clients, and the informal nature of many rental transactions.
She reiterated that
The NIESV, ESVARBON, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have attempted to streamline operations through licensing requirements, ethical codes, and market standardization.
She stated that a stronger, coordinated regulatory ecosystem is essential to foster transparency and accountability.
Reputational Impacts and Market Credibility
The reputational integrity of Abuja’s real estate market is directly tied to professionalism and regulatory compliance.
Fraud, fake agents, and unethical practices erode public trust and discourage genuine investment. Internationally, such malpractices distort Nigeria’s image as a credible destination for property investment, especially among the diaspora and foreign investors.
She said Professionals in the sector must uphold ethical standards and transparency.
“Firms must maintain verifiable credentials and fair pricing contribute to both their credibility and the stability of the wider market” .
The Way Forward
She said to achieve a sustainable and trustworthy rental ecosystem in Abuja, several measures are critical:
Professional Empowerment: Strengthen the capacity of registered estate surveyors and valuers through continuous professional development and public visibility.
Public Sensitization: Educate clients on verifying professionals and property authenticity before transactions.
Digital Regulation: Develop centralized platforms for agent registration and tenancy documentation to minimize fraud.
Stricter Enforcement: Prosecute offenders promptly to reinforce accountability and
Ethical Reorientation: Promote mentorship and peer review among professionals to ensure consistent ethical standards.
She concluded that
reassessing Abuja’s real estate rental landscape reveals a fragile balance between opportunity and risk. A collective commitment to professionalism, regulatory enforcement, and ethical transparency remains vital to restoring public confidence and achieving sustainable housing development in Nigeria’s capital.