Don’t pay yet: 7 things to verify before buying land advertised online

Nigerians buying land advertised on social media should physically inspect the site, verify titles, registration and layouts, and pay only into verified corporate accounts backed by signed contracts.

Nigerian buyers are being urged to verify seven things before paying for land advertised on social media, Tribune Online reports. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook have turned into giant digital marketplaces for real estate, but many buyers have lost millions of Naira by trusting promotional videos and celebrity endorsements over basic legal due diligence, the publication said.

The seven checks are:

1. Physical site visit: Inspect the boundaries in person or through a trusted representative, rather than relying on drone footage or short video tours.
2. Land charting: Take the plot’s coordinates to the state surveyor general’s office to confirm it is not under government acquisition.
3. Title documents: A claimed “Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)” or “Governor’s Consent” does not equal legal ownership, so conduct an official search at the land registry.
4. Company registration: Confirm the developer is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and, in Lagos, with LASRERA.
5. Approved layout: Demand the approved layout plan and perimeter survey to avoid plots being sold to multiple buyers.
6. Ownership history: When buying from “Omoniles,” engage a lawyer to confirm all recognised family representatives agree to the sale.
7. Payment and contracts: Pay only into the verified corporate account, backed by a signed Contract of Sale, Deed of Assignment and official receipts, before you “transfer a single Naira.”

Taking these basic verification steps, the publication said, will shield buyers’ hard-earned income from real estate scams and guarantee a peaceful property ownership journey.