There’s something deeply emotional about buying land in your hometown.
It’s the road you grew up walking on.
The dusty breeze you’ve known since childhood.
The people still call you by your childhood nickname.
And when you finally buy a piece of land there, it feels like you’ve come full circle.
For many Nigerians, especially those living in big cities like Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt, returning to the village to buy land is a cultural badge of honor. It means you haven’t forgotten where you came from. It gives peace. Pride. Even respect among the elders.
But here’s the real question:
Does it bring ROI — Return on Investment?
Let’s talk facts.
Emotional Return vs. Financial Return
There’s no denying the emotional benefits. You get to build a family house, maybe even retire there someday. It can serve as your legacy — something to pass down.
But financially?
That’s where things get tricky.
Land in your hometown (especially if it’s rural or undeveloped) tends to appreciate very slowly. Unlike urban areas where a property can triple in value in 5 years, many village plots stay stagnant — sometimes for decades.
Worse still, some of these lands turn into abandoned castles in the desert — beautiful structures with no tenants, no rental income, and no commercial use.
So, What Should You Do?
Buy land in your hometown – if it brings you joy, if you plan to use it for something personal, or if you see long-term development potential.
But if your goal is investment, consider this:
- 👉 Is there an upcoming infrastructure project (road, rail, university) in that area?
- 👉 Are people migrating there for work or education?
- 👉 Can you lease the land for farming, industry, or events?
If the answer is no to all three, you may want to balance your portfolio — one plot in your hometown for peace, and one in a fast-growing urban fringe for profit.
My Final Word – Buying land in your hometown is like planting a tree whose shade your heart will enjoy. But when it comes to ROI, plant where the economic rain is falling.
Both peace and profit are important — just don’t confuse one for the other.
#ministerofrealestate
I give professional real estate advice, negotiate and help smart investors make profitable real estate investments for high ROI, thereby creating wealthy landlords. My ultimate goal is to help you achieve your property investment portfolio goals. If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to comment, like, share, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more insights!
