Documents You Need to Have When Buying Property in Nigeria

When you're ready to buy property in Nigeria, there are a few key documents you'll need to have in order to make the process as smooth as possible. In this blog post, we'll run through a few of the most important ones.     

The first document you'll need is a certificate of occupancy. This document, issued by the Nigerian government, serves as proof that the property in question is indeed owned by the seller. It's important to note that not all property in Nigeria is legally registered, so be sure to do your due diligence before making any offers.      

The second document you'll need is a title deed. This document, issued by the Nigerian Lands Registry, proves that the title to the property is indeed valid and registered in the seller's name. Again, not all property in Nigeria is legally registered, so be sure to do your due diligence.      

The third document you'll need is a survey plan. This document, prepared by a licensed surveyor, shows the boundaries of the property you're planning to purchase. It's important to make sure that the survey plan matches the description of the property in the sales contract, as there have been instances of fraud in which the survey plan does not match the description.      

The fourth and final document you'll need is a sales contract. This document, prepared by a solicitor, sets out the terms of the sale and includes the names of the buyer and seller, the purchase price, and a description of the property. Be sure to have a sales contract in place before making any payments, as this will protect you in the event that something goes wrong.      

So there you have it! A few of the key documents you'll need to purchase property in Nigeria. Be sure to do your due diligence and get everything in order before making any offers. One other thing to keep in mind is that, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian government has put in place a number of restrictions on property purchases. Be sure to check with your solicitor or the Nigerian Embassy for the most up-to-date information. In closing, we want to wish you the best of luck in your property purchase!