1st Choice Properties has launched a new mobile application aimed at ensuring safer and more transparent real estate transactions across Nigeria.
The app was unveiled in Lagos by the company’s Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Oladapo, and General Manager, Mr Gbenga Agbana. They said the platform was created to help Nigerians rent, buy and lease landed properties without the risk of fraud or dealing with unqualified agents.
Oladapo explained that the application lists only verified property owners and is structured to safeguard the interests of both landlords and tenants. According to him, the company conducts comprehensive background checks on all parties involved in transactions, clearly defining landlord–tenant relationships as well as their rights and obligations.
He said the initiative was driven by the need to educate Nigerians on best practices when renting homes, purchasing properties or acquiring land. Oladapo noted that the company is committed to ensuring that Nigerians can secure housing without facing sudden eviction or disputes arising from unclear ownership or documentation.
The managing director stated that 1st Choice Properties ensures all relevant documents are properly verified before any payments are made, adding that the firm represents either landlords or tenants to guarantee fairness and transparency in transactions.
Oladapo also disclosed that the app was developed to address the massive financial losses recorded annually in Nigeria’s real estate and landholding sector. He estimated that more than ₦100 billion is lost each year to fake and fraudulent property transactions, describing the situation as a major threat to the credibility of the industry.
He said the real estate sector has been severely affected by the activities of quacks and fraudsters, but stressed that 1st Choice Properties is working to restore confidence in real estate practice through a strong legal framework. According to him, the company is collaborating with both state and federal governments with the goal of eliminating corruption and incompetence in the sector.
Oladapo further urged the government to take tougher action against unregistered real estate agents. He called for stricter enforcement measures, including arrests, and advocated the introduction of compulsory certification for anyone operating in Nigeria’s real estate industry.
Also speaking at the event, Agbana said the new app would protect millions of Nigerians from losing money to fraudulent dealers and land speculators. He explained that the platform enables potential investors to identify secure investment opportunities while avoiding disputed properties, assets seized by anti-corruption agencies, or properties lacking proper legal backing.
Agbana lamented the billions of naira lost annually to corruption in the housing and property sector, describing the situation as unacceptable. He expressed confidence that the 1st Choice Properties app would significantly reduce corruption and restore trust in real estate transactions.
Both executives highlighted Nigeria’s severe housing deficit, noting that fewer than 10 per cent of Nigerians own homes. They added that weak regulation has made Nigerians in the diaspora particularly vulnerable, costing them billions of naira each year through fraudulent property schemes.
Agbana noted that corruption, land grabbing and exploitation by unscrupulous individuals continue to discourage genuine investment, both locally and from the diaspora. He stressed that curbing these practices is essential to attracting sustainable investment and ensuring long-term growth in Nigeria’s real estate sector.
