Buying land in Nigeria can be one of life’s biggest achievements or a disaster waiting to happen if you don’t do your homework.
Every year, countless buyers fall victim to fraud, shady paperwork, or false ownership claims, simply because they ignored basic legal and practical steps. If you’re planning to buy land, these key rules could save you from a lifetime of regrets.
Before anything else, get a lawyer involved from the start. Don’t let excitement push you into a transaction blindly; having legal counsel from the beginning forces everyone involved to act right. Fraudsters often flee once they know a sharp lawyer is watching.
Never pay for land before signing the proper documents. That’s how people vanish after collecting your money leaving you with nothing but stories and stress.
Always avoid cash payments; go through banks. Use a transfer, cheque, or bank draft. This gives you a traceable paper trail. No matter what story the vendor tells, verify everything—titles, location, ownership. If they say the landowner is abroad, ask for a legally backed Power of Attorney and go online to confirm. Social media can be a useful verification tool.
Ensure the person who introduced the deal to you signs as a witness. That way, they’re tied into the deal and can’t claim ignorance if issues arise.
Every land document must be dated. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled that undated documents carry no weight in court. If the documents are registered, do a search at the Lands Registry. You need to be sure there are no mortgages, caveats, or disputes on the land.
If the owner is deceased, don’t accept hearsay. Ask for legal proof such as a Letter of Administration, Court Order, or Document of Sharing. And please, don’t fall for those roadside “document typists.” According to Nigerian law, only certified lawyers should prepare land documents else, what you have is legally useless.
If you’re unsure, pay in stages while doing your own investigations. And if the vendor is rushing you, slow down. Urgency is a red flag. Many rushed transactions turn out to be scams. After purchase, don’t just forget the land—know your neighbors, monitor the area, and stay in contact with locals to help spot trespassers.
During documentation, take photos and videos. This protects you, especially if the vendor dies and his family claims ignorance. Never let the seller choose a lawyer for you. Their lawyer protects them, not you. Get your own legal team.
Let community leaders know about your purchase. Their awareness helps make the deal more legitimate and harder to dispute. You may also ask the vendor to swear an affidavit of ownership. That way, if the land turns out to be fraudulent, you can pursue a case of perjury.
Truth is, buying from a known individual is often safer than buying from a community. But if you must deal with communities, be thorough. And finally, always make sure the vendor signs a receipt and an indemnity agreement. Include an indemnity clause in your Deed of Transfer so if the land is fake, it becomes fraud, not just a civil dispute.
Land in Nigeria can be a blessing or a burden. What it becomes is up to how well you protect yourself.
