How to Buy Land in Lagos Without Getting Scammed

Buying land in Lagos can be one of the smartest investments you make, or a painful lesson, depending on how carefully you approach it. The difference is almost always due diligence. Here is how to protect yourself.

Start with the title

Ask what document backs the land: a Certificate of Occupancy, Governor's Consent, a registered deed, or an excision and gazette. Vague answers are a warning sign. A clean, verifiable title is the foundation of a safe purchase.

Conduct a search at the land registry

Before any money changes hands, instruct a solicitor to conduct an official search at the Lagos State land registry. This confirms who truly owns the land and whether it carries any encumbrance, court case or existing charge.

Verify the survey

A registered surveyor should confirm the boundaries and coordinates and check the land against the state's records. This step reveals whether the plot falls within government acquisition or a road setback, which would make it unsafe to build on.

Beware government acquisition

Some land is under government acquisition and cannot be freely developed unless it has been excised and gazetted. Never take a seller's word for this; confirm it independently.

Use a solicitor and pay properly

Engage your own solicitor, agree the terms in a written contract, and pay through traceable means. Insist on a proper deed of assignment and begin perfecting your title promptly.

Red flags to walk away from

Pressure to pay in a hurry, prices far below the market, missing or photocopied documents, and sellers who resist a registry search. Any of these is reason to pause.

Done carefully, buying land in Lagos is safe and rewarding. If you would like a trusted hand through the process, MiliaRealty can guide your search and connect you with verified opportunities.