Buying land in Nigeria can be one of the smartest investments you make but it can also become a costly mistake if you pay for a property without properly verifying the documents.
Before transferring money to a landowner, agent, or developer, you need to know exactly what you are buying, who legally owns it, and whether the seller has the right to sell it.
Here are important documents you should demand and verify before paying for land in Nigeria
1. Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
The Certificate of Occupancy is one of the major title documents used to establish a person’s interest in land. It shows that the holder has a recognized right of occupancy over the property for the stated term. However, don’t simply ask, “Does this land have C of O?” Ask to see the document and have it properly verified with the relevant government authority.
- 2. Deed of Assignment
A Deed of Assignment is an important document used when ownership or an interest in a property is transferred from one person to another. If you are buying from an existing owner, you should understand how the seller acquired the property and ensure that the seller has the legal authority to transfer the interest to you. Your own transaction should also be properly documented after purchase.
- Survey Plan
A Survey Plan helps identify the exact location, boundaries, dimensions and coordinates of a parcel of land. It is not enough for someone to point at a piece of land and say, “This is your plot.” The survey should be checked to determine whether the land exists where the seller says it does and whether there are issues such as government acquisition or overlapping claims.
- Receipt or evidence of previous purchase
If the seller acquired the land from another person, ask for evidence of that previous transaction. This can help you understand the property’s ownership history and establish how the seller came to own or control the land. Never be afraid to ask questions about the chain of ownership. This evidence can be Deed of Conveyance.
- Governor’s Consent
Where applicable, Governor’s Consent is an important requirement in transactions involving the transfer of an interest in land that is subject to statutory requirements. The exact requirements can depend on the nature and location of the property. This is why you should not rely solely on what a seller or agent tells you. Have the documents and transaction reviewed by a qualified property lawyer.
- Excision or Gazette Documents
For land described as being under excision or covered by a Gazette, ask to see the relevant documents. An excision may relate to land released from government acquisition, while a Gazette may contain official information concerning land allocations or government decisions. These documents should be independently verified. A document shown to you is not automatically proof that the land is safe to buy.
- Allocation Letter
If the land is being sold by an estate developer or an organization that allocated the property to the original buyer, an allocation letter may form part of the documentation. Check that the details on the allocation letter correspond with the property being offered to you.
- Approved Layout or Estate Layout
If you are buying land within an estate, ask to see the approved layout where applicable. The layout can help you understand the position of your plot, roads, drainage, recreational areas and other designated spaces. This can also help prevent buying a plot that is actually meant for a road, facility or other restricted purpose.
- Development or Planning Approval
Depending on the property and location, relevant planning or development approvals may also be important. If the land is being sold as part of a development project, ask the developer what approvals have been obtained and request evidence where applicable.
- Search and Verification Reports:
One of the most important things you can do before paying is to conduct an independent search. Do not depend entirely on documents supplied by the seller.
A professional search can help reveal issues such as:
- Existing claims on the property
- Government acquisition
- Mortgages or encumbrances
- Conflicting ownership claims
- Problems with the seller’s title
- Inconsistencies in the property description
Don’t just collect documents, verify them. This is where many land buyers make a costly mistake. Having a photocopy of a C of O, survey plan or deed does not automatically mean the land is safe.
The real question is can the documents be independently verified? Before making a substantial payment, engage a qualified property lawyer and, where necessary, a registered surveyor to conduct the appropriate searches and checks.
Be extremely careful if a seller:
- Pressures you to pay immediately.
- Refuses to show you the title documents.
- Says, “Just trust me.”
- Offers a price that seems unbelievably cheap.
- Refuses independent verification.
- Cannot clearly explain how they acquired the land.
- Gives you documents with inconsistent names, dates or property descriptions.
- Tells you that verification is unnecessary.
A genuine property transaction should withstand reasonable questions and proper due diligence.
In conclusion, buying land is more than finding a beautiful location and negotiating a good price. You are buying an interest in property, and that interest must be properly investigated and documented. Before you pay, demand the relevant documents, verify them independently, inspect the property and seek professional legal advice.
A few hours spent on due diligence can save you years of litigation, financial loss and regret. Don’t let excitement make you skip verification. Verify first. Pay later.
At Veraz Properties, we believe that property investment should be approached with proper information, transparency and due diligence.
If you are considering buying land or property, don’t just ask about the price. Ask about the title, documentation and verification.
For further enquiry
Call/ WhatsApp: -234 9054440156
Email: info@verazproperties.com.ng
