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White Elephant Projects Cause Stampedes In Nigeria’s Real Estate Sector

  • By Chidera Mbonu
  • May 6, 2024
  • 181 Views


Nigeria’s real estate sector gallops forward, fueled by a surging population and economic ambitions. But a dark horse lurks within this promising stampede: white elephant projects. These colossal developments, often incomplete, poorly conceived and executed, threaten to trample the very growth they were meant to symbolize.

At the heart of the issue lies the distortion of land value. These white elephants, with their grand visions and hefty budgets, inflate land prices in surrounding areas. This forced appreciation, fueled by speculation rather than genuine demand, creates a bubble. Developers, eager to capitalize, build structures often exceeding actual market needs. The result? A glut of vacant apartments, shopping malls echoing with emptiness, and office spaces gathering dust.

The ramifications extend far beyond aesthetics. Infrastructure, strained by the sudden influx of mammoth projects, groans under the pressure. Power grids struggle, roads buckle under unforeseen traffic burdens, and essential services sputter. The environment suffers too, as sprawling developments encroach on green spaces and disrupt delicate ecosystems.

Sadly, the most profound impact might be financial. With vacancy rates soaring, property yields plummet. Investors, lured by the mirage of forced appreciation, find themselves holding depreciating assets. Banks burdened by non-performing loans teeter precariously. The dream of a thriving real estate sector curdles into a potential economic nightmare.

Flipping away from the bad side of the coin gifts a cure presented by professional advisory and consultancy, such as provided by Muna Real Estate, that are needed to invalid the over ambitious purchases.

A cautionary tale unfolds in Abuja. The Abuja Millennium Tower, envisioned as a gleaming metropolis, has become a monument to unfulfilled promises. Years behind schedule and billions over budget, it stands as a stark reminder of the perils of white elephant projects.

So how do we avert this stampede towards disaster? 

Muna real estate turns on the light at the end of the tunnel by providing real estate consulting and a three-pronged approach:

  • Scrutinize Before Sanctioning: Rigorous feasibility studies and transparent planning processes are crucial. We acknowledge projects driven by genuine market needs, not prestige or political gains.
  • Focus On Sustainability: We prioritize developments that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure and minimize environmental impact. Smart, organic growth is far preferable to disruptive, resource-guzzling giants.
  • Prioritize Organic Growth: Encouraging smaller, well-planned projects catering to specific needs, fosters a more sustainable market. This allows organic appreciation based on actual demand, not inflated speculation.

1 thought on “White Elephant Projects Cause Stampedes In Nigeria’s Real Estate Sector”

  1. Thank you for this. Nigeria actually has prospects but our government need to focus on projects that deliver tangible benefits to the Nigerian people. I hope it gets better.

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