Business
Five Hidden Dangers of Buying Inherited Land in Nigeria by Dennis Isong
Not every land deal in Nigeria is as straightforward as it looks.
In fact, one of the trickiest types of property transactions you can ever get involved in is buying inherited land.
It often comes with stories, long family histories, and sometimes, unexpected headaches.
While the price may be attractive and the land location desirable, buyers need to slow down and look deeper.
Understanding the 5 Hidden Dangers of Buying Inherited Land in Nigeria can save you from emotional stress, wasted money, and years of court battles.
Let’s take the case of Chidi, a businessman who returned from abroad with the dream of building his retirement home in Lagos.
A relative introduced him to a family selling their dead father’s land.
The documents looked convincing, the price was lower than the market rate, and everything seemed fine—until a year later when one of the late owner’s children sued him, claiming the land was sold without his consent.
What Chidi thought was a dream turned into a nightmare of endless court sessions.
Sadly, his story is not uncommon.This is why we need to unpack the hidden dangers behind inherited land transactions.
1. Family Disputes and Unresolved Ownership
One of the biggest dangers of buying inherited land is family disagreement.
In many Nigerian families, land is passed down without clear documentation of who truly owns what. Some children may feel entitled, while others may want to sell.
The problem arises when not all family members agree.Imagine buying a piece of land from three siblings only to discover later that their fourth brother, who lives abroad, never approved of the sale.
That brother can return anytime and challenge the transaction in court. Until the matter is resolved legally, the land remains under dispute, and your investment stays trapped.
This is why it’s important to confirm that all rightful heirs have agreed in writing before any transaction takes place.
2. Lack of Proper Documentation
Inherited land often lacks complete or updated documentation. Many times, the original owner may have bought the land decades ago without processing proper title documents like a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Governor’s Consent, or even a Deed of Assignment.
As the land passes down to the children, the paperwork becomes even more confusing.
Some families rely only on informal documents, such as old receipts or local chiefs’ notes, which are not recognized in court.
If you buy such land, you may spend years chasing documents or, worse still, discover that the land was never legally theirs to sell.
Without valid documentation, ownership becomes shaky, and as a buyer, your claim over the land may not stand when challenged.
3. Multiple Sales of the Same Land
This is a common trap with inherited property. Because different family members may see themselves as “owners,” they sometimes sell the same land to multiple buyers.
One sibling may sell to you today, another may sell the same plot to someone else tomorrow, and yet another may use it as collateral for a loan.
When this happens, the buyer with the strongest legal proof wins. If you’re unlucky, you may lose both the land and the money you invested.
In fact, many land disputes in Nigerian courts stem from this exact scenario.
To protect yourself, you need to investigate carefully, confirm the true heirs, and insist on a family agreement that is signed, stamped, and legally backed.
4. Pending Legal Cases or Government Encumbrances
Another hidden danger of buying inherited land in Nigeria is the possibility of hidden lawsuits or government interests. Sometimes, the land may already be under dispute in court between family members.
Other times, the government may have acquired the land for future development, but the family continues selling to unsuspecting buyers.
If you unknowingly buy such land, you automatically inherit the legal problems that come with it.
Court cases can drag for years, draining you financially and emotionally. Worse still, if the government has plans for the land, you may lose everything without compensation.
This is why land verification through proper search at the land registry and even community checks is not optional—it is essential.
5. Emotional Attachments and Delays
Again, many families selling inherited land struggle with emotional attachments. Even after they agree to sell, one family member may suddenly change their mind or refuse to sign the final documents.
Others may delay the process, hoping to renegotiate or back out.This often frustrates buyers who have already invested time and money into the deal.
Unlike buying land from a registered estate company, transactions involving inherited property tend to drag on unnecessarily, causing you to lose both opportunities and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Buying land in Nigeria can be one of the smartest investments you ever make, but it must be done with caution.
When it comes to inherited property, the risks are higher than most people imagine.
From family disputes and lack of documents to multiple sales and hidden court cases, these are the five Hidden Dangers of Buying Inherited Land in Nigeria that every buyer must be aware of.
If you ever consider buying such land, work with professionals—lawyers, surveyors, and trusted realtors who understand the system.
Cutting corners may look cheaper today, but it could cost you everything tomorrow.
And remember, you don’t have to walk this path alone.
• I’m Dennis Isong, a top realtor in Lagos. I help Nigerians in the diaspora own property in Lagos, stress-free.
If you have questions about safe property investment or need guidance on avoiding land scams, call or WhatsApp me at +2348164741041.
Business
CPPE Tasks Govt to Fix Cost of Living Crisis Amid GDP Growth
Reacting on Nigeria’s third quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.98 percent , CPPE said that it’s laudable, but called for policy interventions to fix the cost of living crisis.
The Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) tasks the government to ensure that GDP Growth and macroeconomic stability translate into real improvements in citizens’ welfare.
Reacting on Nigeria’s third quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.98 percent , CPPE said that it’s laudable, but called for policy interventions to fix the cost of living crisis.
Dr Muda Yusuf, CEO of the CPPE, notes that despite the improvment in the GDP, the cost-of-living crisis remains a concern .
He said: ” While disinflation is underway and prices of some food items and manufactured products are easing, the social outcomes of economic reforms continue to weigh on households.
” It is therefore imperative for policymaking to prioritise targeted interventions to address the uneasiness around the cost of living and ensure that GDP Growth and macroeconomic stability translate into real improvements in citizens’ welfare—particularly for vulnerable groups.”
To consolidate the gains recorded in Q3 and unlock stronger, more inclusive growth, Dr Yusuf, said that the following policy interventions are critical:
Reduce Structural Bottlenecks
Address energy supply constraints, reduce logistics costs, improve port efficiency, and accelerate transport infrastructure development.
Mitigate the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Implement targeted social interventions and remove structural impediments that elevate consumer prices.
All tiers of government [local, state and federal] must sustain targeted interventions in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, transportation and energy to fix the cost of living crisis.
Business
Dangote Targets Nigeria Festive Season Monthly Supply of 1.5 billion litres of PMS
This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery says that it has concluded arrangements to supply over 50 million litres of petrol per day into the Nigerian market this festive season (December to January).
The company said that the decision was taken to ensure that there is no shortage of the product during the festive season.
This translates to 1.5 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the month of December.
The same amount of product will also be supplied in January 2026, it was added.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, announced the plans.
Dangote said: “In line with our commitment to national well-being, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month.
This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment.
We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.75 billion litres in February, which translates to over 60 million litres per day.”
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily.
He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Business
Dangote Partners Honeywell International to Boost Refinery Capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day
Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, has signed a landmark contract with U.S. industrial giant Honeywell International to execute a significant capacity upgrade that will boost the facility’s crude processing capability from the current 650,000 barrels per day to an ambitious 1.4 million barrels per day.
The multi-billion-dollar project, described by sources close to the deal as one of the largest refinery expansion initiatives globally in recent years, will involve the installation of advanced process units, automation systems, and energy-efficiency technologies supplied and integrated by Honeywell UOP and Honeywell Process Solutions.
Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, confirmed the partnership, stating: “This strategic collaboration with Honeywell will position the Dangote Refinery as one of the top five largest refineries in the world by capacity.
The upgrade will not only enhance our ability to meet Nigeria’s complete refined products demand but also establish the refinery as a major export hub for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals across Africa and beyond.
”The expansion is expected to be implemented in phases, with key units including additional crude distillation, hydrocracking, and catalytic reforming modules.
Honeywell’s proprietary technologies are anticipated to improve yield of high-value products while reducing energy consumption and emissions.Upon completion, the 1.4 million bpd Dangote Refinery will surpass the current global top-tier facilities such as Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar Refinery (1.24 million bpd) and Paraguay’s planned 1.2 million bpd project, cementing its status as the world’s largest single-train refinery.
The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during the construction and commissioning phases and further reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
A spokesperson for Honeywell confirmed the award, saying the company was “honored to partner with Dangote on this transformative project that will reshape the African downstream landscape.
”Detailed timelines and the exact value of the contract were not disclosed, but industry analysts estimate the expansion could exceed $5–7 billion in total investment.
The statement said: Dangote Group is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Honeywell International Inc to support the next phase of expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
This collaboration will provide advanced technology and services that will enable the refinery to increase its processing capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, marking a major milestone in our long-term vision to build the world’s largest petroleum refining complex.
Through this agreement, Honeywell will supply specialised catalysts, equipment, and process technologies that will allow the refinery to process a broader slate of crude grades efficiently and to further enhance product quality and operational reliability.
Honeywell, a global Fortune 100 industrial and technology company, offers a wide portfolio of solutions across aviation, automotive, industrial automation, and advanced materials.
Honeywell’s division UOP has been a technology partner to Dangote since 2017, providing proprietary refining systems, catalyst regeneration equipment, high performance column trays, and heat exchanger technologies that support our best-in-class operations.
Dangote Group is also advancing its petrochemical footprint. As part of the wider collaboration, we are scaling our polypropylene capacity to 2.4 million metric tons annually using Honeywell’s Oleflex technology.
Polypropylene is a key industrial material widely used across packaging, manufacturing, and automotive applications.In addition to refining expansion, Dangote Group is progressing with the next phase of its fertiliser growth plan in Nigeria. We will increase our urea production capacity from 3 million metric tons to 9 million metric tons annually.
The existing plant consists of two trains of 1.5 million metric tons each. The expansion will add four additional trains to meet growing demand for high-quality fertiliser across Africa and global markets.
Dangote Group remains fully committed to delivering world-class industrial capacity, strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, and driving sustainable economic growth through long-term investment, innovation, and strategic global partnerships.
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