Buying land in Lagos is not risky.
Buying land without a process is.
Most property problems I see today did not start with a scam.
They started with rushing.
Or skipping one small step that looked unimportant at the time.
This article will slow you down.
It will show you the real process.
Not the loud version.
The safe one.
Especially if you live abroad.
Why Buying Land Feels Confusing
Many buyers feel anxious, even before paying.
You hear stories.
Lost money.
Court cases.
Family disputes.
This does not mean land is unsafe.
It means the process is often misunderstood.
Land ownership is legal.
Not emotional.
Not verbal.
Not based on trust.
When the process is clear, fear reduces.
Step One: Confirm Who Truly Owns the Land
The first question is not price.
It is ownership.
Who owns this land legally?
Not who is selling it.
Not who introduced it.
Ownership must be proven on record.
If this step is skipped, every other step becomes weak.
Many disputes in Lagos come from selling land that the seller does not legally control.
Step Two: Check the Title Status Carefully
Not all land titles are equal.
Some land has government approval.
Some does not.
Some is still under review.
A document name alone is not enough.
You must confirm:
- What the title covers
- If it applies to that exact land
- If it is still valid
Clean land starts with clear title.
Step Three: Inspect the Land Physically
Never buy land you have not inspected.
Even if you trust the seller.
Even if you live abroad.
Inspection answers simple questions:
- Is the land accessible?
- Is it already occupied?
- Are there visible disputes?
Photos are not inspection.
Videos are not inspection.
Presence matters.
Step Four: Verify the Survey and Coordinates
A survey shows where the land truly sits.
Not just on paper.
But on the ground.
This step ensures:
- The land matches the title
- The size is correct
- The location is accurate
Many buyers lose land because the survey was never verified.
Step Five: Use Professionals, Not Shortcuts
Land buying is not a place to save cost.
Lawyers.
Surveyors.
Experienced consultants.
Each protects a different risk.
Most losses happen when buyers rely only on agents or family friends.
Professional checks cost less than future disputes.
Step Six: Perfect the Documents Properly
Buying land does not end with payment.
Ownership is completed through documentation.
This includes:
- Deed registration
- Government consent
- Proper filing
Without this, ownership remains incomplete.
Enjoyment comes after perfection.
The Truth Many Buyers Learn Late
Property safety is not luck.
It is process.
When you follow the steps, problems reduce.
When you rush, stress follows.
This is why I slow buyers down.
Peace of mind matters more than speed.
Final Thought
Buying land in Lagos can be calm.
It can be safe.
It can be rewarding.
But only when you respect the process.
Clarity protects money.
Process protects peace.
