Imo’s land reforms win praise, but building material costs remain the next hurdle
The Deputy Governor Chinyere Ekomaru called real estate a major driver of economic development, with the power to create jobs and stimulate growth. Speaking at the “Gold in Real Estate” Conference 2026 in Owerri, themed “Beyond Collaboration”, she also lamented the high cost of building materials, which she said remains a challenge for developers and I agree with her on both counts.
Fixing the Land Problem First
Ekomaru said the Uzodimma administration has put an end to land racketeering, forgeries, double allocation and land grabbing that once discouraged investors. Commissioner for Lands, Clement Nwabiuche, explained how. The state now runs a centralized system, so once a plot is allocated, its number is entered and blocked and the same land cannot be given to someone else. He also said the distortion of Owerri’s master plan under a previous administration left about 1,500 petitions over re-allocated lands.
Here is what I tell every young investor: title is everything. Double allocation has killed more deals than any recession. A blocked plot number is simple, boring discipline, and that is exactly what serious capital looks for. Of course, the real verdict will come from investors’ own experience at the land office.
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Trust Before Transactions
Guest speaker Rev. Bethel Nwanebu said a transaction can close in a day, but trust is what keeps a business going. He also warned that character without competence can be dangerous, and urged operators to bring in qualified architects, surveyors and engineers. Nnamdi Umeh, CEO of Biz Map Company and convener of the conference, said the event was meant to restore confidence in the sector, with a commitment to genuine, affordable properties and verifiable titles.
I could not say it better. The best developers I know are obsessive about both integrity and professional delivery.
The Cost Problem Still Stands
Clean land titles help, but they do not make cement cheaper. Analysts note that building materials account for 35 percent to 75 percent of total construction costs, which is why any price spike hits a project so hard.
My advice to developers in Imo and beyond: budget for price swings, buy and phase your construction smartly, and look hard at cost-effective materials that still meet safety standards. To the government, I would say that if land is now friendly to investors, materials must be next on the list. Fix both, and the “gold” in this conference’s name stops being a slogan and starts showing up in the numbers.