Q: You’ve worked in both media and corporate communications—be honest, which side tells better stories?
A: I think media edges this one slightly. The media thrives on drama, suspense, and keeping people hooked. It feeds on emotions, urgency, and engagement. Corporate communications, on the other hand, often has to balance storytelling with strategy and reputation management. But when done right, corporate storytelling can be just as powerful, if not more because it shapes real-world perceptions and business success.
Q: What’s one thing you think the media world has that’s missing in most corporate communications functions?
A: Authenticity. Media outlets are great at tapping into the pulse, the raw emotions of the audience, whereas corporate communications sometimes leans too heavily on structure and formality or as we call it, “Strategic Messaging.” However, brands are becoming more liberal and finding new ways to blend both, staying professional while still being relatable and engaging. I think this is largely down to the increasing influence of social media.
Q: Fake news is everywhere, from WhatsApp broadcasts to viral Twitter threads. What’s the wildest myth or misinformation you’ve ever come across?
A: There is nothing you won’t see in the media space. I have told one of my friends that it is most likely that the 3rd World War will arise from a WhatsApp message. It’s left for the universe to prove me wrong.
I have seen WhatsApp videos that claimed Indomie noodles contained plastic and were unsafe to eat. I have also gotten broadcasts claiming that a particular estate was built on “haunted land” and that buyers were mysteriously vanishing. There was also a very popular one claiming that Dangote was selling expired cement, leading to building collapses.
This is where media professionals earn their money and watching these brands put campaigns together to dispel the misinformation was a learning point.
Q: If you had to create a “Fake News Survival Kit” for Nigerians, what three things would be in it?
- A Google/Chat GPT search bar, because two minutes of fact-checking can save you from embarrassment.
- A “No Panic” button, because everything on WhatsApp is designed to make you panic (Especially my mother’s messages. God bless her). If it sounds too dramatic, verify before you share.
- A “Call a Friend” lifeline; someone who reads credible news and can tell you, “No, Peak milk is not made from cow blood or you do not need NAFDAC certification to buy ewedu and gbegiri at the local Buka”.
Q: You now work in real estate where there’s usually a lot of confusion and you can’t tell what’s true sometimes. If you had a magic wand and could make one real estate myth disappear forever, which one would it be?
A: That real estate is only for the rich. People think if you don’t have millions in cash, you can’t own property. But between flexible payment plans, mortgages, and investment options, real estate is a lot more accessible than most people think. The real challenge is knowing where to look and planning wisely.
Q: Let’s play “Spot the Scam”. What are three major red flags that scream “This real estate deal is too good to be true”?
- “Pay now, see land later.” If they want full payment before you even know if the land exists, run.
- No verifiable land documents. If they “forgot the paperwork at home,” that home might be on a different planet. Take your time to ascertain and verify title documents before you invest. Real estate isn’t a flash sale.
- Unrealistically low prices. If it’s significantly cheaper than market value, something’s off. In real estate, if it’s too good to be true, there are high chances that it’s not true. If someone offers you land in Ikoyi at an Abule Egba price, you are most likely paying for air.
Q: Nigerian landlords and agents have a reputation—what’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard of?
A: A landlord who increased rent just because his tenant bought a new car. “If you can afford a Benz, you can afford higher rent.” Crazy.
Q: From fake agents to ghost houses, some real estate scams feel like Nollywood plots. What’s one scam story that left you completely shocked?
A: Someone ‘sold’ the same plot of land to 10 different buyers, collected money from all of them and disappeared. When he was caught, “chopping life” man was confident and showed up in court with a lawyer. That’s real guts.
Q: If you were designing a reality TV show exposing real estate fraudsters, what would you call it?
A: “House of Scams: Naija Real Estate Exposed!”
Q: If Afriland Properties had a superhero dedicated to fighting real estate fraud, what would their name be and what powers would they have?
A: His/Her name would be ‘Title Guard’, a hero with X-ray vision to see fake documents and a lie-detecting power that exposes scammers on the spot. Those agents who tell you ‘I have the perfect house for you,’ meanwhile they just want to show you one cubicle or gatehouse that has been converted to a room.
Q: What’s one thing people assume about big real estate companies like Afriland that simply isn’t true?
That we only cater to high-end clients. In reality, Afriland Properties has diverse real estate solutions for different income levels. From shops and offices to affordable 2 & 3-Bedroom units. Real estate isn’t just for billionaires; it’s for anyone ready to plan smartly and invest wisely.
Q: You’ve got 30 seconds to pitch a solution that would make Nigeria’s real estate industry scam-proof. Go!
A: Nigeria needs a centralised, publicly accessible digital land registry. Every property transaction should be recorded, verifiable, and protected from fraud. Combine this with strict penalties for fake agents, and we’ll see a safer, scam-proof real estate industry.
