Everywhere you turn these days, from WhatsApp groups to Twitter threads, someone is talking about investments. While one person is bragging about buying Tesla shares on Risevest, another is showing off a plot of land they just secured in Surulere.
So, let’s break it down: Should young Nigerians, especially Gen Z, invest in real estate or stocks?
The Case for Stocks.
Stocks are accessible.
With just ₦5,000, you can start buying shares of global companies using apps like Bamboo, Chaka, or Trove.
Pros:
- Low entry barrier
- Quick to buy and sell (high liquidity)
- Access to international markets
Cons:
- Volatile: prices rise and fall faster than fuel pump price
- Emotional rollercoaster: one bad tweet and your portfolio tanks
- Requires constant monitoring and market updates
Stocks are ideal if you want to “start small” and learn how money moves.
The Case for Real Estate
Real estate is the OG Naija investment. Your parents have preached it. Your boss swears by it. And they’re not wrong.
Pros
- Tangible and secure
- Long-term appreciation
- Generates passive income through rent
- Protection against inflation
Take for instance Flinx Realty; clients earn over ₦4M annually from a single one-bedroom unit in Surulere or Yaba. Thanks to rising demand from tech workers, students, and remote professionals, rental yields in these areas have consistently outperformed expectations.
Cons
- Higher starting cost
- Less liquid, which means that you can’t “sell” land instantly
- Requires property management
But here’s the good news: with different real estate companies offering flexible payment plans, owning property in Lagos is no longer just for the 40+ crowd.
So, Which Should You Choose?
If your salary just started saluting you, start with stocks to build discipline and get comfortable with investing. But don’t stop there.
As your income grows, whether from your 9-to-5, side hustle, or influencer deals, consider putting that money into real estate. It’s a slower game, yes, but it’s a richer one in the long run. The smart play would be to do both. Start small, diversify fast.
Not Sure How To Start In Real Estate? Start Smart
Investing in property is no longer complicated. The LanTan app is an example of a proptech platform that lets you browse, co-own, and earn from high-value properties all from your phone.
From a mini flat in Surulere to a studio apartment in Yaba, you can invest with as little as ₦1M, track performance in real-time, and skip the paperwork.
Click here
