How It Works

Nigerian land measurements use a mix of imperial and metric units, with the “plot” being the most common standard. A standard plot in Nigeria measures 50 feet by 100 feet, which equals 5,000 square feet or about 465 square meters. The conversions work like this:

The calculator converts everything to square meters as the base unit, then calculates all other measurements from there. So if you enter 2 plots, it multiplies by 465 to get 930 square meters, then divides by 4,047 to get roughly 0.23 acres, and so on.

These conversions matter because land documents might list one unit while the seller quotes another. You need to verify you’re comparing like for like, especially when prices vary wildly between locations.

Why Plot Sizes Vary Across Nigeria

The “standard” 50 x 100 ft plot is common in Lagos, Abuja, and most southern states. But in some northern states and rural areas, plot sizes differ. Some places use 60 x 120 ft plots, others use 100 x 100 ft. Always confirm the actual dimensions with your surveyor before assuming standard measurements.

This matters for pricing. A 60 x 120 plot (7,200 sq ft) is 44% larger than a 50 x 100 plot (5,000 sq ft). If someone quotes “per plot” pricing without specifying dimensions, you could end up paying more per square foot than you thought.

What About Half Plots and Quarter Plots?

Developers and sellers often advertise half plots (2,500 sq ft) or quarter plots (1,250 sq ft). These are just fractions of the standard plot. A half plot typically measures 25 x 100 ft or 50 x 50 ft, depending on how they subdivided it.

The shape matters for building. A 25 x 100 plot is long and narrow, which limits house designs. A 50 x 50 plot gives you more flexibility but might have setback issues depending on local regulations. Always get the actual dimensions, not just the total area.

How Many Plots Make an Acre?

Using the standard 50 x 100 ft plot, you get about 6 plots per acre. More precisely, one acre (43,560 sq ft) divided by 5,000 sq ft equals 8.712 plots. But practically, after accounting for access roads and drainage, you usually fit about 6 to 7 plots per acre in most estates.

If someone says they’re selling “5 acres” or “10 acres,” multiply by 6 to estimate the number of plots. Five acres equals roughly 30 plots. That gives you a quick sense of scale when comparing large parcels.

Why Use Hectares Instead of Acres?

Government documents and C of O (Certificate of Occupancy) papers often list land in hectares because Nigeria officially uses the metric system. One hectare equals 10,000 square meters or about 2.47 acres.

For large agricultural land or commercial developments, hectares make the math cleaner. But most residential buyers think in plots or acres, so you’ll be converting back and forth constantly. The calculator handles both.

Common Land Sizes in Nigeria

Here’s a quick reference for typical land parcels you’ll encounter when buying property in Nigeria. These numbers help you understand what different measurements actually mean in practice.

What If My C of O Shows Different Numbers?

Your Certificate of Occupancy is the legal document, and it might show measurements in hectares or square meters rather than plots. Always trust the C of O over verbal claims from sellers or agents.

If the C of O says 0.5 hectares, use this calculator to convert: that’s about 5,000 square meters or roughly 10.75 plots. If someone told you it was “15 plots,” they were either rounding up aggressively or measuring differently. Verify everything against official documents.

Does Location Change Plot Size?

Yes, significantly. Lagos typically uses 50 x 100 ft (or sometimes 60 x 120 ft in some estates). Abuja has various sizes depending on the district. Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, and other cities each have local customs.

In rural areas or agricultural zones, people often skip “plots” entirely and just use acres or hectares. The plot concept is mostly urban and suburban. Always ask for the actual dimensions in feet or meters, then convert to compare with other properties.

Can I Trust Estate Agents on Measurements?

Get everything verified by a licensed surveyor. Agents sometimes round generously, confuse gross vs net area, or use non-standard plot sizes without disclosing it. A surveyor will measure the exact boundaries and give you precise square footage or meters.

Survey fees are tiny compared to land costs. Spend the money upfront to avoid disputes later. The survey report will show exact measurements, and then you can use this calculator to convert to whatever unit makes sense for comparison shopping.

What About Setbacks and Buildable Area?

A one-plot parcel doesn’t give you 5,000 sq ft of buildable space. Most states require setbacks (the distance from your building to the property boundary). Lagos typically requires 3 meters on sides, 6 meters in front, and 3 meters at the back.

On a 50 x 100 ft plot (15.24m x 30.48m), after setbacks, your actual buildable footprint is much smaller. Factor this in when planning construction. The total plot size matters for price comparison, but buildable area determines what you can actually construct.

How Do I Calculate Price Per Square Meter?

First, convert your plot or acreage to square meters using this calculator. Then divide the total price by the square meters. For example, if someone sells 2 plots (930 sq m) for ₦50 million, that’s ₦53,763 per square meter.

Price per square meter helps you compare properties in different locations or with different total sizes. A smaller plot in a prime area might have a higher per-square-meter price but lower total cost than a larger plot elsewhere. Know both numbers before deciding.

What About Irregular Shaped Land?

This calculator assumes you know the total area in some unit (plots, acres, etc.). For irregular shapes, you need a surveyor to calculate the actual area. They’ll measure all boundaries and compute the total square meters, which you can then convert.

Don’t try to estimate irregular land by multiplying the longest length by the widest width. That overestimates for non-rectangular parcels. Get a proper survey, then use those numbers here for conversions.

Why Do Some Listings Show Both Plots and Acres?

Sellers list what they think buyers want to see. Small residential land gets advertised in plots because that’s what buyers are familiar with. Larger parcels (above 5 or 10 plots) often get listed in acres or hectares because those units are cleaner for big numbers.

The key is converting everything to the same unit when comparing. If one listing says “5 plots” and another says “0.5 hectares,” use this calculator to see that 0.5 hectares is actually about 10.75 plots. Now you can compare accurately.

Should I Buy Land in Plots or Hectares?

Doesn’t matter. The unit is just how people describe it. What matters is the actual size, location, title status, and price per square meter. Some sellers prefer to quote in plots, others in hectares. Your job is to convert to a common standard and compare on that basis.

For residential development, thinking in plots helps because you can estimate how many houses fit. For agriculture or very large developments, hectares or acres make more sense. Use whatever unit helps you visualize and compare, but always verify the actual measurements.