5 Documents You Must See Before Buying Property in Nigeria

Most property disputes in Nigeria come down to one thing: paperwork. Either it was never there, it was forged, or the buyer didn't check it properly before paying. The law in Nigeria is clear that land ownership requires proper documentation, but the burden is on the buyer to verify.

Before you hand over any money for property in Nigeria, make sure you have seen and verified all five of these documents.

Related: AGIS – Abuja Land Title Verification Portal↗

1. Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)

The Certificate of Occupancy is the strongest title document in Nigeria. It is issued by the state government (or FCT Administration in Abuja) and grants the holder the right to occupy and use the land for a specified period, typically 99 years. Without a C of O, what you're buying may have no legally enforceable ownership backing.

How to verify: In Abuja, take the C of O number to the AGIS office or use their portal to confirm it is genuine, registered to the seller, and not subject to any government revocation or acquisition notice.

2. Right of Occupancy (R of O)

The Right of Occupancy is similar to the C of O but issued through a slightly different process. It is equally valid, accepted by Nigerian banks for mortgage purposes, and widely used in the FCT. If a seller is presenting an R of O as their title, the verification process is the same, confirm through the relevant land registry that the document is genuine and that the seller is the registered holder.

Do not accept a photocopy without seeing the original. And never pay before the verification is complete.

3. Governor's Consent

Here is where many buyers make an expensive mistake. When a property that already has a C of O or R of O is resold, the transfer of that title is not legally complete without Governor's Consent. This is required under the Land Use Act.

If a seller is reselling a property and cannot show you either the Governor's Consent or confirmation that it is being processed, the ownership transfer will be legally incomplete even after you pay. Always ask: has Governor's Consent been obtained, or is this the first transfer from the original title holder?

4. Survey Plan

A Survey Plan is a technical document that describes the exact boundaries of the land, its size, shape, location coordinates, and how it relates to surrounding plots. It is prepared by a licensed surveyor and should correspond precisely to the land you are being sold.

Before completing a purchase, take the survey plan to a licensed surveyor and have them confirm that the plot boundaries are correct, that the land does not overlap with government-acquired land, and that the measurements match what's on the ground.

Related: Surveyors Council of Nigeria↗

5. Deed of Assignment

The Deed of Assignment is the document that records the transfer of ownership from seller to buyer. It must be properly drafted by a lawyer, signed by both parties, and, critically, supported by a valid underlying title (C of O or R of O). A Deed of Assignment floating on its own, without a verified head title behind it, is legally weak and potentially worthless.

Have a property lawyer draft or review the Deed before signing. This is not a cost to cut.

Once your documents check out, the next step is confirming you're dealing with a trusted real estate developer in Nigeria

What Happens If Any of These Are Missing?

If a seller cannot produce any of these documents, or resists your attempt to verify them, that is your signal to stop. There is no legitimate reason for a genuine seller to obstruct a buyer's due diligence. Either the documents don't exist, they're forged, or there's a dispute the seller isn't disclosing. In any of those cases, walking away is the right decision.

Buying through a reputable developer with REDAN certification and a clean documentation trail removes much of this risk; the documents exist, they've been prepared properly, and you can verify them independently.

Read also: 7 Signs a Property Developer in Nigeria is Legit

Read also: A Buyer's Guide to Top Real Estate in Nigeria

Leisure Court provides full documentation on all its Abuja properties. Explore verified-title estates at our Premium Properties Across Nigeria