Assessment of the Impact of Infrastructure on Property Values in Abuja Satellite Towns

This study assesses how the provision and quality of public infrastructure influences property values in selected satellite towns of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, specifically examining Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kubwa. Abuja's master plan anticipated the growth of satellite towns to absorb population pressure from the FCT core, yet infrastructure provision in these areas has been uneven, creating distinctive property value gradients linked to road access, electricity supply, water availability, and proximity to commercial facilities. The study employs a comparative descriptive design, using structured questionnaires administered to 180 property owners, estate surveyors, and real estate developers, supplemented by physical infrastructure surveys and secondary property price data from the Abuja Geographic Information System. The Sales Comparison Approach is applied to estimate property value differentials across infrastructure quality levels. Results show that properties in zones with tarred roads, reliable electricity, and piped water command values 35 to 60 percent higher than comparable properties in zones lacking these services. Proximity to federal government institutions and the Abuja-Keffi expressway are identified as significant positive value determinants in Kubwa. Gwagwalada shows the weakest infrastructure-to-value correlation due to limited private investment in the area despite federal government presence. The study recommends that the FCT Administration prioritise phased infrastructure rollout in satellite towns using value capture financing mechanisms to fund improvements from increased property values. Keywords: infrastructure, property values, satellite towns, Abuja, value capture.