Nigeria infrastructure and real estate regulatory reforms

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s built environment and engineering sectors are advocating for systemic reforms to improve infrastructure quality, regulatory oversight, and technological integration.

Initial discussions focused on the need for a comprehensive overhaul of real estate regulation to combat property fraud and defective titles. Professionals proposed creating a Nigerian Real Estate Regulatory Authority (NRERA) to increase transparency and developer accountability. Additionally, the Nigerian Society of Engineers identified challenges in project completion and maintenance, citing procurement, energy, and high monetary policy rates as significant obstacles to sustainable infrastructure.

Subsequent efforts have shifted toward establishing rigorous technical standards and embracing digital transformation. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is developing standards to support the energy transition, specifically regarding compressed natural gas (CNG). Meanwhile, the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE) has called for the adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance infrastructure resilience and design, while emphasizing that stricter enforcement of building regulations is necessary to prevent structural failures.