What you need to know before buying a land in Ibeju-Lekki – Gbolahan Adetayo

As Ibeju-Lekki continues its rapid rise as Africa’s fastest-growing real estate corridor, concerns are mounting over the increasing activities of land scammers targeting unsuspecting buyers, especially Nigerians in the diaspora returning home for the festive season.

Once a quiet suburb of Lagos, Ibeju-Lekki has transformed into a prime investment destination, driven by major infrastructural projects such as the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki Deep Seaport, and the proposed Lekki International Airport. These multibillion-naira developments have not only boosted commercial interest in the area but have also caused a dramatic spike in land value, turning the axis into a hotspot for real estate investors worldwide.

However, this boom has come with its own challenges, as investment scammers are now exploiting the surge in demand.

Renowned Nigerian journalist, Gbolahan Adetayo, has issued a strong warning to Nigerians abroad who intend to purchase land in Ibeju-Lekki during the upcoming Detty December holiday season.

According to him, while genuine investors will return home eager to acquire property, many others may fall prey to fraudulent individuals posing as real estate professionals.

“Christmas is almost here, and the fact is that many Nigerians will smile to the bank, while others will return online shouting about being scammed after buying land from fake agents,” Adetayo cautioned. “Shine your eyes. January is usually full of these heartbreaking complaints.”

Over the years, several cases of land fraud, illegal sales, and “Omo Onile” harassment have been widely reported, with victims—particularly those abroad—losing millions to bogus companies.

However, Gbolahan recommended Harmony Garden as a safer option for diaspora buyers.

He added that the developer of the Seven Citadels of Joy, known as Harmony Garden and Estate Development Ltd, stands as a safer option for investors and Nigerians in the diaspora seeking secure and stress-free homeownership.

To help buyers avoid costly mistakes, Adetayo advises sticking to trusted and verifiable developers. Among those he recommends are the estates owned by Harmony Garden and Estate Development Ltd, led by Saheed Mosadoluwa, popularly known as Mr. Ibile.

He noted that Saheed is also the visionary behind the “10,000 Homes in 5 Years” initiative under the Ibile Traditional Mortgage System.

According to the company’s official website, Harmony Garden oversees seven estates along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, including Granville Estate, Lekki Aviation Town, Majestic Bay, The Parliaments, Harmony Casa 2.0, Oju-Alaro GRA, and Harmonyville Estate.

Adetayo says Harmony Garden is widely recognized for its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, land grabbing, and other sharp practices that plague parts of Ibeju-Lekki.

He added that: “Experts attribute the rising value of Harmony Garden estates to strategic land banking within Ibeju-Lekki’s development belt. The company’s estates are positioned around critical infrastructure, such as: The Dangote Refinery, reshaping industrial activity, The Lekki Deep Seaport, boosting international trade, The Lekki International Airport, set to increase commercial traffic and residential demand, A rapidly expanding network of roads, industries, and residential developments.

“These factors have made the corridor one of Nigeria’s most lucrative real estate zones, with land prices rising significantly year after year.

“Harmony Garden prides itself on transparency, ethical dealings, and long-term value creation. The company has earned national recognition as one of Nigeria’s highest-selling real estate firms, offering quality, affordability, and accessible housing for all income levels.

“In an industry frequently tainted by fraudulent operators, Harmony Garden stands out for integrity. This is why I always recommend them to anyone buying property in Ibeju-Lekki.”

On his final advice, Adetayo said: “As Nigerians in the diaspora prepare to return for the festive holidays, the message is clear: Invest wisely. Verify every detail. Work only with trusted developers. With Ibeju-Lekki’s transformation accelerating, both the opportunities and the risks are higher than ever.”