Purpose -In the absence of continuously traded, deep and securitised markets, commercial property valuations perform a vital function in the property market by acting as a surrogate for transaction prices. The ability of valuers to make effective estimation of value is therefore a vital issue in commercial property market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of valuation variance and inaccuracy on Nigerian commercial property market. Design/methodology/approach -Questionnaires were used in collecting data from 163 randomly selected estate surveying and valuation firms in Lagos Metropolis with a record of over 60 per cent of the total population of estate surveying and valuation firms in Nigeria. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data collected. Findings -The results revealed that valuation variance and inaccuracy causes fluctuation in the price of property, sending wrong signal to the market participants and jeopardising the future of commercial property market. It also, exposed valuers to negligence liability, loss of valuers' credibility and reduction of valuers' integrity. Practical implications -The paper concluded that quality data bank system is needed to obtain accurate comparables which are the cornerstone of market valuation. Also, surveyors in the academia should revisit the techniques they have developed with a view to replacing or modifying them into a format that are easy to use by practitioners. The findings of the study will be of importance to estate surveyors and valuers, estate surveying and valuation firms, government agencies in charge of property taxes as well as investors in commercial properties. Originality/value -The paper is one of the few attempts at examining valuation variance and accuracy in Nigeria. This paper examined the effect of valuation variance and accuracy on Nigerian commercial property market.

Purpose – Women owning a home may take various forms which may be one of the following: through development of land, buying a home or through inheritance. Meanwhile, in many countries and regions of Sub-Saharan African, women’s rights to land and the incidence of exercising rights have been eroded over time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing women participation in home ownership in Nigeria with a view to improving housing provision. Design/methodology/approach – The study purposively administered 170 questionnaires to female staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Nigeria, who was the study population. This population was chosen because of the fact that the institution is owned by Federal Government, where Federal characters are well reflected. The population cut across major tribes in Nigeria. Both descriptive and inferential technique was used to analyze the data. Findings – The results revealed that income status, cultural norms/traditions, unemployment, structural inequalities have significant influence on the decisions of the women in the study area while tribes, age among others have no significant influence on women decision to own homes. Practical implications – The paper recommended that government should enact laws and policies in favor of women to own lands and develop it. Also there should be gender balance in employment opportunities. Originality/value – Women’s equal rights to adequate housing, land and property are well elaborated under international human rights law but are often elusive in practice. This paper empirically studied factors influencing women participation in home ownership in Nigeria.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the soft skill gap of graduate employees, as well as the factors influencing the skill gaps of real estate graduates in the employment of real estate firms in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were employed for the study. Close-ended questionnaire served on real estate employers in the two major property markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja. From a total of 343 questionnaires administered, 172 (59.7%) questionnaires were retrieved. While data from the graduate employees were obtained via a web-based survey sent out to a total of 558 graduates, 119 (21.33%) responses were received. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed in the data analysis.FindingsThe findings showed that employers had high expectations for soft skillsets relating to responsibility, administrative, listening and communication skills. These have respective mean scores of 6.38, 6.33, 6.31 and 6.31 on a seven point scale. However, the results revealed significant skill gaps with skills such as logical thinking, business negotiation, responsibility and marketing. Further, the analysis revealed that factors influencing the skill gap, in decreasing order of influence, are training/professional mentors/remuneration, personal preferences/industry characteristics and curriculum/faculties.Practical implicationsReal estate graduate soft skills are investigated to uncover areas of emphasis and skill gaps. These outcomes could serve as important feedbacks for stakeholders towards improving real estate teaching and curriculum. The findings could also assist real estate graduates to know employers areas of emphasis in relation to graduate employability skills.Originality/valueExtant studies have reiterated and evaluated the soft skills gaps based on the perceptions of employers, faculties and institutions of higher learning. However, there is the need to investigate the perception of graduate employees, being the recipient and major stakeholders in the training process.

Purpose – This paper adds to the emerging knowledge base in the Nigeria and is of relevance to all residential property stakeholders. A number of empirical studies have demonstrated that several factors influence residential property values. However, there is a paucity of empirical research on critical factors influencing rental value of residential property in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to serve to address this gap by examining critical factors influencing rental value of residential property in the three densities area of Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The study used random sampling to select 624 residential properties out of 3,120 residential properties in the portfolio of 52 Estate Surveying and Valuation firms located within Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using a hedonic pricing specification. Findings – The results show that different critical factors influences rental values of different types of building in different residential densities. Number of bathroom (NOB), number of living room (NOL) and existence of burglar alarm (EOBA) were critical to bungalow in the whole area of Ibadan while number of toilet (NOT) was critical to duplex. In low-density area; residential location and EOBA have a significant positive impact on rental value of bungalow while NOT, NOBs (NOR), NOL and EOBA have a significant positive impact on detached house. However, it was NOR and EOBA that were critical in the medium density to bungalow. Practical implications – The study concluded that each of the residential densities is homogenous and, therefore, every residential property stakeholders should recognise the importance of each factor on rental values so that their valuation estimates will be useful and reliable. Originality/value – The study is one of the few attempts at examining factors affecting residential property value. This paper examined critical factors influencing rental value of residential property in the three densities area of Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria.

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