Ghecs Founder, Paul Adeleke, Seeks To Fix Trust Deficit In Nigeria’s Shortlet Market

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As Nigeria’s shortlet market continues to expand, concerns around trust, reliability, and customer experience remain widespread.
For Paul Adeleke, founder of Ghecs, these challenges represent more than just market inefficiencies, they highlight a deeper structural issue within the booking ecosystem.
According to Adeleke, Ghecs was built to address the growing gap between demand for short-term accommodation and the lack of reliable systems to support it.
“Booking accommodation in Nigeria should not feel like a risk,” he said. “What we are solving is not just access, but trust.”

From Market Observation to Platform Development
Ghecs began as an idea after Adeleke observed a recurring pattern of dissatisfaction among users attempting to book shortlet apartments across Nigeria.
Many users, he noted, encountered misleading property listings, poor service delivery, and in some cases, outright scams.
“It became clear that this was not just a few isolated incidents,” Adeleke explained. “It was a systemic problem driven by the absence of proper verification and accountability.”
Originally launched under the name Deity Villas, the platform has since rebranded to Ghecs to reflect a broader and more scalable vision.
“The initial focus was on premium stays,” he said. “But as the vision evolved, we needed a brand that could support a much larger opportunity beyond just one segment.”

Building a Trust-First Booking Platform
At its core, Ghecs is designed as a verification-driven booking platform, aimed at improving confidence for users.
Adeleke explained that the platform goes beyond simply listing properties by introducing structured verification processes before listings go live.
These include:
Verification of property ownership or management
Review of listing accuracy, including images and descriptions
Validation of location details
Assessment of service and quality standards
“Our goal is to ensure that what users see is what they get,” he said. “That consistency is what builds trust over time.”

Expanding Beyond Shortlets
While Ghecs currently focuses on short-term accommodation, the company is positioning itself for broader expansion within Nigeria’s booking and hospitality sector.
According to Adeleke, the long-term vision is to create a one-stop platform where users can access multiple services, including:
Hotels
Event centres
Car rentals
Experiences
services
“We are building towards becoming Nigeria’s most trusted booking platform,” he said. “Shortlets are just the starting point.”

Operating in a Competitive but Underserved Market
Global platforms such as Airbnb operate within Nigeria’s shortlet ecosystem. However, Adeleke believes local market conditions require a more tailored approach.
“The Nigerian market has unique challenges that cannot be solved with a one-size-fits-all model,” he noted. “There is a need for platforms that are built specifically for this environment.”
He added that Ghecs is focused on addressing these gaps through stronger verification systems and improved customer experience.

Bootstrapped Growth and Business Model
Ghecs is currently bootstrapped, allowing the company to maintain a focused and disciplined approach to growth.
Revenue is expected to come from
Service fees on our 6 verticals
Adeleke emphasized that sustainable growth will depend on user trust and consistent service delivery.
“In this market, reputation is everything,” he said. “If users trust the platform, growth will follow.”

Positioning for the Future
Looking ahead, Adeleke believes that the Nigerian shortlet market will continue to grow but warns that unresolved trust issues could limit its full potential.
“Without proper structure, the market will remain fragmented,” he said. “For real growth to happen, trust has to become part of the infrastructure.”
With Ghecs, he aims to contribute to building that foundation.
“We are focused on creating a platform where people can book with confidence,” he added. “That is the standard we believe the market should have.”