Property

Buying, selling, letting and holding property in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State — with the title checked before the money moves.

Property in Nigeria rewards caution at the beginning and punishes it at the end.

The transactions that go wrong are rarely complicated. They are ordinary purchases where nobody investigated the title properly, or where the paperwork was signed and never perfected, and the problem surfaces years later when the buyer tries to sell, mortgage or pass the property on.

The cost of checking is a fraction of the cost of discovering.

WHAT WE DO

Title investigation and due diligence

Searches at the relevant land registry, verification of the seller’s authority to sell, checks for encumbrances, government acquisition and competing interests, and a clear written report on what we found before you commit funds.

Sale and purchase

Contracts of sale, deeds of assignment, conveyancing and completion — acting for buyers or sellers.

Perfection of title

Governor’s consent, stamping and registration. The step most often skipped, because the buyer has the keys and assumes the matter is finished. An unperfected title is not a secure title, and the difficulty compounds with time.

Leases and tenancy

Tenancy agreements, lease agreements, renewals, and the recovery of premises where a tenant is in breach.

Property management

Acting for landlords managing let property — documentation, rent administration, renewals and enforcement.

Land disputes

Where ownership, boundaries or possession are in contention, this work runs alongside our [Litigation] practice.

Buying from abroad

Buying property in Nigeria while living elsewhere is common and entirely workable, provided somebody independent of the seller is verifying what you are being told.

We act for diaspora clients on searches and title investigation, sale and purchase documentation, perfection, and ongoing management of let property. Where you cannot attend in person, we advise on properly drawn powers of attorney so that someone can act for you within defined limits.

If you are being asked to send funds before a title search has been completed, treat that as a reason to pause.

You probably need this if

You are about to pay for a property and no search has been conducted
You bought years ago and never obtained Governor’s consent
You are buying from abroad and relying on somebody else’s assurances
You are a landlord with a tenant in breach
You have been offered a price that is notably below the market and cannot see why
Family land is being sold and you are unsure who is entitled to sell it

FAQ

How much does a property transaction cost in legal fees?

Property work is charged as a percentage of the transaction value, in line with the Nigerian Bar Association scale. Perfection costs — consent fees, stamp duty and registration — are separate and are paid to the relevant authorities. We set out both before you engage us.

What is perfection of title and why does it matter?

Perfection is obtaining Governor’s consent, stamping and registering the transaction. Until it is done, your interest is not fully recognised, which affects your ability to sell, mortgage or pass on the property, and weakens your position in a dispute.

Can I do a search myself?

You can request one. What we bring is knowing what the result means, what it fails to disclose, and which further enquiries the answer should prompt.