DETERMINANTS OF PRIVATE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT DECISIONS IN NIGERIA’S SOUTH-SOUTH REGION

This study investigates the determinants of private real estate investment decisions in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, a region characterized by economic dynamism yet persistent development challenges. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, primary data was collected from 500 real estate professionals and investors in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. The analysis, employing multiple regression techniques, examined the influence of economic factors (interest rates, inflation, income levels), government policies (land-use regulations, property taxes, building approvals), infrastructural development (road networks, electricity, water supply), and market factors (demand, rental yield, property price trends). Findings reveal that all four categories of factors exert statistically significant and positive influences on investment decisions, with government policy variables and market fundamentals demonstrating particularly strong effects. The results confirm that cumbersome regulatory processes, high compliance costs, inadequate infrastructure, and volatile market signals collectively shape investor behaviour. The study concludes that fostering a conducive investment environment in the region requires a coordinated policy approach focused on regulatory streamlining, enhanced infrastructure provision, and improved market transparency. This research contributes empirical evidence to the literature on real estate economics in emerging economies, offering specific insights for policymakers and investors in Nigeria's oil-rich but infrastructure-deficient South-South zone.