Almost every land deal that goes wrong in Lagos has the same origin story. Someone found a plot they liked, the price felt fair, the seller seemed genuine, and the buyer paid without doing the one or two checks that would have shown the problem before it became their problem. By the time they call me, the money is usually already gone.
I am not writing this to scare you away from buying land in Lagos. Land here is still one of the best investments you can make, especially in the growth corridors we talk about often. I am writing this because I would rather you know exactly what to check than find out the hard way what happens when you skip it.
Already know you want to buy and just want to see what is available? Browse our verified listings here.
This is the same checklist my team runs on every single plot before it goes up on our Lands page. Use it, whether you buy from us or from someone else.
Why Land Scams Happen So Often in Lagos
Lagos land is valuable, fast moving and, in many areas, still governed by a mix of formal state records and informal family or community claims. That combination is exactly what makes it attractive to scammers. A plot can look completely legitimate on the surface, survey plan in hand, papers that look official, a seller who is confident and friendly, and still be sitting on a problem that only shows up once you dig into it. The three problems I see most often are fake or altered documents, land sold to more than one buyer at the same time, and community or family land claims that were never properly settled before the sale.
The Documents You Must See Before You Pay Anything
Before a single naira changes hands, ask to see these, and do not accept photocopies as the final word on any of them.
- Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), or Governor’s Consent if the land has already changed hands before
- Survey Plan, prepared and sealed by a surveyor registered with the Lagos State Surveyor General
- Deed of Assignment from the seller’s own purchase, showing how they came to own it
- Receipt of the original purchase, as proof the seller actually paid for what they are now reselling
If any of these are missing, that is not automatically a dealbreaker, some genuine land is still mid process on its title. But it does mean you need to slow down and verify everything independently before you commit.
Red Flags That Should Make You Pause
- The seller pressures you to pay quickly before the price changes or another buyer takes it
- They refuse to let you visit the Land Registry yourself or bring your own lawyer
- The price is noticeably below what similar plots in the same area are selling for
- They ask for payment in cash only, with no receipt or documentation trail
- The land is described with vague labels like buy and build, free trade zone or government approved with nothing to back it up
None of these mean it is definitely a scam. But any one of them is a reason to verify harder before you move forward, not a reason to walk away from due diligence.
My Actual Verification Checklist
This is the process we run on every plot before it is ever offered to a client.
- Land Registry search. Confirm the registered title holder, and check for existing mortgages, cautions or encumbrances against the property. This is done at the Lagos State Lands Bureau, Alausa.
- Government acquisition check. Confirm the land has not been acquired by government for a road, drainage or infrastructure project, which is common in growth corridors like Lekki, Ibeju Lekki and Epe.
- Survey plan charting. Submit the survey plan to confirm the coordinates match what the seller claims, and that the land does not overlap with another parcel already sold.
- Litigation search. Check whether the property or the seller is tied to any active court case. Title cannot legally transfer while land is in litigation.
- Community and family land check. Where relevant, a courtesy visit to the local Baale or family head to confirm there is no unresolved traditional claim on the land.
- Independent legal review. Use your own lawyer, never the seller’s, to review every document before you sign anything or send a deposit.
Every one of these steps happens before payment, not after. If a seller or agent resists any of them, that alone tells you what you need to know.
If You Already Paid and You Are Worried
If you have already paid and something feels wrong, the biggest mistake is waiting. Speak to a property lawyer immediately, gather every receipt and document you have, and avoid confronting the seller alone, especially where omo onile groups are involved. The earlier a lawyer is involved, the more options you have.
How Dnovaaproperties Verifies Every Plot We List
Every listing on our Properties page goes through this exact process before it reaches a client, land, houses and shortlets included. That is also why our diaspora clients are comfortable buying from us while living abroad, the checks happen whether or not you can be physically present. If you want a specific example, our Epe land page walks through the title types we accept and reject in that corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I verify land in Lagos myself, without an agent?
Yes, everything on this checklist can be done directly at the relevant government offices. It takes more of your time and you will still want a lawyer for the legal documents, but it is possible.
How long does a proper verification take?
Land Registry and litigation searches typically take a few weeks. Rushing this step is exactly how people end up scammed, a genuine seller will understand the wait.
Is land without a C of O always risky?
Not always. Some genuine land is sold with a Deed of Assignment while the C of O is still being processed. The key is confirming the seller’s chain of ownership and that the land is not under any dispute, not the presence of one specific document alone.
Does this apply outside Lagos too?
The specific offices differ by state, but the principle is the same everywhere we operate, Lagos, Abuja, Ogun and Oyo. Read our Lagos vs Abuja comparison if you are weighing both markets.
If you are looking at a piece of land right now and something does not feel right, do not guess. Send me the details on WhatsApp and I will tell you honestly what I see, whether it is one of our listings or not.