If you’ve ever bought land in Nigeria, you probably know that the process doesn’t end once you’ve made payment. There’s still one crucial step that separates real ownership from mere possession, and that is land registration. Many land buyers ignore this step because they assume once they have a receipt and survey plan, they are safe. Unfortunately, that’s how a lot of people lose their land. In this article, we’ll break down why you must always register land with the state government, using a real-life story and clear explanations to help you understand how vital it is for your peace of mind and financial safety.

1. The Story of Mr. Okoro and His Lost Land

Let’s start with a story that mirrors what happens every week in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

Mr. Okoro, a hardworking businessman who had been living in the UK for over fifteen years, decided it was time to build his retirement home in Lagos. He sent money to his cousin to help him buy a plot of land in Ibeju-Lekki. Everything seemed fine. He got pictures, a land receipt, a survey plan, and even an agreement signed by the family that sold the land.

Two years later, he returned to Nigeria, full of excitement and ready to start building. But when he arrived at the site, he met a big surprise — a tall fence with another man’s name boldly written on it. He tried to fight back, showing all his documents. But the other man pulled out a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) issued by the Lagos State Government.

In the end, Mr. Okoro’s documents couldn’t stand the test of law because he never registered the land. His papers were private agreements, while the other man’s papers were government-backed legal titles. The land was gone.

This story may sound painful, but it’s common. The truth is, until your land is registered with the state government, your ownership is not fully protected by law. That’s the heart of why you must always register land with the state government.

2. Understanding What It Means to Register Land

Before we go deeper, let’s make sure we understand what land registration actually means.

In simple terms, land registration is the process of officially recording the ownership of land in the government’s registry. When you register land, the government recognizes you as the rightful owner, and your details are entered into a legal record that no one can easily dispute.

It’s like the difference between saying “I own this land” and being able to prove it in a court of law. Registration gives your ownership legal backing.

In Lagos State, for example, the process usually involves submitting your Deed of Assignment, Survey Plan, and other required documents to the Lagos State Lands Bureau. After verification, the land is registered in your name, and you are issued a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or a Governor’s Consent depending on the land’s status.

This process may take time and cost some money, but it is the only way to make your ownership secure.

3. The Legal and Financial Importance of Land Registration

To understand why you must always register land with the state government, you have to see it from both legal and financial angles.

Legally, land registration gives you a recognized title that can stand in any court of law. If someone challenges your ownership, your registered document is the government’s evidence that you own that property. Unregistered documents like receipts, family agreements, or traditional titles have limited weight in court.

From a financial point of view, registration adds massive value to your property. Banks and financial institutions do not accept unregistered land as collateral because it lacks legal certainty. But once your land is registered, it becomes an asset you can use to secure loans or investments.

In Lagos, land registration also prevents double ownership. Many times, multiple people claim the same piece of land because sellers resell it to different buyers. But once a land is registered, it becomes part of the government’s land registry. That means anyone doing a search can see that it already belongs to you.

Another important point is that registration ensures the government can issue you a Governor’s Consent, which is a legal endorsement of your ownership. Without that, your ownership is incomplete under Nigerian land laws, especially as stated in the Land Use Act of 1978, which gives all lands in each state to the Governor in trust for the people.

So, when you register, you are not just following procedure — you are aligning your ownership with the law itself.

4. How Registration Protects You from Common Land Problems

One major reason why you must always register land with the state government is that it protects you from the most common problems landowners face in Nigeria.

Let’s be honest, buying land here can be tricky. There are family disputes, fake documents, double sales, and fraudulent agents who can easily deceive unsuspecting buyers. But with registration, your risk drops significantly.

Imagine you buy land from a local family without registering it. Later, a new family head or member comes and claims they never sold that land. You may show your receipt and survey, but unless your title is registered, you will spend years in court without a clear win.

Now, imagine the same situation but your land is registered. The government’s record will show that the land was transferred to you legally. The family cannot override that record. Even if they take you to court, your registered title will defend you automatically.

Another scenario is government acquisition. Some lands in Lagos and other states are under government acquisition or designated for public projects. If you buy such land without proper investigation and registration, you can lose it without compensation.

But during the registration process, the government verifies the land’s status. If it is under acquisition, they will inform you, and you can take steps to regularize or avoid the deal entirely. This process acts as a safety net for buyers who might otherwise walk into legal traps.

Registration also helps when selling or transferring your property in the future. Buyers trust registered land more because it shows transparency and authenticity. That means you can sell faster and at a better price.

5. The Real Cost of Ignoring Land Registration

Let’s talk about what happens when people ignore this vital step.

Many people refuse to register their land because they want to “save money.” They think, “Why should I spend extra when I already have a receipt and survey?” Unfortunately, that short-term saving often leads to long-term losses.

In Lagos, for example, there are people who bought land ten years ago but can’t develop it today because of ownership disputes. Some can’t even get building approval because the land isn’t registered. Others lost their land to government acquisition or to another buyer who was smart enough to register first.

Unregistered land is also difficult to sell or lease, especially to serious investors. When buyers do a land search and find no record of ownership under your name, they either pull out or offer a very low price.

And here’s another angle: even if no one contests your land, your children may face issues in the future. Inheritance cases become messy when properties are not registered. Your family may have to go through stress and court battles to prove what should have been clear from the start.

So, when you think about it deeply, the cost of registration is nothing compared to the cost of losing your land.

Now, let’s bring it home.

Many Lagosians in the diaspora often rely on family or friends to buy land on their behalf. That’s good, but if the land is not registered, it’s still exposed. As someone who works closely with Nigerians abroad, I always emphasize this point. Don’t just buy land — secure it legally. The state government’s record is your ultimate proof of ownership.

Wrapping Up: Your Land Is Only as Secure as Its Registration

At this point, it should be clear why you must always register land with the state government. It’s not about following bureaucracy; it’s about protecting your investment, your peace of mind, and your legacy.

Registration turns your land into a legally recognized asset. It saves you from disputes, protects your family’s future, and increases your property’s value. Whether it’s a plot in Epe, a duplex in Ajah, or farmland in Ogun, registration is the difference between ownership and vulnerability.

The truth is, Nigeria’s property market is growing fast, and the government is becoming more strict about documentation. Those who register their lands early are the ones who will enjoy stress-free ownership tomorrow.

So, before you celebrate your new land purchase, ask yourself: Is my land registered? If not, make it your next step. The small effort today will save you from big problems tomorrow.

And if you ever need guidance on how to go about it — from verification to registration — work with a trusted realtor who understands the process deeply.

Dennis Isong is a Top Realtor in Lagos. He helps Nigerians in the diaspora to own property in Lagos, Nigeria stress-free.
For questions, WhatsApp/Call +2348164741041.