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  In Nigeria, land measurement is in varying units, depending on its size and the metric system preferred by whoever measures it. Understanding these land sizes is crucial for effective land management, investment decisions, and sustainable development initiatives across the nation. They apply to rural farmlands urban plots, and tracts designated for residential or industrial purposes.
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In this article, we will take a quick look at the land measurements commonly used in Nigeria, and what they translate to in formal terms.

The Various Measuring Rules Used

There are two separate measurement systems used for land in Nigeria: the imperial and the metric. The imperial system measures land in feet and acres; the metric system does so in meters and hectares. The former is better known to indigenous land owners and tradesmen; the latter is more widely used by educated professionals in the real estate industry.

Plot

A plot is a land that’s been marked out by developers or the government for agricultural or residential use. By Nigerian standards, a plot meant for the construction of a proper building measures 100ft × 50ft; that is, 30.5m × 15.2m, or 463.6 square meters (sqm). In some parts of the country, a plot measures 120ft × 60ft. If you ever get confused about what a plot is, just remember that the term is used rather arbitrarily sometimes. Whatever the measuring rule employed, it will ideally not be greater or lesser than what’s been stated here by much.
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Acres

Traditionally, land in Nigeria has been measured in acres, a unit of measurement with historical roots. An acre is roughly equivalent to 4,046 sqm or about 0.4046 hectares (or approximately 40% of a hectare). It consists of 6 plots each measuring 120ft Ă— 60ft, almost equal to the size of a standard football field. Acres are commonly used by land sellers, and smallholder farmers predominantly operate on acreages.

Hectares

In more recent times, hectares have gained prominence, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, as well as in large-scale agricultural ventures. A hectare is equal to 10,000 sqm (100m Ă— 100m, or 328ft Ă— 328ft), making it approximately 2.47 acres. This unit of measurement is favoured for its simplicity in calculation and its alignment with international standards, facilitating easier comparisons and transactions in the global market. However, many real estate developers and potential buyers have trouble specifying measurements with it.
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Final Words

The business of measuring and documenting land sizes can be quite tricky, especially if you have to move between multiple measuring conventions. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a brief but useful clarification on this issue.
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This article was first published on 17th May 2024

ikenna-nwachukwu

Ikenna Nwachukwu holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He loves to look at the world through multiple lenses- economic, political, religious and philosophical- and to write about what he observes in a witty, yet reflective style.

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