Land Documents in Nigeria: What to Check Before You Build
Before you spend on blocks and cement, make sure the land and your plans are in order.
Survey plan
A registered surveyor's plan showing the plot's beacons, dimensions and area. Always do a charting search at the state Surveyor-General's office. You can upload your survey plan to make your estimate use your exact plot size and boundary length.
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
Issued by the state government as evidence of a statutory right of occupancy, usually for 99 years.
Governor's Consent
Required when land that already has a C of O changes hands.
Deed of Assignment
Transfers the seller's interest to the buyer; it should be registered at the land registry.
Joint ventures with landowners
Many developments are joint ventures: the landowner contributes land and the developer builds and sells, sharing units or profit 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30, sometimes with an upfront premium. Model any split in the Developer Suite, which tells you the largest share you can offer and still keep your margin.
Building plan approval
Drawings must be approved by the state planning authority (e.g. LASPPPA in Lagos, DCD in Abuja) before construction. See our Lagos approval budgeting guide.
General information, not legal advice. Use a property lawyer and a registered surveyor for every land purchase.
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