Buying land in Nigeria is one of the most significant financial decisions anyone can make—but it’s also one of the most vulnerable. With high demand, loose regulations, and rising cases of land scams, making the wrong move can cost you millions, delay your building plans, or drag you into endless legal battles. Whether you're purchasing for personal use, investment, or development, skipping due diligence can leave you with nothing more than a receipt and regret. Unfortunately, many people get carried away by low prices, rushed timelines, or surface-level documents and fail to look deeper. But land, more than any other asset, must be verified thoroughly—not just on paper, but on ground and in law. In this article, we’ll walk you through five critical checks you must carry out before making any land payment, so you can invest confidently and avoid costly mistakes.

1. Review All Land Documents Thoroughly

Ask the seller for all relevant land documents. At a minimum, these should include:

• A registered Survey Plan

• Deed of Assignment, Allocation Letter, or Excision Document

• C of O, Governor’s Consent, or Gazette (if available)

You’re not just checking if documents exist—you’re checking:

• Who is named on them

• Whether they match the physical site

• If they were signed by authorized parties

• And if they’re legally recognized by the state

📌 Pro Tip: Fake documents are often presented with confidence. Always verify their authenticity.

2. Confirm the Land Status with the Government

Some lands may look fine but are actually under government acquisition or marked for future public use (like road expansion or drainage). Others might have encumbrances—meaning someone else has a legal interest in the land.

To confirm the status:

• Apply for a Land Information Certificate at the Lands Bureau

• Request a charting report to see if the land overlaps with any restricted zones

• Cross-check coordinates on the Survey Plan

📌 Pro Tip: If the land falls in a “committed area,” it’s not available for private ownership.

3. Conduct an On-Site Physical Inspection

Never rely on paperwork alone—visit the land physically. Why?

• You’ll confirm the actual boundaries match the survey plan

• You’ll see if there’s any dispute or encroachment

• You’ll notice if the land is flood-prone, waterlogged, or already occupied

• You can talk to local leaders (Baale or omo-onile) for community history

📌 Pro Tip: Go with a professional—surveyors, land consultants, or your legal team.

4. Run a Legal Search at the Land Registry

This step uncovers legal red flags you can’t see on the surface. A land may look clean, but it could have:

• Been used as collateral for a loan

• Be involved in ongoing litigation

• Have a title that has already been transferred to someone else

Your lawyer or consultant can help:

• File a search request at the Lands Registry

• Review the chain of ownership

• Confirm whether the land is truly available for sale

📌 Pro Tip: Skipping this step is a leading cause of double sales and land-related court cases.

5. Document Everything and Move Cautiously

From the moment you show interest, keep a record of:

• All verbal and written communication

• Copies of documents shared

• Receipts, agreements, and photographs

Even WhatsApp messages, emails, or handwritten notes can become useful if a dispute arises.

📌 Pro Tip: Don’t pay in cash without traceable receipts. Always use secure payment channels and have a legal agreement in place.

Protect Yourself with Dejam Consults

We offer:

• Document-based land verification

• On-site inspections and reports

• Legal title search support

• Guidance on what to do—and what to avoid

Buying land should give you peace of mind, not problems. Let’s help you get it right from the start.

📩 Need to verify land now?
 Reach us at: info@dejamconsults.ng