Buying property in Nigeria is one of the most significant financial decisions a person makes — and one where the gap between right and wrong process is measured in millions of naira and years of legal dispute. The Land Use Act 1978 vests all land in the state governor, making every purchase a leasehold from the state.
The 3 things most buyers get wrong
1. Paying a deposit before completing a Land Registry search. 2. Not engaging a property lawyer and relying on agent-drafted agreements. 3. Not budgeting for transaction costs, which add 10–15% on top of the purchase price in Lagos (agency fee, stamp duty, Governor’s Consent, registration).
Title types: what to look for
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O): gold standard — state-issued 99-year leasehold, bankable. Governor’s Consent: required when a C of O property is re-sold. Deed of Assignment: only as strong as the root title behind it. Registered Survey Plan: confirms boundaries, but is not a title document on its own.
The non-negotiable step
Before paying anything: conduct an official Land Registry search (Lagos: CALAS system; Abuja: AGIS). This confirms who legally owns the land, any mortgages or encumbrances, and whether the property is under government acquisition. Cost: ₦10k–₦50k. Non-negotiable.