The answer is Yes. A person can work as a part-time real estate agent in Nigeria but part-time status does not exempt them from professional, state or tax obligations.
The first difference is significant. A “real estate agent” is a generic term for someone who matches up landlords, sellers, buyers and tenants. The title “estate surveyor and valuer” is a protected professional title. The practice of estate surveying and valuation is regulated by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) under the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration, etc) Act. Also, a person who is not registered should not claim to be a registered estate surveyor or offer services reserved for that profession, such as professional valuation.
Property agency rules also vary from state to state. The most well-defined regulatory framework is Lagos. Estate agents and companies operating in the state are required to register and obtain the necessary permit from the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). The rules apply regardless of whether the agent works full-time, part-time or occasionally. Part-time agents who collect commissions, advertize property or negotiate transactions without registering as required can still face sanctions.
Elsewhere they might be different. Prospective agents are advised to check the law and registration process in the state of operation and not assume that compliance in Lagos or any other state applies to the entire country.
Part-time agency is most practical when the agent is an employee of a registered firm. This set-up can give access to verified listings, documentation, professional supervision and a clear commission structure. It reduces the risk of entering into transactions without knowledge of title documents, planning restrictions, rules of tenancy or the limits of one’s authority.
Those working independently should treat the activity as a business, not an informal side hustle. They should register an appropriate business structure where necessary, keep transaction records, issue receipts, use written agency agreements and declare taxable income. The Corporate Affairs Commission handles business-name and company registration, while tax administration is shared between federal and state authorities depending on the nature of the income and business.
Ethics are equally important. Agents should verify ownership or the authority of the person offering a property, avoid misleading advertisements, disclose material facts and never hold client funds casually. Fraudulent listings and fake property documents remain significant risks in Nigeria’s property market. A part-time schedule is no defence if a client loses money because the agent failed to carry out reasonable checks.
There are also practical limits. Property transactions often require prompt inspections, negotiations and document follow-up. An agent who is unavailable during working hours can lose clients or delay deals. Anyone employed by a bank, government agency, developer or competing brokerage should also review their employment contract for conflict-of-interest restrictions.
Part-time real estate agency is therefore possible, but it is not a shortcut around regulation. The safest route is to operate transparently, obtain any required state permits, work with qualified professionals and accept only responsibilities that match one’s training and authority. In Nigerian property market, flexibility may be part-time; accountability is not.