Most frequently, many Nigerians ask questions about varying land sizes in Nigeria. Knowing the variations between the different sizes and their precise measurements is important.

In Nigeria, land is measured in Hectares, Acres, Meters, and Feet. These measurements are affected by factors that include but are not limited to, economic investment and development patterns, human and environmental factors which could lead to mass migration, and artificial scarcity of lands suitable for development.

Plots

A plot is an arbitrary term used to describe a land division made in a particular area by the developers or government for the purpose of building or farming.

See also : Western Hiltop Estate

According to Nigeria’s land division, 50 x 100ft is the appropriate size for a plot of land suitable for a house construction that can accommodate a standard house with a small compound. This size can vary for different reasons.

Hectares (ha)

A hectare, measuring 100m x 100m Or 328ft x 328ft Or 10,000sqm,  is the least known metric unit. It is about two and a half acres consisting of 15 plots. 

Acres

An acre, almost the equivalent of a standard football field,  is the standard unit of measurement popularly used by land sellers. It is equivalent to the size of a standard football field. The product of any rectangular plot of land gives a total of 4,046sqm Or 43,560sq ft. An acre consists of 6 plots each measuring 60 x 120ft. 

Variations in Measurements

Land location, possession, and circumstances leading to a transaction have been the major factors for the variations in measurements seen inland sizes in Nigeria.

Initially, plots were approximately 1000sqm but as land prices went up you get the same quote per plot but this can be 400sqm or less in government reserved areas in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and a few other states.

See also: Property for sale in Enugu

New layouts in Calabar offer up to 1,100sqm for commercial plots.

For places in the core Niger-Delta where land issues are very touchy, you’d be lucky to get anything above 450 sqm.

Of course, there are states that partition with 60′ x 100, 60′ x 120, 80′ x 120, etc. Normally a corner piece gets more width.

In Lagos State, the standard size of a plot is 60 x 120ft (18m x 36m i.e. 648sqm), while in some other cities of the country, plots are measured in 50 x100ft.

A building that can fit into a 50′ x 100′ plot of land in Benin might not be allowed in say Delta or Lagos State because they need longer setbacks (6m) from the road. Lekki needs 9m!

In Edo State and Port-Harcourt, the standard measurement is 50ft x 100ft.

In Abuja, plots allocated by the FCTA come in different sizes and you cannot say a plot of land in Abuja is always 60′ X 120′.

It is a general language and half-informed professionals that use plot loosely to mean any delineated parcel of land. But as far as real property is concerned the above holds. Anything higher is the surveyor wounding seller, anything less is wounding the buyer.