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Complete List of Documents You Need to Buy Land in Lagos by Dennis Isong

And if you’re serious about doing it right, reach out to someone who knows the Lagos real estate landscape like the back of his hand. Someone like, well… me.

Published

2 months ago

May 28, 2025

OhiBaba

61 Views

Always confirm documents from the Lagos State Land Registry and avoid cash-only deals without paperwork.

Buying land in Lagos can be a rewarding move—whether you’re planning to build a home, invest for the future, or start a commercial project.

But while the opportunities are exciting, the process isn’t as straightforward as just paying and getting a receipt.

Lagos, like many parts of Nigeria, has its peculiar legal and property documentation system, and understanding this system can be the difference between owning your land and losing your hard-earned money.

If you’re thinking about land ownership in this dynamic city, then knowing the documents you need to buy land in Lagos is not just helpful—it’s essential.

These documents are your only legal shield in a city where land disputes and multiple claims are far too common.

Let’s break it all down in a way that’s easy to understand.

First Things First: Why Documentation Matters

In Lagos, land ownership is often a maze.

There’s family land, government-acquired land, excised land, and committed land. Many buyers have found themselves entangled in court cases or financial loss simply because they didn’t know what papers to ask for.

Documents give your land transaction structure and legality. Without them, your ownership is shaky at best and fraudulent at worst.

Now let’s walk through the key documents you must check for—and get—before buying land in Lagos.

The Survey Plan

This is the starting point. A survey plan shows the exact location and measurements of the land. It tells you where the land is and how big it is.

More importantly, it helps confirm if the land falls within a government-acquired or committed area.

Government-acquired lands are off-limits unless the land has been officially released (excised).

A verified survey plan will also tell you whether the land has been registered before.

To be on the safe side, always take the survey plan to a registered surveyor or the Lagos State Surveyor General’s office for charting.

That way, you know you’re not buying into trouble.

The Deed of Assignment

when land changes hands—from seller to buyer—a Deed of Assignment is what captures that transfer.

This document states the details of the transaction: who sold it, who bought it, the size of the land, the location, and the terms of sale.

It must also indicate the history of ownership—how the seller came to own the land in the first place.

This document is legally powerful and must be prepared by a property lawyer. After signing, it should be submitted for Governor’s Consent, which we’ll explain shortly.

A Deed of Assignment without proper registration is like buying a car and not transferring the papers—ownership can easily be disputed.

The Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)

Now, this is one of the most talked-about property documents in Lagos.

The Certificate of Occupancy, often called the “C of O,” is proof that the government officially recognizes someone’s right to occupy a piece of land for 99 years.

If a land has a C of O, it means the land has been titled and recognized by the Lagos State Government.

Not all lands have this document, and that doesn’t always mean it’s illegal—but buying land with a valid C of O is the safest route.

It reduces the risk of future government interference and makes getting loans or building approvals easier. However, it’s important to confirm that the C of O truly belongs to the land you’re buying. Cross-check with the Ministry of Lands to be sure.

The Governor’s Consent

This one often confuses people. If a land already has a C of O and is being sold to someone else, the new buyer must obtain the Governor’s Consent.

Why? Because under Nigerian land law, no land transaction is considered fully legal without the consent of the Governor of the state.

The Governor’s Consent is not a casual formality—it’s a legal requirement. Without it, the sale remains incomplete in the eyes of the law. It’s part of what turns your Deed of Assignment into a fully recognized document.

The Gazette

Now, not all lands in Lagos are initially free from government acquisition. Some are acquired by the government but later released to the original landowners—often communities—through a formal process.

When this happens, the release is published in an official record called a Gazette.

A Gazette shows that the land has been excised, meaning it is no longer under government acquisition and can now be owned and sold legally. If the land you’re planning to buy falls under this category, ask for the Gazette and verify it.

Buying land with a valid Gazette is better than buying land with nothing at all, but still not as solid as a C of O.

The Receipt

Yes, it sounds basic, but the purchase receipt is also important. It shows that money has exchanged hands and helps to track the financial side of the transaction.

It includes the date of purchase, the amount paid, the names of both parties, and the description of the land.

While a receipt alone doesn’t mean you now own land, it complements your other documents—especially the Deed of Assignment.

The Contract of Sale

This is sometimes prepared before the Deed of Assignment. It outlines the agreement between both parties before the land is officially transferred. Think of it as a promise-to-sell document.

It usually spells out payment terms (e.g., installments), timelines, and other conditions of the sale.

It’s useful in cases where payment is staggered over time or where the buyer needs a few months to perfect documents.

However, it is not a substitute for the Deed of Assignment.

Family or Community Consent (if it’s family land)

If you’re buying land from a family or community—which is still common in Lagos—you must get the consent of all principal family members or the land-owning community heads.

This is very important. If just one person signs and others later disagree, your ownership could be challenged.

Many people have found themselves battling “omo onile” (land touts or family claimants) simply because they didn’t get proper family or community consent.

Ensure a family resolution or legal confirmation is obtained.

Government Allocation Letter (for government schemes)

If you’re buying land from a government housing scheme or state-owned development, you’ll receive a Government Allocation Letter. This letter assigns the land to you and states the terms under which you can occupy it.

This letter usually comes before the C of O is issued, and it’s your first legal evidence of land allocation.

It is very common in places like Lekki and other government-developed areas in Lagos.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Buy Land—Buy Peace of Mind

Buying land in Lagos is a serious investment. And while the market is full of promises, it’s also full of pitfalls. Knowing the documents you need to buy land in Lagos can help you avoid heartache and financial loss.

Whether you’re buying land with a C of O, a Gazette, or through a Deed of Assignment, make sure everything is checked, verified, and registered properly.

Don’t just depend on what the seller says. Involve professionals—real estate lawyers, surveyors, and agents who understand Lagos terrain.

Always confirm documents from the Lagos State Land Registry and avoid cash-only deals without paperwork.

The right documents protect your ownership today and into the future.

If you’re ever in doubt, ask questions.

And if you’re serious about doing it right, reach out to someone who knows the Lagos real estate landscape like the back of his hand. Someone like, well… me.

Related Topics:Buying Land in Lagos Featured List of land documents

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Wema Bank’s Digital Bank, ALAT, Emerges Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank @ Euromoney Awards 2025

Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed appreciation to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the Bank’s impact on the proliferation of digital innovation in Africa, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to its sustainability vision of developing digital solutions for societal impact.

Published

52 minutes ago

July 18, 2025

OhiBaba

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In recognition of its position as a digital pioneer in the African banking landscape, Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, a trailblazing digital platform pioneered by Nigeria’s oldest indigenous and most innovative bank, Wema Bank, has been awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025.

Euromoney is a leading provider of competitive intelligence and benchmarking insight for the global banking and finance industry, trusted for over 50 years to deliver data-led analysis that informs strategy, validates performance, and supports decision-making at the executive level.

The Euromoney Awards, pioneered by Euromoney, are regarded as the ultimate accolade in banking; the industry-leading stamp of approval that banks across the globe work yearlong to achieve.

Recognised as Nigeria’s leading financial institution in digital innovation, Wema Bank’s revolutionary digital bank, ALAT, was awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025 held at The Peninsula London Hotel in London on Thursday, 17th July, 2025.

Since its launch on May 2nd 2017, ALAT has bridged the gaps in delivery of financial services to Nigerians within Nigeria and globally, evolving remarkably into a holistic hub of lifestyle and financial solutions for Nigerian adults of all ages and from all walks of life.

From simply being the first fully digital bank in Africa, ALAT has evolved remarkably into a digital platform with an ecosystem of dynamic financial solutions tailored to provide seamless, reliable, and convenient service for all.

With ALAT, basic financial services like transfers, airtime & data purchases, bill payments and loans are placed at the fingertips of users, in addition to a wide range of advanced financial services and solutions that merge banking with lifestyle.

From in-app local and international flight bookings to tailored personal and group savings options, investments and stocks, movie and event tickets, deals and discounts on a limitless pool of products and services, 24/7 health consultation, and a suite of customised loan options for salary earners and non-salary earners; ALAT changed the game, redefining banking and financial services in a world where digital has become the future.

In view of ALAT’s groundbreaking role in blazing the trail for FinTechs in Africa and its intentionally-curated wealth of features and offerings designed to meet the needs of Nigerians in Nigeria and the diaspora, it is evident that the Bank is undeniably deserving of the recognition and accolade.

Underscoring Wema Bank’s commitment in shaping the future of banking through impactful innovations like ALAT.

Receiving the award, Oseni said that the world is moving fast and so is the permeation of ‘digital’ into the most critical aspects of our lives.

Eighty years ago when Wema Bank was established, typewriters were the extent of banking technology.

Today, we have pioneered a fully digital bank, and possess technology advanced enough to power over 150 FinTechs.

In ten years, one can only imagine what this fast-paced digital economy will bring.

One thing is clear, any business, venture or institution that will remain relevant by the end of the next decade, must leverage digital technology today.

This is why Wema Bank is so driven when it comes to digital. Innovation and empowerment”.

“As a Bank, our stance is clear. Wema Bank will never relent in empowering lives through innovation and developing digital solutions for societal impact.

We will continue to pioneer innovation, empower innovators and bridge the gap between traditional and digital, leveraging the opportunities of the digital world to generate meaningful impact on lives and businesses in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.

We have remained resilient in this commitment since 1945 and this award tells us that the world is feeling our impact.

We are honoured by this recognition, and I take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Euromoney Awards.

We take this as a challenge to keep up the good work, go harder, and continue going above and beyond in shaping the future of banking through digital innovation.

Here’s to 80 years of impact and a future of limitless possibilities with Wema Bank”. Oseni concluded.

Wema Bank continues to raise the bar in financial services, placing Nigeria on the global map for banking and digital innovation.

Since 1945, the Bank has spearheaded a positive transformation in Africa’s banking and financial landscape, proving that Nigerian-owned businesses have the capacity to last and stand the test of time.

As the Bank celebrated its 80th anniversary on May 2nd 2025, its futuristic digital platform, ALAT simultaneously clocked 8, marking 8 years of digital transformation.

The world continues to watch in anticipation as Wema Bank leads the movement in digital innovation, shaping the future of banking in Africa.

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Taiwan Seeks Better Ties with Nigeria, following Tinubu’s St. Lucia Visit

We, the people and Government of Taiwan, wholeheartedly congratulate H. E. President Tinubu for his visions and concrete actions of extending Nigeria’s connection with the Caribbean Island state, just like Taiwan has made diplomatically with St. Lucia.

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2025

OhiBaba

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•Andy Yih-Ping Liu

TAIWAN’S Representative/ Head of Mission in Nigeria Andy Yih-Ping Liu has congratulated Nigeria’s fresh diplomatic engagements with St. Lucia and the Caribbean States.

Liu, in a statement yesterday, asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s most successful state visit to the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia was truly a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s diplomacy.

The statement reads: “We, the people and Government of Taiwan, wholeheartedly congratulate H. E. President Tinubu for his visions and concrete actions of extending Nigeria’s connection with the Caribbean Island state, just like Taiwan has made diplomatically with St. Lucia.

“Taiwan (ROC) and St. Lucia, as well as three other Caribbean island nations, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti, have long established diplomatic relations with full-fledged embassies setting in each other’s capitals.

“Our diplomatic presence of embassies, together with Development and Technical Aid of medical, agricultural, women and youth empowering, trade and investment strengthening, sustainable development, etc., have truly assisted St. Lucia as well as other Caribbean nations to grow well economically and socially.”

Liu noted that during President Tinubu’s visit, he would have toured some facilities jointly developed by the Taiwanese government and St. Lucian authorities.

“We’re proud to offer our helping hands that produce fruitful results, and we certainly welcome wholeheartedly that Nigeria will also be joining this humanitarian and economic collaborations in the Caribbean area.

“We are extremely delighted to witness President Tinubu graciously receiving the conferment of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (K.C.O.S.L.) in recognition of his efforts to strengthen ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

This has showcased His Excellency’s visionary exploration and escalation of Nigeria’s ever-growing international status, and his grand movements in deepening the collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

“Prime Minister Philip Pierre, that H. E. President Tinubu has met in St. Lucia, visited Taiwan to attend President Ching-Te Lai’s inauguration ceremony on May 20th, 2024.

Also, St. Lucia’s Senate President Madam Alvina Reynolds, that President Tinubu has also met, visited Taiwan to attend our National Day Celebrations on October 10th, 2024.

All these have demonstrated how cordially the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and St. Lucia have been, and our bilateral cooperation have truly showcased Taiwan is such an indispensible and healthy partner for St. Lucia, as well as other Caribbean nations.

“Taiwan (ROC) has survived the heavy pressure from across the Taiwan Strait, and flourished outstandingly in the world, both democratically and economically on nation building.

“We the Taiwanese people are privileged to share our advanced know-how and technology to any country globally, so that we can work together in weathering through all sorts of challenges.

It is therefore, once again, we would like to congratulate dearly for President Tinubu’s diplomatic achievements in his landmark State Visit to St. Lucia, and also sincerely express our goodwill for any future strengthening of Nigeria-Taiwan relations, either in this great nation of Nigeria or in our shared diplomatic allies of St Lucia and the Caribbean states.

“Taiwan remains humble and ready to share its vast knowledge with Nigeria in various fields of comparative advantages, and we would appreciate deeply that His Excellency President Tinubu and Nigeria to view and regard Taiwan as a most advanced and developed, healthy partner, to build substantial relations, like what we have contributed and collaborated in Saint Lucia,” he said.

Business

Dangote sets to power his vast industrial empire with biggest seaport in Olokola, Ogun State

This project will require the construction of pipelines from the Niger Delta, according to Devakumar Edwin, vice president of the Dangote Group

Published

4 days ago

July 14, 2025

OhiBaba

67 Views

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is moving ahead with plans to build a major seaport near his fertilizer and oil refinery plants, a move aimed at easing exports and powering the continued expansion of his vast industrial empire.

Bloomberg reports that Dangote confirmed that his group submitted paperwork in late June to begin work on what he described as “the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria.”

The proposed Atlantic seaport will be located in Olokola, Ogun State, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from his massive fertilizer and petrochemical facilities in Lagos.

Currently, Dangote exports fertilizer and urea through a private jetty he built near the refinery site, the same jetty that also receives the heavy equipment needed for operations.The new port will help integrate logistics and export activities across the group.

It could rival key facilities in Lagos, including the Chinese-backed Lekki Deep Sea Port, which opened in 2023.

“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves,” Dangote said, “but I believe this kind of investment will inspire other entrepreneurs to get involved too.”

Beyond fertilizer exports, Dangote also plans to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Lagos.

This project will require the construction of pipelines from the Niger Delta, according to Devakumar Edwin, vice president of the Dangote Group.