Buying land in Nigeria can change your life—or ruin your finances. With fake agents, family land disputes, and unverified titles everywhere, it’s easy to lose millions if you don’t know what to do.
But with the right knowledge, buying land in Nigeria can be one of the smartest investments you’ll ever make. This guide breaks it all down in plain English—whether you’re in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles.
📑 Table of Contents
-
Why Land is a Smart Investment in Nigeria
-
Step-by-Step: How to Buy Land in Nigeria
-
Types of Land Titles You Should Know
-
How Much Does Land Cost in Nigeria?
-
Land for Diaspora Buyers (UK, US, Canada)
-
Tools, Agencies & Platforms to Use
-
Final Checklist Before You Pay
1. 💡 Why Land is a Smart Investment in Nigeria
-
Land appreciates faster than most assets.
-
No maintenance costs compared to buildings.
-
Flexible use: build, lease, resell, or flip.
-
Perfect for diaspora buyers looking to secure property from abroad.
📊 Example: Land in Epe sold for ₦700K in 2020. Today, it’s worth over ₦2.5M—over 250% growth.
2. 🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Buy Land in Nigeria (2025)
Step | Action |
---|---|
1️⃣ | Define your budget and location |
2️⃣ | Use verified platforms (PropertyPro, Nigeria Property Centre, etc.) |
3️⃣ | Visit site with a surveyor |
4️⃣ | Ask for C of O, Deed, or Gazette |
5️⃣ | Conduct land search at Ministry of Lands |
6️⃣ | Negotiate and pay only after verification |
7️⃣ | Sign Deed of Assignment |
8️⃣ | Process title transfer to your name |
✅ Tip: Never pay without verifying ownership—even if the seller is your uncle.
3. 📘 Types of Land Titles in Nigeria
Title | Meaning | Red Flags |
---|---|---|
C of O | Government-issued ownership | None (gold standard) |
Deed of Assignment | Private transfer record | Must check history |
Excision | Government release of land to community | Must be gazetted |
Gazette | Official record of excised land | Verify from ministry |
R of O | Temporary title, often used for farmland | Not as strong as C of O |
Family Land | Owned by lineage or community | Disputes are common |
4. 🚨 Red Flags to Avoid
❌ Land without documents
❌ Sellers with “no traceable history”
❌ “Omonile” demanding unapproved fees
❌ No beacon or survey plan
❌ Land located under high-tension wires or flood zone
❌ Pressured to “buy before price goes up tomorrow”
💡 Verify with LASRERA or State Land Registries. Use a lawyer for every transaction.
5. 💰 How Much Does Land Cost in Nigeria (2025)?
Location | Avg Price (500sqm) | Trend |
---|---|---|
Lekki Phase 1 | ₦80M – ₦150M | Stable |
Epe | ₦2M – ₦5M | Rising |
Ibadan | ₦2.5M – ₦7M | Fast Growth |
Abuja (Gwarinpa) | ₦10M – ₦30M | Competitive |
Abeokuta | ₦1M – ₦3M | High Demand |
Uyo/Calabar | ₦700K – ₦2M | Underrated |
📊 See our weekly Property Index for live updates.
6. 🌍 Buying Land from Abroad (Diaspora Tips)
Thousands of Nigerians abroad are buying land—but scammers target them most.
✅ How to stay safe:
-
Use SEC-registered platforms (e.g., Wealth.ng, Spleet Invest)
-
Request video walkthroughs of land & documents
-
Authorize a lawyer to act as your rep in Nigeria
-
Avoid any agent asking for only WhatsApp communication
📌 Tip: Check seller reputation on Trustpilot or Nigerian forums.
7. 🛠️ Tools, Agencies & Platforms
Platform | Use |
---|---|
PropertyPro.ng | Land & house listings |
NigeriaPropertyCentre | Market trends |
Spleet, BuyLetLive | Proptech rentals |
LASRERA | Lagos land verification |
Wealth.ng | Diaspora investment |
CAC.gov.ng | Seller company check |
8. ✅ Final Checklist Before You Pay
✅ Seller is traceable & verified
✅ Land has valid title (C of O or equivalent)
✅ Search conducted at ministry
✅ Survey plan matches land
✅ Deed of Assignment ready
✅ Lawyer is involved
✅ Receipts + witnesses present
🧭 What’s Next?
-
Read our Land Verification Guide
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings