Professional Standards for Estate Agents in Property Transactions and Consumer Protection in Abuja

The estate agency profession in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja's dynamic property market, operates largely without statutory regulation, professional licensing requirements, or mandatory standards of conduct, creating significant consumer protection challenges. This study examines the professional standards applicable to estate agents in Abuja property transactions, evaluating the current private law obligations of agents under the law of agency, the Consumer Protection Council Act, and relevant professional body guidelines. Using a practitioner-focused research design, the study surveys 100 real estate agents and 150 property buyers and sellers in Abuja's Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts, supplemented by analysis of consumer complaints lodged with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission between 2020 and 2024. Findings reveal that estate agents routinely collect double commissions, misrepresent property conditions, and fail to disclose material information about title defects, generating significant consumer losses. The study further examines how the absence of a mandatory professional licensing regime allows unqualified practitioners to operate without accountability. Comparative analysis with estate agent regulation in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Kenya provides useful reform benchmarks. Recommendations include the enactment of an Estate Agency Act, establishment of a Professional Standards Council for Real Estate, mandatory professional indemnity insurance, and consumer education on estate agent legal obligations. Keywords: estate agents, professional standards, consumer protection, Abuja, property transactions