How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Nigeria in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

If you want to know how to become a real estate agent in Nigeria, most of what you will read online is either outdated or vague. Some guides say you need a degree. Others say there are no rules at all. Both are wrong in 2026.

This guide is for anyone starting a real estate career in Nigeria: graduates, career switchers, side hustlers, and salespeople moving into property. It covers Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, because the rules are not the same in every state.

By the end, you will know what the law requires, what it costs to start, how agents actually get paid, and exactly what to do in your first 90 days.

Do you need a degree or licence to become a real estate agent in Nigeria?

No degree is required to work as a real estate agent in Nigeria. There is no single federal licence for agents. The main legal requirement is state registration: in Lagos, every person or organisation doing real estate business must register with LASRERA. Outside Lagos, rules vary by state, so check before you practise.

The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority Law was signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on 7 February 2022, according to an overview of the law published on Mondaq. The law created LASRERA to register, monitor and discipline real estate practitioners in the state.

Under Section 48 of that law, failure to register attracts a fine of at least ₦250,000 for an individual and ₦1 million for an organisation, according to the law firm Tope Babade & Co. [VERIFY: confirm Section 48 penalty amounts against the gazetted LASRERA Law]

Enforcement is real. The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing said in May 2026 that LASRERA had recovered more than ₦270 million from fraudulent estate agents between 2025 and 2026, as reported by The Telegraph Nigeria.

If you plan to work in Lagos, read our full guide on whether it is illegal to work as an unregistered agent in Lagos before you take your first client.

Eze Maximus, founder of Win Realty Limited in Port Harcourt, puts it simply: "You don't need a degree to sell property. You need knowledge, registration and a written mandate."

What about Port Harcourt, Abuja and other states?

Rivers State has no LASRERA equivalent in force yet. The Rivers State House of Assembly began debating a Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill in February 2025, according to Niger Delta Connect.

For Abuja and other states, confirm with the state ministry of housing or lands before you start. Even where no state law applies, register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Serious clients and developers will ask for it.

Real estate agent vs estate surveyor: what is the difference?

A real estate agent markets and sells or lets property for a commission. An estate surveyor and valuer is a degree-trained professional registered with the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON). Only registered estate surveyors can legally sign off on property valuations in Nigeria. Agents should never present themselves as surveyors.

ESVARBON was established by Decree No. 24 of 1975, now the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Act. The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) is the professional body those surveyors belong to.

Here is the practical split:

There is also tension between these groups. ESVARBON and NIESV went to court over whether Lagos could make estate surveyors register with LASRERA, and a court backed Lagos, according to The Guardian Nigeria.

You will also hear about the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN). REDAN is for development companies, not individual agents. Its membership is open to limited liability companies, registered societies and partnerships involved in real estate development.

How to become a real estate agent in Nigeria: 8 steps

The fastest legal route is to learn the basics, register your business, register with your state regulator if one exists, join an established firm and get every deal in writing. Here are the eight steps in order, from day one to your first closed deal.

1. Choose your lane. Decide between land and home sales for developers, rentals (lettings) or resale brokerage. Each has a different sales cycle and client type. Start with one.

2. Learn the documents and the process. Know the Land Use Act 1978, Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Governor's Consent, survey plan, deed of assignment and how a transaction moves from inspection to handover.

3. Get structured training. Learn prospecting, objection handling and closing from people who have actually closed deals. Structured programmes like CRESP, the Certified Real Estate Sales Professional programme shorten this stage.

4. Register your business with the CAC. A business name registration gives you a legal identity, a business bank account and credibility with developers. [VERIFY: current CAC business name registration fee]

5. Register with LASRERA if you work in Lagos. Do this before you collect any fee. Outside Lagos, check your state's current rules.

6. Join a firm. Sign up with a developer's realtor network, an agency or a property firm so you have real listings and a mentor from day one.

7. Get a written mandate on every deal. Never work on a verbal promise. A mandate states who you represent, the property and your commission.

8. Run inspections and close properly. Book the inspection, confirm the title documents, guide the buyer to pay into the company account, and follow the deal through to the deed of assignment and receipt.

What should you say to your first client?

Your first conversation decides whether a lead becomes a deal. Ask about budget, timeline, purpose and who else is involved in the decision before you show a single property. Our guide on how to ask the right questions in your first client conversation gives you the exact questions.

How much does it cost to start a real estate career in Nigeria?

Starting a real estate career in Nigeria can cost very little outside Lagos, but Lagos registration is the largest single cost. The main costs are CAC registration, LASRERA registration in Lagos, training, phone and data, and transport for inspections. You do not need an office or paid ads in your first months.

LASRERA's fee has been controversial. Legit.ng reported in 2025 that stakeholders asked Lagos to review a ₦1 million annual registration fee for agents and developers. [VERIFY: current LASRERA fee for the individual agent category on the official portal]

Eze Maximus, founder of Win Realty Limited in Port Harcourt: "Your first investment is not an office. It is knowledge, a reliable phone and transport money for inspections.

How do real estate agents get paid in Nigeria?

Real estate agents in Nigeria earn commission, a percentage of the sale price or annual rent, paid when a deal closes. Sales commission commonly runs between 5% and 10% of the price, and lettings around 10% of annual rent by market convention. No single federal law fixes the rate, so your written agreement decides it.

Why a written mandate matters more than ever

A mandate is the written authority to market a property or represent a buyer. Without one, you may not get paid at all.

In Ojo v. SDV Nigeria Limited (2025), the Supreme Court held that an agent is not entitled to commission just for introducing a buyer. The agent must show the introduction was the main and effective cause of the sale, according to a BusinessDay case report. The agent in that case had claimed $1.25 million and lost.

Eze Maximus, founder of Win Realty Limited in Port Harcourt: "In 2026, 'I introduced them' is not a commission claim. A signed mandate is."

Worked naira example

These figures show how the maths works. Your actual rate depends on your agreement with the developer or client.

If you work under a firm, your share may be split with the firm. Agree the split in writing before you start.

Is there a cap on agency fees in Lagos?

Lagos has a proposed cap but, as of the latest reports, not a new law. The Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill would cap agency fees at 5% of annual rent. Legal 500 reported in mid-2026 that the bill was still at committee stage. [VERIFY: whether the Lagos Tenancy Bill has been passed and signed as of November 2026]

Which firms should a new realtor join first?

A new realtor should join a firm that gives you genuine listings, training, clear commission terms in writing and verified title documents. For most beginners, a developer's realtor network is the easiest entry point because the inventory and marketing materials already exist. Choose by integrity first, commission second.

Before you join any firm, ask three questions. Can I see the title documents for what I am selling? When exactly is commission paid? Is the commission agreement in writing?

How long does it take to close your first deal?

There is no published industry figure for how long a new agent takes to close a first deal in Nigeria. It depends on your lane, your daily activity, the quality of your firm's listings and your follow-up. Rentals usually close faster than land or home sales, which often need several inspections and family approval.

The agents who close early share four habits:

• They talk to new prospects every working day.

• They book inspections, not just chats.

• They follow up for weeks, not days.

• They track their numbers: conversations, inspections, offers and closings.

From my desk: what I would do in my first 90 days today

If I were starting again today, in Port Harcourt or Lagos, this is the 90-day plan I would follow.

Days 1 to 30: Foundation

• Register my business name with the CAC, and with LASRERA if I am in Lagos.

• Join one credible firm and learn every document on its best three listings.

• Write down 100 people I know and tell each of them, personally, what I now do.

Days 31 to 60: Pipeline

• Post useful content three times a week on WhatsApp Status and Instagram.

• Book at least two inspections every week.

• Practise my answers to the five objections I hear most.

Days 61 to 90: Conversion

• Follow up every warm lead on a fixed schedule.

• Get a signed mandate before any serious negotiation.

• Review my numbers weekly and double down on the channel that brings inspections.

Eze Maximus, founder of Win Realty Limited in Port Harcourt: "Your first deal will not come from luck. It will come from the inspections you booked when nobody was watching."

E. FAQ

Can I do real estate as a side hustle in Nigeria? Yes. Many realtors start part-time while keeping a job. You still need to follow the same rules, including LASRERA registration if you work in Lagos. The constraint is time: inspections often happen on weekdays, so plan for them.

Do I need an office to start as a realtor? No. Most new realtors work from their phone and their firm's office. An office helps credibility later, but it is not a legal requirement to start. Spend that money on training and transport for inspections first.

Is CRESP a licence to practise real estate in Nigeria? No. CRESP is a sales training and certification programme, not a government licence. It does not replace LASRERA registration in Lagos or any state requirement. It teaches you how to find clients, handle objections and close.

Can I sell property in Lagos if I live in Port Harcourt or Abuja? Yes, but if you are doing real estate business in Lagos, LASRERA's registration rules apply to you. Many agents partner with a registered Lagos firm for inspections and paperwork. Confirm your obligations with LASRERA before you collect any fee.

Should I join a professional association like AEAN? Joining the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN) can help with networking and credibility. It is not a substitute for state registration. Check what the association offers before paying dues.

How much does a real estate agent earn monthly in Nigeria? There is no fixed monthly income for most agents because pay is commission-based. Earnings depend on the number and value of deals you close. Some months pay nothing and one deal can change your quarter, so manage your money accordingly.

F. HOWTO STEPS

1. Choose your lane: Pick land and home sales, lettings or resale brokerage, and focus on one.

2. Learn the documents: Understand the Land Use Act 1978, C of O, Governor's Consent, survey plan and deed of assignment.

3. Get structured training: Learn prospecting, objection handling and closing from practitioners with real results.

4. Register with the CAC: Register a business name to get a legal identity and business bank account.

5. Register with LASRERA in Lagos: Complete state registration before collecting any fee; check other states' rules.

6. Join a firm: Sign up with a credible developer network, agency or property firm.

7. Get a written mandate: Put the client, property and commission in writing before you work a deal.

8. Inspect and close properly: Verify titles, route payment to the company account and follow through to the deed of assignment.

Registration makes you legal, but it does not teach you how to find clients, book inspections or close; that is exactly what CRESP, the Certified Real Estate Sales Professional programme, was built to do.