Many Nigerians abroad want to buy land in Lagos.
They want a place to return to.
They want security.
They want peace of mind.
But fear usually comes first.
Fear of scams.
Fear of bad documents.
Fear of problems years later.
This fear is normal.
It does not mean you are careless.
It means you want to do things properly.
The truth is simple.
Buying land in Lagos is not dangerous.
Buying land without a clear process is.
Let me slow this down for you.
Why Most Land Problems Start Quietly
Most land disputes do not start with fraud.
They start with skipped steps.
Someone trusts a verbal promise.
Someone assumes documents are “almost ready.”
Someone buys because the price feels urgent.
Later, the problems appear.
Not immediately.
Sometimes years later.
By then, fixing it is harder and more expensive.
This is why process matters more than price.
Step One: Confirm Who Truly Owns the Land
Ownership in Lagos is legal, not emotional.
It does not matter who is selling.
It does not matter who introduced you.
What matters is this:
Who does the government recognize as the owner?
This is checked through proper land searches.
Not screenshots.
Not WhatsApp messages.
Until this is clear, nothing else should move forward.
Step Two: Understand the Title (Not Just the Name)
Many buyers hear words like:
• Excision
• Gazette
• Certificate of Occupancy
They nod and move on.
This is risky.
A title tells you the level of government approval on that land.
It tells you what you can safely build.
It tells you what can go wrong later.
If you do not understand the title, pause.
Ask questions.
Get it explained in simple terms.
Confusion today becomes regret tomorrow.
Step Three: Inspect the Land Physically
Even if you live abroad, the land must be inspected.
Not just photos.
Not just videos.
Someone you trust must walk the land.
Check access roads.
Confirm boundaries.
Confirm there are no visible disputes.
Land issues are often physical before they become legal.
Step Four: Document Everything Properly
Clean land is not the same as documented land.
A receipt is not ownership.
A survey alone is not protection.
Your documents must be complete.
They must be verifiable.
They must be registered properly.
This step takes time.
That is normal.
Speed is not safety.
Process is.
Step Five: Slow Down Before You Pay
Rushed payments create silent pressure.
Once money moves, emotions rise.
Clear thinking drops.
A good deal today should still be a good deal tomorrow.
If urgency is the main selling point, pause.
Land will always exist.
Peace of mind is harder to replace.
The Calm Truth Most Buyers Miss
Property problems are rarely sudden.
They are usually delayed.
Doing it properly may feel slow now.
But it saves you years of stress later.
The goal is not just to buy land.
The goal is to enjoy it in peace.
That only happens when the process is respected.
If you are buying land in Lagos from abroad, clarity is your strongest protection.
Not luck.
Not speed.
Just clear steps, taken calmly.
