Macroeconomic indicators showing signs of stabilisation, industry players have expressed cautious optimism that targeted reforms and improved financing conditions could strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s real estate sector in 2026, positioning it as a steady contributor to economic recovery.
Experts said sustained policy consistency, expanded infrastructure delivery, and improved access to affordable finance could unlock growth across low, middle and high-income housing segments.
They noted that initiatives such as the Ministry of Finance Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), if effectively managed and scaled, could help narrow Nigeria’s housing deficit while stimulating investment and job creation.
The views were shared at the 10th Alphacrux 2026 Real Estate Outlook held in Lagos, where developers, investors and finance professionals examined market prospects under the theme “Amplifying Resilience in the Real Estate Industry in a Disrupted Global Economy.” Participants also called for closer collaboration between the government and the private sector to ensure reforms translate into tangible improvements in housing supply and affordability.
According to experts, Nigeria’s real estate sector is positioning for greater resilience in 2026, supported by easing inflation, improved foreign exchange stability, and renewed policy reforms, even as developers continue to grapple with rising construction costs, financing constraints, and infrastructure gaps.
The outlook comes as Nigeria adjusts to wide-ranging economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange liberalisation, and tax changes, which have increased costs across several sectors. Despite these pressures, the real estate sector has continued to show relative strength, driven by population growth, rapid urbanisation and a strong culture of home ownership.
The experts further noted that moderating inflation, growing external reserves and renewed foreign investor interest could support a gradual property market recovery, provided access to finance improves and policy implementation remains consistent.
Chief Executive Officer of Alphacrux Limited, Tobi Adama, said real estate remains resilient because shelter is a basic human need and a preferred store of value for individuals and institutions seeking protection against inflation. “People have to live in houses, whether they are young or old,” Adama said, adding that Nigeria’s cultural preference for home ownership continues to sustain demand.
He said recent tax reforms have contributed to higher rents and property prices, as landlords and developers adjust to additional costs, but expressed optimism that improving macroeconomic indicators would support medium-term growth.
Adama highlighted the MREIF as a critical intervention, noting that its interest rate of 9.75 per cent compares favourably with the 28 to 30 per cent rates typical of conventional commercial lending.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian chapter of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Akin Opatola, said resilience in real estate extends beyond pricing to include urban planning, climate preparedness and evolving consumer preferences.
He explained that resilience in Nigeria’s real estate sector has two dimensions: building cities capable of withstanding flooding, climate change and other environmental shocks, and ensuring developments are forward-proofed to respond to changing lifestyles and demand patterns.
Opatola stressed that infrastructure remains critical to reducing development costs, warning that poor road networks, weak security and inconsistent planning approvals increase investor risk and slow expansion into new growth areas.
“Infrastructure is the lifeblood of real estate,” he said, adding that strict adherence to master plans and land administration reforms is essential to prevent project losses and demolitions.
He also noted that banking sector consolidation, which has raised minimum capital requirements for banks to N500 billion, could improve long-term funding for real estate, a sector often avoided by lenders due to its long gestation period.
Opatola underscored Nigeria’s persistent housing deficit, estimated at about four million units in Lagos and roughly 18 million units nationwide, highlighting sustained demand across all income segments.
In this article