Business
Responses That Should Turn You Off While Doing Due Diligence in Nigeria’s Real Estate By Dennis Isong
Don’t Worry, the Land is Clean” Whenever a seller or agent says, “Don’t worry, trust me,” without providing proof, you should immediately worry. In Nigeria’s real estate market, trust is earned, not assumed.

Let me share a story. A painful one. In November 2023, I met Chika, a young entrepreneur full of ambition.
She had saved for three years to buy her first plot of land in Lagos.
She dreamed of building her own bakery there someday—a dream she’d nurtured since childhood. Chika found a seller through a friend’s recommendation.
The location seemed perfect, and the price was “a steal.” When she began asking basic questions during due diligence, the seller’s responses were… strange.
When she asked about the land’s title, the seller waved her off. “Ah, no need to stress yourself. Trust me, this land is clean!” he said, flashing a reassuring smile.
When she pressed further, he added, “See, other buyers are waiting. If you waste time, someone else will grab it!” Against her better judgment, Chika paid.
The fear of missing out overpowered her. Months later, she discovered that the land was already sold to two other buyers.
Her N3 million vanished. Her bakery dream was shattered. She sat in my office, teary-eyed, asking, “Dennis, why didn’t I see the red flags?
How could I have been so blind?” Her story is a painful reminder that some responses during due diligence are major red flags.
If you hear any of the following phrases or behaviors, it’s time to step back and protect yourself.
1. “Don’t Worry, the Land is Clean” Whenever a seller or agent says, “Don’t worry, trust me,” without providing proof, you should immediately worry. In Nigeria’s real estate market, trust is earned, not assumed.
A land being “clean” means it is free of disputes, government acquisition, or other issues. If the seller refuses to provide documents like the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Deed of Assignment, or Survey Plan, it’s a glaring warning sign. What they’re really saying is, “I have something to hide, and I don’t want you to find out.”
2. “You Don’t Need a Lawyer” Ah, this one. Many shady sellers will try to convince you that involving a lawyer is unnecessary. They’ll say things like:
● “I’ve done this for years; lawyers just want to collect your money.”
● “You’ll waste time if you involve a lawyer.” This is manipulation, plain and simple. A lawyer ensures that all documents are valid and protects you from legal pitfalls. If someone discourages you from hiring a lawyer, it’s a sign they’re trying to cut corners—and possibly scam you.
3. “The Price Will Increase Tomorrow” Pressure tactics are a classic move in real estate fraud. When a seller tells you, “Other buyers are waiting,” or “If you don’t pay today, the price will go up tomorrow,” it’s often a ploy to rush you into making a hasty decision.
Think about it: Why would a genuine seller rush you? Good land doesn’t sell itself in one day, especially when proper documentation is involved. If they’re pushing you to act fast, it’s likely because they don’t want you to uncover the truth.
4. “I’ll Handle All the Documents for You” While it may sound convenient, a seller offering to handle all documentation should raise your suspicions. Why don’t they want you to see the process?
Here’s the truth: handling documentation gives you control and ensures transparency. If you blindly trust a seller to “take care of it all,” you might end up with fake or incomplete papers.
5. “It’s Family Land; We Don’t Have Titles Yet” In Nigeria, many disputes arise from “family land.” Sellers often claim they inherited the land and don’t have titles yet but promise to “regularize” the documents after you pay.
This is risky. Without proper titles, you could be buying into a web of family disputes. If they can’t produce a clear document, walk away.
6. “You Don’t Need to Inspect the Land” Imagine paying for land you’ve never seen. Unbelievable, right? Yet, it happens more often than you think. Some sellers will discourage you from inspecting the property by saying:
● “The land is far; I’ll show you pictures.”
● “The area is still developing, but it’s a good investment.” Never buy land without seeing it yourself—or better still, with a professional surveyor. Pictures can be deceiving, and some sellers will show you land that doesn’t even exist. 7. “Don’t Involve the Community” In many parts of Nigeria, land transactions involve local communities or traditional rulers. Some sellers, however, will warn you not to speak to the community, saying:
● “They’ll confuse you.”
● “The land doesn’t concern them.” This is a major red flag. Communities often have valuable information about the land, including its history, disputes, or encumbrances. If a seller is trying to cut them out of the process, something is likely wrong.
8. “The Survey Plan is With Someone Else” The survey plan is a crucial document that shows the exact location and size of the land. If a seller says it’s “with someone else” or promises to provide it after payment, be careful.
How can you verify what you’re buying without a survey plan? This excuse often hides fraudulent intentions.
9. “Don’t Worry About a Search; It’s Stressful” Conducting a search at the land registry is one of the most critical steps in due diligence. It confirms whether the land has a valid title and is free from disputes.
If a seller tells you not to bother, they’re trying to hide something. The search process might take time, but it’s worth every second.
10. “Just Trust Me” Finally, the ultimate red flag is when a seller relies solely on trust without offering proof. Real estate is a business transaction, not a friendship. Trust is good, but documents are better. How to Protect Yourself
• Ask Questions: Don’t feel intimidated. Ask for every document—C of O, Deed of Assignment, Survey Plan, and any other relevant papers.
• Hire a Professional: Get a lawyer, surveyor, or real estate expert to guide you.
• Do a Search: Visit the land registry to verify the property’s status.
• Visit the Land: Inspect the property yourself to confirm its existence and condition.
• Involve the Community: Speak to locals to understand the land’s history and avoid disputes.
Final Thoughts Chika’s story—and countless others like it—reminds us of one thing: due diligence is not negotiable.
If a seller’s responses sound suspicious or dismissive, take a step back. It’s better to miss out on a deal than to lose your hard-earned money.
In Nigeria’s real estate market, red flags are everywhere. Your job is to spot them, avoid them, and protect your investment. Don’t let pressure or promises cloud your judgment.
Always remember: it’s better to walk away than to walk into trouble. Your investment deserves protection. Don’t rush. Don’t assume. Verify everything.
Written by Dennis Isong, your trusted partner in Nigeria’s real estate market. Let’s guide you to safe and profitable property investments.
Business
PENGASSAN – Dangote Rift: A needless attack on private enterprise

The Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has described the rift between Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) as unfortunate, and a needless attack on private enterprise.
He noted that the strike had far-reaching implications on residents and businesses, as factories suffered cuts in production schedules, with a hike in transportation fare.
Fielding questions from reporters at MAN House, yesterday, while announcing the association’s coming Annual General Meeting (AGM), he revealed that imported products, which were not suffering disruption, were likely to fill the gap and if the rift rears its head again, it would affect daily workers and people in the logistics value chain that rely on the products made in those factories.
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN has said it decided to suspend its two-day strike to protect the jobs of its members in Dangote Refinery.The President, Festus Osifo, explained that the union was unsatisfied with the posting of about 800 sacked staff to Dangote’s subsidiaries to prevent job loss.
Business
FG Spends $2.86bn on External Debts Servicing – CBN
By August 2025, debt service climbed to $302.3m, which was $22.35m or 8 per cent higher than the $279.95m of August 2024.

The Federal Government spent a total of $2.86 billion to service external debt in the first eight months of 2025.
This was disclosed in the international payment data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The figure shows that external debts accounted for 69.1 percent of the country’s total foreign payments of $4.14 billion in the period.
In the same eight-month stretch of 2024, debt service stood at $3.06 billion, representing 70.7 percent of total foreign payments of $4.33 billion.
The figures show that while the absolute value of debt service fell by $198m between 2024 and 2025.
The share of debt in overall foreign payments has remained persistently high, with about seven out of every ten dollars leaving the country used to meet debt obligations.
The monthly breakdown highlights the volatility of Nigeria’s repayment schedule:
In January 2025, $540.67m was spent compared with $560.52m in January 2024, a fall of $19.85m or 3.5 per cent.
February 2025 recorded $276.73m, slightly below the $283.22m in February 2024, down by $6.49m or 2.3 per cent.March 2025 surged to $632.36m against $276.17m in March 2024, an increase of $356.19m or 129 per cent.
In April 2025, payments reached $557.79m, which was $342.59m or 159 per cent higher than the $215.20m of April 2024.
May 2025 stood at $230.92m, sharply lower than the $854.37m in May 2024, a drop of $623.45m or 73 per cent.
June 2025 rose to $143.39m compared with $50.82m in June 2024, a rise of $92.57m or 182 per cent.
July 2025 fell to $179.95m, down by $362.55m or 66.8 per cent from $542.5m in July 2024.
By August 2025, debt service climbed to $302.3m, which was $22.35m or 8 per cent higher than the $279.95m of August 2024.
Business
ECOWAS Bank okays $308.63m for Nigeria, Guinea
The bank gave the approval during its 93rd Ordinary Session convened at the it’s headquarters in Lomé, the Togolese capital.

ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), has approved $308.631 million for the implementation of various projects in Taraba State, Nigeria, and a $40 million credit line for Vista Bank, Guinea, to bolster trade-related activities, including import-export operations and commercial value chains.
The bank gave the approval during its 93rd Ordinary Session convened at the it’s headquarters in Lomé, the Togolese capital.
President and Chairman of Board of Directors of the bank, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, said the newly approved financing would advance strategic public and private sector initiatives, aligned with EBID’s mandate to promote sustainable development throughout the Economic Community of West African States by strengthening regional integration and fostering economic diversification.
The approved facilities include the $98.18 for a 50 MW Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Taraba State, Nigeria, , which will augment the supply of reliable, clean electricity to spur inclusive economic development, alleviate energy poverty, and improve environmental sustainability.
Anticipated benefits include direct electricity access for roughly 390,000 individuals, enhanced power reliability for at least 200 public institutions, the creation of 400 direct jobs during construction, and approximately 50 permanent operational roles.
The bank noted that an estimated 1,200–1,500 indirect jobs were expected to emerge across supply chains, maintenance services,and small businesses.
Another facility is the $79.219 million modern rice processing complex and 10,000-hectare irrigated rice production unit also in Taraba State.
Also included is the $91.232 million facility for Taraba State Industrial Park, an initiative conceived to accelerate local industrialisation and economic diversification through the establishment of a modern, integrated industrial ecosystem.
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