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BUYING A PROPERTY IN LAGOS IS NOT DIFFICULT IF YOU CAN DO ALL THESE

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By Dennis Isong

OWNING land or a house is a common aspiration among Nigerians.

While it’s exciting that some can afford this dream, a significant challenge lies in avoiding scams during the process.

After dedicating considerable effort to save for property acquisition, falling victim to fraudulent schemes, often referred to as “419,” can be devastating.

Lagos, in particular, has gained a reputation for its complexities in property transactions. The pervasive issue of “omo-onile” (land grabbers) has become deeply entrenched in the system, instilling fear and mistrust in potential buyers. Many view property purchases as a risky endeavor due to these concerns.

Despite these challenges, some individuals have successfully acquired property in Lagos without encountering problems. Their experiences demonstrate that while caution is necessary, it is possible to navigate the real estate market safely and achieve property ownership in the city.

What did they do differently? Let’s find out…

1. The first thing to do is to have a budget and decide on a location

When considering property purchase, prioritize your budget. Buying real estate is a significant investment, particularly in high-demand areas like Lagos. It’s crucial to assess your financial capacity carefully, as this is a long-term commitment.

While working within your budget constraints, remember that location is paramount. Strive to find the best possible area you can afford, as it significantly impacts the property’s value and your quality of life.


2. Hire a competent lawyer

When purchasing property, it’s crucial to recognize that not all lawyers are equally equipped to handle real estate transactions.

Specialization matters, which is why seeking out an expert in property law is essential. Such specialists possess a deep understanding of property matters and can navigate the intricacies involved with precision.

The process of acquiring property involves multiple stages, each requiring careful attention. Entrusting this process to just anyone could lead to costly mistakes or oversights.

Therefore, it’s imperative to engage the services of the right legal professional. Your best course of action is to hire a property lawyer who is both competent and experienced.

Their expertise will ensure that your interests are protected throughout the transaction, from initial negotiations to the final transfer of ownership.


3. Look for the perfect property that suits your need and fit into your budget
Once you’ve secured a property lawyer, the next phase is property hunting in your preferred area. This is where an estate agent becomes crucial. They play a key role in:

1. Identifying properties that match your requirements
2. Creating a curated shortlist
3. Arranging viewings for the selected properties

It’s worth noting that your lawyer may also be able to recommend a reputable estate agent to assist you in this process.
4. Find out more about the seller

When purchasing property in Lagos, it’s crucial to verify the legitimacy of the seller to avoid falling victim to fraud. Many unscrupulous individuals falsely claim ownership of properties, particularly family land, and attempt to sell them to unsuspecting buyers.

To protect yourself, it’s essential to thoroughly investigate the seller’s credentials and their authority to sell the property.

This is where the expertise of a qualified lawyer becomes invaluable. Your legal representative will conduct comprehensive searches, pose pertinent questions, and request necessary documentation to establish the true ownership of the Lagos property you’re interested in.

By taking these precautionary steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of engaging with fraudulent sellers and ensure a safer property acquisition process.
5. You need to investigate the property
After completing due diligence, your lawyer:

1. Performs relevant searches
2. Reviews documentation to verify the property is free from encumbrances and pending litigation
3. Confirms the property is not subject to government acquisition
4. Ensures there are no overriding interests affecting the property

This rewrite maintains the essential information while presenting it in a clearer, more structured format. Would you like me to explain any of these steps in more detail?
6. Inspect the property physically
Once all obstacles have been cleared from the property, make sure to visit the site in person for a firsthand inspection. This step is essential to ensure the location meets your expectations.
During the visit, bring a certified surveyor with you. They can examine the survey plans and provide expert advice on the property.
7. Negotiation

Once the buyer and seller have reached a mutual agreement and are confident in proceeding with the transaction, they move forward with the deal. At this stage, the price of the property has already been negotiated and settled upon. It’s crucial to note that legal representation remains essential throughout this process. Your lawyer will provide valuable insights into your future financial obligations, including stamp duty fees and other government charges. These additional expenses must be carefully factored into your overall budget for the property purchase.
8. Documentation

If the negotiation reaches a conclusion, then both your lawyer and the seller’s lawyer can move to the stage of drafting and negotiating all the completion documents.
For Lagos land transaction, you should expect 3 main documents which the lawyers deal with:
-The contract of sale
-The receipt
-And the deed of assignment.

9. Completion and Post-Completion

This is where both parties have concluded, signed, and exchanged contracts, made payment and the buyer is now in possession of all the original title documents. Once all that is complete, the buyer becomes the owner of the property and can take possession.
Once the buyer has taken physical possession of the property, the next step is to file all the necessary documentation with the appropriate government authority and then commence the process to obtain the Governor’s consent for the transaction. Once the Governor’s consent is obtained, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, and the property transaction is then complete.

For those interested in investing in Ojodu real estate, especially Nigerians in the diaspora, it’s advisable to work with a reputable local realtor.

▪︎Dennis Isong, a top Lagos realtor, specializes in helping Nigerians in the diaspora own property stress-free. For personalized assistance with your property needs in Ojodu or other parts of Lagos, you can contact Dennis Isong at +2348164741041.

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UniPort’s Prof Charles Nnolim is dead

The renowned academic died in Port Harcourt, where he lectured for many years.

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•Professor Charles Nnolim

Professor of English and World Literatures, Charles Nnolim, is dead.

Nnolim died in Port Harcourt, where he lectured for many years.

Though Nnolim’s age at death is not very clear, it is estimated at mid to late eighties.

Nnolim’s scholarly works include: “Approaches to the African Novel”, “Teaching African Literature Today,. “Literature, Literary Criticism and National Development.”

Prof Chijoke Uwasomba of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who is familiar with Nnolim’s works, said that Nnolim remains one of the finest as far as literary criticism is concerned.

Nnolim left an impressive imprint that is fascinating and worthy.

Nnolim’s death is the fall of an iroko, which will definitely be felt in the literary world.

Nnolim is a product of the old Alvan Ikokwu College of Education.

He capped his intellectual height with a PhD from the Catholic University in the United States.

He returned to Nigeria, landing at the University of Port Harcourt, in the thriving and tempting atmosphere at the time Nigerian universities were seen as the place to be.

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GARBA SHEHU: BUHARI IS BROKE

Shehu stated these in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists after a press conference to announce the public presentation of his 260-page book on July 9 titled, “According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.”

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• ex-President Muhammad Buhari


Mallam Garba Shehu, the Spokesperson to former President Muhammadu Buhari, declared on Tuesday :” Buhari is Broke,” a Nigerian English for being hard up financially .

Garba Shehu maintained that Buhari left office with his personal integrity intact as nobody can say he gave him a bribe.

While insisting that Buhari is broke and does not have money, he also said that the allegation that the former President does not have a certificate was a product of politics surrounding the 2015 election.
Shehu stated these in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists after a press conference to announce the public presentation of his 260-page book on July 9 titled, “According to The President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience.”

According to him, contrary to insinuations, “Buhari is one of the most voracious readers in Nigeria.

He reads all Newspapers and asks for Newspapers every morning.

Shehu said Buhari did not speak to media because he was not a showman and wanted his work to impact on the people.

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Why Dantata will be buried in Saudi Arabia tomorrow

Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, is survived by three wives, 21 children and 121 grandchildren.

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Business mogul and philantrophist Aminu Dantata, is set to be buried tomorrow (Tuesday) in Medina, Saudi Arabia after he died on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.

Sources closed to the family disclosed that it was Dantata’s wish to be buried in a city he adored and where Islam’s prophet Muhammad lived and died.

Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, is survived by three wives, 21 children and 121 grandchildren.

His body was set to be transferred from Abu Dhabi, where he died, to the holy city of Medina after Saudi authorities approved his burial in their country.

Background and Wealth

He was known across Nigeria for his philanthropic activities.

Last year, he donated 1.5 billion naira ($972,000; £710,000) to victims of the devastating floods in north-eastern Borno state.

His business interests cut across agriculture, real estate, construction and manufacturing.

He first made his name in agriculture, starting trading kola nuts and groundnuts in the 1940s.

He came from a business family – his father Alhassan Dantata was once considered to be the richest man in West Africa.

Despite his riches, Dantata lived in one of the poorest areas of the northern city of Kano, like his parents before him.

His influence was also felt in politics, with politicians eager to seek his blessings before elections.

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