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Top 7 Mistakes Nigerians Make When Buying Land — And How to Avoid Them in 2025

Mistakes When Buying Land in Nigeria

You’ve heard it before: “I bought land and lost everything.”

Land scams are now a ₦1.4 billion problem annually in Nigeria (source: Vanguard, 2025). But the truth is, most buyers lose money because of avoidable mistakes.

In this post, I’ll break down 7 common mistakes Nigerians make when buying land — and exactly how to avoid them in 2025.


📌 Table of Contents

  1. Not Verifying the Title

  2. Ignoring Zoning and Land Use

  3. Buying Without Seeing the Site

  4. Trusting “Instagram Agents”

  5. Skipping a Lawyer

  6. Not Budgeting for Development

  7. Rushing Into “Too Good to Be True” Deals
    Bonus: How Smart Buyers Win


1. ❌ Not Verifying the Title

Why It Matters:
You can’t build or resell a land that doesn’t legally belong to you.

My Take:
Always ask for:

🧠 Tip: Go to the state land registry or use LASRERA to verify (₦10K–₦50K).


2. ❌ Ignoring Zoning and Land Use

Why It Matters:
Some land is zoned for agriculture, not residential. Build there, and you’ll face demolition.

Example:
A man in Ibeju-Lekki bought 2 plots and started building. Area was zoned for government roads. He lost ₦12M.

✅ Tip: Ask the surveyor about “land use classification” before you buy.


3. ❌ Buying Without Seeing the Site

Would you buy a car from a WhatsApp pic?
So why do it for land?

My Take:
Too many buyers fall for “estate” brochures with no actual layout or location visit.

✅ Tip: Always inspect — or send someone you trust. Use Google Maps to cross-check the site too.


4. ❌ Trusting “Instagram Agents”

Social media is full of realtors with flashy graphics and zero documentation.

Example:
Joy in Canada paid ₦4M to a “real estate influencer” on IG. Plot didn’t exist. Police case still unresolved.

✅ Tip: Work only with registered agents or verified sourcing companies. Demand paperwork before payment.


5. ❌ Skipping a Lawyer

A lawyer costs ₦50K–₦150K.
Land loss costs ₦5M–₦50M. You do the math.

My Take:
A lawyer helps you check documents, draft agreement, and register your interest — legally.


6. ❌ Not Budgeting for Development

Buying the land is just the beginning.
Think: fencing, sand-filling, survey fees, legal fees, Omonile charges.

My Take:
If your total budget is ₦2M, don’t buy a ₦2M plot. Buy a ₦1.2M plot and plan the rest for development.


7. ❌ Rushing Into “Too Good to Be True” Deals

Promo plots, 50% discount, buy 1 get 1 free. Sounds sweet — until you realize the land is swampland.

Tip:
There’s no free land in Nigeria. If it’s too cheap to be real, it probably isn’t.


💼 Bonus: How Smart Buyers Win

✅ Always verify the title
✅ Inspect physically
✅ Use a lawyer
✅ Work with registered firms
✅ Don’t overspend on hype zones


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Written by neche

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