A plot of land has no fixed national size in Nigeria; use the dimensions and total square metres on the survey plan. This guide explains plot measurements in feet and metres, how square metres compare with acres and hectares, and how to compare land by area. For the number of plots in an acre and tables for 1–20 acres, use how many plots make an acre in Nigeria.
The problem: “plot” has no fixed national standard
In many countries, land is measured in standardised, legally defined units. In Nigeria, a plot has no single nationally fixed size. Different states, different land registries, and even different developers use different dimensions. This means "one plot" in Lagos can be a different size from "one plot" in Abuja, and different again in Kano or Port Harcourt. Abuja allocates land in square metres rather than plots.
The practical implication: always ask for the actual dimensions in feet or metres from the survey plan. Do not buy based on the number of plots alone without confirming the exact plot size being used.
Common plot sizes used in Nigeria
The following plot dimensions appear most frequently across Nigerian land markets:
- 18 m × 36 m (648 square metres) — The standard Lagos plot, and the size most sellers mean by "one plot" in Lagos and much of Southwest Nigeria.
- 60 ft × 120 ft (approximately 18.3 m × 36.6 m) — The same plot quoted in feet. Measured exactly it is 7,200 square feet, about 669 square metres, slightly more than 648.
- 50 ft × 100 ft (approximately 15.2 m × 30.5 m) — Common in many private estate developments and some states outside Lagos. Equals approximately 465 square metres.
- 100 ft × 100 ft (approximately 30.5 m × 30.5 m) — Often seen in commercial and higher-end residential plots. Equals approximately 929 square metres.
- 60 ft × 60 ft (half plot) — Sometimes sold as a "half plot" in areas where the 60 × 120 standard applies.
Key rule: Always verify the dimensions from the survey plan attached to the title document. If a seller cannot provide a survey plan, treat this as a red flag.
Square metres: the most reliable unit
Square metres (sq m) are internationally standardised and unambiguous. When comparing land parcels across different states or different sellers, convert everything to square metres first.
- 1 foot = 0.3048 metres
- 1 square foot = 0.0929 square metres
- A 60 × 120 ft plot = 7,200 sq ft = 669 sq m
- A 50 × 100 ft plot = 5,000 sq ft = 465 sq m
Acres explained
An acre is a unit of land measurement commonly used in the United States and UK, and widely referenced in Nigerian property transactions — particularly for larger agricultural and commercial parcels.
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
- 1 acre = 4,047 square metres
- 1 acre ≈ 0.405 hectares
How many plots make one acre?
Using the standard Lagos plot (648 sq m, 18 × 36 m): 1 acre ≈ 6 plots.
Using the 50 × 100 ft standard (465 sq m per plot): 1 acre ≈ 8–9 plots.
Note: these are approximations. In practice, not all plots within an acre are fully usable — access roads, setbacks, and drainage reserves reduce the number of buildable plots from the theoretical maximum.
Hectares explained
A hectare is the standard unit of land measurement used in the metric system and is preferred in Nigerian government surveys, agricultural land records, and formal documentation.
- 1 hectare = 10,000 square metres
- 1 hectare = 107,639 square feet
- 1 hectare ≈ 2.47 acres
How many plots make one hectare?
Using the standard Lagos plot (648 sq m, 18 × 36 m): 1 hectare ≈ 15 plots.
Using the 50 × 100 ft standard (465 sq m per plot): 1 hectare ≈ 21–22 plots.
Quick conversion reference table
| Unit | Square metres | Plots (648 sq m) | Plots (465 sq m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 standard plot (18×36 m) | 648 sq m | 1 | ~1.4 |
| 1 plot (60×120 ft) | ~669 sq m | ~1.03 | ~1.4 |
| 1 plot (50×100 ft) | ~465 sq m | ~0.7 | 1 |
| ½ acre | ~2,024 sq m | ~3 | ~4–5 |
| 1 acre | ~4,047 sq m | ~6 | ~8–9 |
| 1 hectare | 10,000 sq m | ~15 | ~21–22 |
| 2 hectares | 20,000 sq m | ~30 | ~43 |
| 5 hectares | 50,000 sq m | ~77 | ~108 |
Why does any of this matter when buying land?
Understanding land measurement is not academic — it has direct financial implications:
- Price per square metre is the true comparison unit. A plot priced at ₦5m in one state and ₦5m in another may not be the same size. Convert to price per square metre for any comparison.
- Building regulations use square metres and set-back distances. Your design and number of floors will be determined by plot dimensions in metres, not the plot label. Always have a surveyor peg the plot before committing.
- Survey plans state dimensions. A legitimate survey plan will always show the length and width of each side in both feet and metres, plus the total area. If it does not, have a licensed surveyor resurvey the plot before purchase.
- Agricultural land is measured in acres or hectares. If you are buying farmland, agricultural plots, or large tracts, the seller will almost certainly quote acres or hectares. Confirm the total square metres from the survey plan.
Practical examples
Example 1: Buying a residential plot in Lagos
A seller in Ajah offers "1 plot" at ₦8m. You ask for the survey plan. The dimensions are 18 m × 36 m — 648 sq m. Price per square metre: ₦12,346. A comparable plot in the same estate listed as "50 × 100" at ₦6m works out to ₦12,903 per sq m — slightly more expensive per square metre despite the lower headline price.
Example 2: Agricultural land in Ogun State
A farmer advertises 2 acres of farmland at ₦3m per acre. Total: ₦6m for 8,094 sq m (about 12–13 standard residential plots). If you are comparing with a Lagos Island plot at ₦15m for 648 sq m, the Ogun farmland is ₦741 per sq m versus the Lagos plot at ₦23,148 per sq m — a dramatic price difference that only becomes visible when both are converted to the same unit.
Summary: what to always verify before buying
- Ask for the survey plan — it must state exact dimensions in feet or metres, plus total area
- Confirm the plot dimensions match the title document
- Convert everything to square metres for true comparison
- Have a licensed surveyor physically peg the boundary before completing payment
- Never buy land based only on the number of plots — always verify the actual size
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