DEPARTMENT OF ESTATE MANAGEMNT

This study assessed the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices among real estate developers in Benin City, Nigeria, with a view to promoting sustainable property development. The study sought to examine the profiles of real estate development companies in Benin City, evaluate their extent of ESG adoption, and identify the factors influencing the implementation of ESG principles. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to registered real estate developers operating in Benin City. Out of 43 identified firms, 30 valid responses were obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that most developers were small- to medium-sized firms primarily engaged in residential and commercial developments. The overall level of ESG adoption was moderate, with Governance practices recording the highest adoption index (Mean = 3.14), followed by Social practices (Mean = 2.98) and Environmental practices (Mean = 2.86). Governance highlighted activities such as compliance monitoring, transparency, and property audits were more widely implemented than environmental initiatives such as renewable energy adoption and green roofing systems. The study further identified management leadership and commitment, availability of finance, perceived return on investment, and corporate strategy as the most significant factors influencing ESG adoption. Regression analysis showed that institutional factors exerted the strongest influence on ESG adoption, followed by organizational and market factors, collectively explaining 52.5% of the variation in ESG implementation among developers. The study concludes that while awareness of ESG principles is growing among real estate developers in Benin City, implementation remains largely moderate and compliance driven, with environmental and social dimensions receiving less attention than governance concerns. The study recommends the development of a comprehensive ESG regulatory framework, increased access to green financing, enhanced capacity building, and the institutionalization of ESG reporting standards to improve sustainability performance within Nigeria’s real estate sector. Keywords: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Real Estate Development, Sustainability, Sustainable Property Development, Governance Practices, Benin City, Nigeria.

This study examines the roles of Estate Surveyors and Valuers acting as attorneys in compulsory land acquisition, with particular emphasis on their selection process, performance, and the nature and extent of professional lapses as perceived by Project Affected Persons. The study adopts a cross sectional survey research design and focuses on three communities, Okunigho-Jesse, Ugbukurusu-Sapele, and Uzere. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered to Project Affected Persons. Sixty-six (66), One hundred and thirty-one (131), and fifty-five (55) questionnaires were administered in Okunigho-Jesse, Ugbukurusu-Sapele, and Uzere communities respectively while 62, 117, 53 questionnaires were retrieved respectively. Descriptive statistical tools, including frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and ranking, were used for data analysis. The findings reveal marked variations across the study communities. In Okunigho-Jesse and Uzere, the selection of Estate Surveyors and Valuers as attorneys was characterized by relatively high awareness, transparency, and participation of Project Affected Persons, resulting in high levels of satisfaction with both the selection process and the roles performed. Respondents in these communities expressed strong satisfaction with key attorney functions, particularly fair valuation of land and properties, effective negotiation with acquiring authorities, and advisory support during the acquisition process. Perceived professional lapses in these communities were generally low and limited mainly to issues of delayed communication and post-acquisition support. In contrast, the Ugbukurusu-Sapele Community recorded low levels of participation and transparency in the selection process, which translated into widespread dissatisfaction with attorney performance. Respondents in this community reported high levels of perceived professional lapses, including bias, conflict of interest, inadequate monitoring for irregularities or underpayment, and inaccurate or unfair valuations with mean values of 4.31, 4.21 and 4.17 respectively. The study further establishes a clear inverse relationship between satisfaction with attorney roles and the perceived extent of professional lapses. The study concludes that transparent and participatory selection processes, sustained professional engagement, effective communication, and strict adherence to ethical standards are critical to improving the performance of Estate Surveyors and Valuers acting as attorneys in compulsory land acquisition. It recommends stronger regulatory oversight, enhanced stakeholder participation, and a lifecycle approach to professional representation to promote fairness, trust, and socially sustainable acquisition outcomes.

This research project examines the appraisal of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending for housing development in Benin City, Edo State, focusing on its potential as an alternative source of finance within the Nigerian real estate market. The main objectives of this study are to determine the level of awareness of P2P lending among real estate developers, assess its perceived benefits, identify the risks and challenges associated with its adoption, and evaluate the role of regulation in encouraging its use for housing development.To obtain relevant data, a total of thirty (30) questionnaires were distributed to registered housing developers in Benin City. The questionnaire was structured to gather responses on key aspects such as awareness, benefits, risks, and regulatory challenges of P2P lending platforms. The responses provided useful insights into developers’ perceptions of digital finance and the readiness of the housing sector to adopt alternative funding mechanisms. The analysis of the data revealed that 65% of respondents had heard of P2P lending but lacked a clear understanding of how it operates, while 70% identified weak regulation as a major barrier to its adoption. Furthermore, 60% of participants highlighted data insecurity and fear of fraud as major concerns, and 55% cited high-interest rates as a limiting factor. Despite these challenges, 75% of respondents acknowledged that P2P lending could serve as a viable and flexible alternative to traditional bank loans if proper regulation and awareness programs are implemented. The study concludes with recommendations that emphasize the creation of a clear regulatory framework, enhanced digital literacy, and stronger collaboration between fintech firms and housing developers to ensure the effective and secure adoption of P2P lending in Benin City’s housing sector.

The quality of building maintenance in on-campus student hostels plays a critical role in shaping students’ academic experiences and overall well-being. This study examines the impact of hostel maintenance practices on the academic performance of students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nigeria. A combination questionnaires and interviews were administered; data were collected from hostel residents and maintenance managers to assess the effectiveness of maintenance practices and their influence on student outcomes. A total of 180 students were sampled from two hostels, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and multiple regression analysis. Findings reveal that while routine and corrective maintenance practices are in place, their effectiveness is limited by resource constraints, delayed responses, and poor implementation. Key maintenance challenges include inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, faulty plumbing, and inefficient waste disposal, all of which were perceived as negatively impacting students’ living conditions. Regression analysis shows a significant positive relationship between students’ academic performance (measured by CGPA) and their perception of hostel maintenance effectiveness, particularly in areas such as restroom condition, water supply, and overall maintenance quality. The study concludes that improving hostel maintenance through proactive strategies, increased resource allocation, and efficient management practices can enhance students’ academic success. ecommendations include the adoption of preventive maintenance measures, digital reporting systems for maintenance issues, and improved supervision of facility management personnel. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on student housing quality and its implications for academic performance in public tertiary institutions.

This study examined the impact of enforcement measures on property tax compliance in Benin City, Edo State. A survey research design was used, and data were collected from 100 randomly selected property owners and tax officials through a 20-item structured questionnaire. Four research questions guided the study and were analyzed using simple percentage analysis. The study was anchored on Deterrence Theory, which argues that taxpayers comply when penalties, audits, and sanctions are perceived as certain and effective, and Fiscal Exchange Theory, which suggests that compliance improves when taxpayers believe they receive valuable public services in return for the taxes they pay.Findings revealed that enforcement measures such as effective monitoring, timely issuance of notices, penalties for default, and public awareness campaigns significantly enhance tax compliance in Benin City. However, challenges including corruption, inadequate record-keeping, poor taxpayer education, and weak enforcement structures hinder full compliance. Respondents also noted that consistent enforcement promotes fairness, transparency, and accountability in the property tax system. The study recommends strengthening enforcement mechanisms through improved data management, regular audits, transparent penalty systems, and increased taxpayer education. It also
suggests adopting digital property tax systems and providing better training for tax officers to boost efficiency, reduce evasion, and sustain compliance across Benin City
and Edo State.