The Knowledge and Use of Property Technology Among Real Estate Academics in North-West Nigeria

The integration of digital technology into real estate education has become increasingly essential due to the growing reliance on Property Technology (PropTech) in professional practice. However, the extent of PropTech awareness, usage, and teaching among real estate academics remains unclear, particularly in North-West Nigeria. This study aims at evaluating the level of PropTech awareness among estate management academics, identify the specific PropTech tools and platforms they utilize, and assess the extent to which these tools are integrated into teaching to align academic instruction with industry expectations. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a survey design, and structured questionnaires were distributed to estate management academics across selected tertiary institutions. Out of a population of 71, a total of 47 valid responses were retrieved and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, mean scores, standard deviations, and rankings. A 4-point Likert scale measured perceptions related to PropTech awareness, performance expectancy, ease of use, and teaching integration. The findings show that while awareness of PropTech is generally high, actual usage is inconsistent, with tools like Microsoft Excel and GIS being widely adopted, whereas more advanced tools such as Blockchain and Big Data remain rarely used. Moreover, a significant number of academics do not currently teach PropTech tools, mainly due to inadequate infrastructure and the absence of such content in the curriculum, limiting students' exposure to digital skills that are essential for job readiness in the modern real estate industry. The study recommends that universities revise and expand their curricula to include PropTech-related content, invest in the training of academic staff, and provide the necessary digital infrastructure to support the effective adoption and teaching of PropTech. These steps are crucial to bridging the gap between academic preparation and the digital competencies demanded in today’s real estate sector.