Buying land in Nigeria is more than just sending money and shaking hands. If all you collect is a receipt, you’re leaving yourself wide open to problems.
Too many people buy land without asking for the right documents and later find out they don’t have any legal proof that the land belongs to them. That’s a hard and expensive lesson to learn.
This post breaks down the key documents you must collect when buying land or property in Nigeria. These aren’t just extras, they’re the papers that prove you’re the owner.
Let’s go through them one by one, so you know exactly what to ask for before walking away from any land deal.
- Deed of Assignment
This is one of the most important documents in any land transaction. A Deed of Assignment is what officially transfers ownership of the land from the seller to the buyer.
It’s not just paperwork, it’s legal proof that the land now belongs to you.
A proper Deed of Assignment should include:
The full names of the buyer and seller
A clear description of the land
The date the transaction took place
The terms and conditions of the transfer
Signatures of both parties and their witnesses
Legal stamps and seals
Once signed, it must be registered at the Land Registry and stamped at the Stamp Duties Office. After registration, the land is usually recorded under either a Governor’s Consent or a Registered Conveyance.
No matter how friendly the deal is, if you don’t collect and register the Deed of Assignment, there’s nothing to legally prove you own the land.
- Survey Plan
A Survey Plan shows exactly where your land is, its size, and its boundaries. Without it, you don’t have clear proof of what you actually bought.
More importantly, it helps you confirm whether the land is under government acquisition or if it’s free to own.
A valid Survey Plan should include:
Name of the landowner
Full address or location of the land
Land size in square metres
Beacon numbers and coordinates
Surveyor’s name, signature, and date
A stamp showing the land’s status (acquired or free)
In Lagos, only surveyors registered with the Office of the Surveyor General are allowed to produce official survey plans.
No survey? No boundary. And that means serious risk.
- Sales Invoice & Receipts
A lot of buyers think one receipt is enough. It’s not. You need to collect a Sales Invoice and Receipts that reflect all the payments you’ve made.
Here’s the difference:
- The Sales Invoice shows the full cost of the land, including any extra charges (like survey or legal fees).
- The Receipts prove how much you’ve paid so far, especially useful if you’re paying in instalments.
Always collect a receipt for every payment you make, not just the first one. Whether it’s the initial deposit or the final balance, make sure each transaction is documented.
In any land dispute, receipts are often the first thing the court or lawyers ask for. They protect you.
- Contract of Sale
If you’re buying land in instalments, the Contract of Sale is a must.
It’s a temporary agreement between you and the seller that outlines the terms of the deal while you complete your payments. It protects both sides and helps avoid misunderstandings.
A proper Contract of Sale should include:
Full names and contact details of buyer and seller
Description of the property
Agreed purchase price
Payment terms and deadlines
What happens if one party fails to keep the agreement
Conditions for refund or cancellation
Once full payment is made, the Contract of Sale is usually replaced with a Deed of Assignment.
Without this document, if anything goes wrong during the instalment period, it can be hard to prove what was agreed.
- Building Plan Approval
If you’re buying a house or any developed property, don’t stop at land documents. You need to ask for the Building Plan Approval.
This document proves that the building was legally approved by the government. Without it, the property could be marked for demolition even if you paid full price.
In Lagos State, getting a Building Plan Approval usually requires:
A valid survey plan
Architectural and structural drawings (by certified professionals)
Proof of ownership
Land Use Charge receipt
Tax clearance certificate
Soil test report (for buildings above two floors)
Site photographs
Attestation form
Payment of assessment fees
The approval is issued by LASPPPA (Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority), and LASBCA ensures the structure meets safety standards.
If the seller can’t provide this document, ask questions. A missing approval can lead to major problems later.
- Other Documents That May Apply
Depending on where you’re buying and how the land was acquired, there are other documents you might need. These aren’t just “extras, they’re often just as important as the main ones.
Here are a few to look out for:
Allocation Letter: If the land came from a government scheme or estate, this shows your name as the original allottee.
Deed of Sublease: Common in private estates, especially where the estate holds the main title and issues subleases to individual buyers.
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O): If you’re the first person to own the land, this is what you should get from the government.
Governor’s Consent: If you’re buying from someone who already has a C of O, this is what legalises the transfer.
Court Judgment: If the land was awarded through a legal case, this serves as the root title.
Power of Attorney: If someone is acting on behalf of the original landowner, they must present this document, and it must be properly registered.
Each of these documents plays a role in confirming that your land is genuinely yours.
Final Thoughts: Your Land Transaction Isn’t Complete Without These Documents
Paying for land is just one part of the process. The real protection comes from collecting the right documents.
Here’s a quick checklist to remember:
Deed of Assignment – proves legal ownership
Survey Plan – confirms size, location, and if the land is free
Sales Invoice & Receipts – track all payments made
Contract of Sale – protects you during instalment payments
Building Plan Approval – required for developed properties
Other documents like Allocation Letters, Power of Attorney, or Governor’s Consent, depending on your case
If any of these are missing, don’t move forward. Ask questions. Get legal help. And never let anyone rush you.
In the next post, you’ll learn how to verify land titles, what to check, where to check, and who to asso you don’t get tricked by fake documents.
Stay smart, stay prepared, and always collect what matters.
