How do I check that land in Lagos is not under government acquisition before I buy?

Question

Seeded question. The 9jah team wrote this question and its answer on 2 September 2026 to start the site. The answer was checked on that date, but prices and rules in Nigeria change, so add what you know or correct it below.

Found a plot in Ibeju-Lekki. How do I confirm the land is free and the seller owns it?

9jah · Accepted Answer

Three checks, in this order:

Get the survey plan with coordinates from the seller and take it to the Lagos State Office of the Surveyor General for charting. The chart shows whether the land is free, committed, or under government acquisition.
Do a search at the Lagos State Lands Registry in Alausa on whatever title the seller shows (C of O, deed of assignment, gazette or excision). A lawyer can do this for you.
Confirm the family or company selling actually holds that title, and pay only against a receipt and a signed deed.

Charting and a registry search cost tens of thousands of naira plus the lawyer's fee. It is cheap compared with losing the plot. Land sold by omo onile without a registered excision is the most common loss people report.

Checked by the 9jah team on 2 September 2026. Corrections welcome.

How do I check that land in Lagos is not under government acquisition before I buy?

1 Answers