What should I check before buying land in Nigeria?

Work through six stages: confirm the seller's authority, examine the title chain, chart the survey coordinates, check for acquisition, excision and setbacks, inspect the land physically for flooding, access, encroachment and community position, then budget the full cost including consent, registration, fencing and development levies before you pay.

Buying land in Nigeria: the complete due-diligence checklist

Written by CribCheck, reviewed by the CribCheck inspection team. Last reviewed 18 September 2026.

1. The seller

Establish who is entitled to sell before discussing price. Family land, estate land and company land each require different authority.

2. The title chain

Root of title and every transfer since.
Consent obtained for each transfer that needed it.
Registration status of each document.

3. The survey

Chart the coordinates. This single step tells you where the land is, how big it is, and whether it is buildable.

4. Acquisition and setbacks

General acquisition, committed land, excision gazette and ratification.
Road, drainage and high-tension setbacks.
Planned infrastructure that will cross the plot.

5. The physical land

Is it waterlogged, and how much fill will it need? This is often the largest hidden cost.
Flood marks and drainage on the access road.
Legal access: is there a road to the plot, and who owns it?
Encroachment, existing structures, tenants or farmers in occupation.
Community position: omonile demands, development levies and who must be carried along.

6. The full cost

Purchase price and agency commission.
Legal fees, stamp duty, consent and registration.
Survey and charting fees.
Sand filling, fencing and gate.
Development levies and community charges.

Land is patient; money is not. Pay nothing that is not refundable until the searches are back in writing.

General information, not legal advice. Title and land matters vary by state and carry real financial risk — instruct a property lawyer before you pay anything.