Earlier this month, Reeka teamed up with Nook Africa for a live session with shortlet managers and aspiring operators from across Nigeria—from Lagos to Ibadan, and even the U.S.
It was part community, part strategy session, and part therapy for people tired of double bookings, WhatsApp chaos, and missing curtains.
Here’s a quick recap of what we talked about.
Shortlets in Nigeria are no longer a fringe hustle. In 2024 alone, over ₦500 billion moved through the shortlet economy. Lagos alone brought in ₦260B. And that doesn’t even count upcoming demand spikes in areas like Yaba, Surulere, Ibadan, and beyond.
Whether you’re already managing units or just thinking of starting, these came up again and again:
1. Marketing:
Where your property is located matters, but how it’s presented matters even more. High-quality, professional photos and visibility on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Instagram can make a huge difference. And yes, your 2019 phone cam won’t cut it.
2. Operations:
If you’re still running your bookings off WhatsApp group chats and prayer, it’s time for an upgrade. Reeka helps managers sync bookings across platforms, automate finances, and avoid double-bookings entirely. Your guests (and your sleep schedule) will thank you.
3. Amenities:
Clean sheets, 24/7 power, Wi-Fi that works, Netflix, even a PS5—these are no longer “nice-to-haves.” They’re booking drivers. If done right, those extras can help you charge ₦20K more per night. Small touches like a welcome kit or clean water dispenser also go a long way.
David from Nook Africa walked everyone through how to screen tenants properly: BVN checks, financial profiling, ID verification, and even references from previous landlords. It’s all built into the Nook platform and it’s a lifesaver—especially for longer stays.
This was one of the big takeaways for newer operators: you can lease a place long-term, upgrade it, and manage it as a shortlet. With the right tech stack and local insight, you can build a profitable business from the ground up.
We wrapped with a Q&A that covered everything from marketing slow seasons to the best hashtags to use on Instagram. Everyone left with a clearer idea of what it takes to run a successful shortlet—and why there’s still so much untapped potential in this space.
In case you missed it, check out the recording from the session below.
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With Energy,
Team Reeka
Linkedin: Reeka
Instagram: reeka.app
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