Land is the dream of many Nigerians. It is also where many people lose their hard-earned money. A seller shows you a plot, a “Deed”, a receipt and a smiling face, and you pay. Months later, you find out the land belongs to someone else, or that the government has acquired it, or that three other buyers were sold the same plot.
The good news is that this is avoidable. In Oyo State, a proper check takes time and patience, but it protects you from losses that can take years to fix. Here is how to do it.
Step 1: Ask for the documents, then ask for more
Start by asking the seller for every document they have on the land. Depending on the plot, you may be shown:
- Certificate of Occupancy (C of O): The government’s document confirming a right of occupancy over the land.
- Deed of Assignment: The document that transfers the land from one person to another.
- Survey Plan: A drawing by a licensed surveyor showing the exact size, boundaries and location of the plot.
- Governor’s Consent: Approval from the state government for the transfer of land that already has a statutory title.
- Receipts and an agreement for sale: Evidence of previous payments and transactions.
If the seller is unwilling to show you documents, or keeps saying “the papers are coming,” treat that as a warning. A genuine seller expects questions.
Step 2: Confirm the seller is the real owner
A beautiful document means nothing if the person selling is not the owner. Ask for a valid ID and check that the name on the documents matches. If the land is family land, find out who has the authority to sell it. Many problems start when one family member sells without the consent of the others.
Ask direct questions: How did you acquire this land? Who owned it before you? Has it ever been sold, mortgaged or taken to court? The answers should be consistent with the documents.
Step 3: Check the Survey Plan
Take the Survey Plan seriously. Have a licensed surveyor confirm that the plan is genuine, that the coordinates match the actual plot on the ground, and that the land does not fall inside a government acquisition or a restricted area.
Walk the land with the surveyor. Check that the beacons are in place and that the size you are paying for matches the size on the ground. It is common for buyers to pay for a full plot and later discover they are standing on a smaller one.
Step 4: Search the documents at the Land Registry
This is the step many buyers skip, and it is the most important one. An official search at the Oyo State Land Registry shows whether a document is registered, who the registered owner is, and whether there are other claims or transactions attached to the land.
Land title matters are handled by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan. The state has also moved toward digitized C of O documents under its Home Owners Charter scheme. Processes and requirements can change, so always confirm the current steps at the ministry or through a professional who deals with it regularly.
Step 5: Check for acquisition and government claims
Some land in Oyo State may fall under government acquisition or planning schemes. Buying such land can lead to demolition or loss of the property. Ask your surveyor or a land professional to confirm whether the plot is free of acquisition.
Step 6: Deal with the family and the community
In many parts of Ibadan, land has strong ties to a family or community. Even when the documents look correct, you should speak to the family that originally owned the land and confirm they have no objection. This step helps you avoid the “Omonile” problem that we explain in our next article.
Step 7: Use a lawyer, and pay safely
Before you pay, have a property lawyer read through the Deed of Assignment. Make sure the price, the plot size and the parties’ names are right. Pay into the seller’s verified account, never in cash to an agent on the roadside, and always collect a receipt. Never pay the full amount until the documents have been verified.
Step 8: Perfect your title after you buy
Buying the land is not the end. To fully protect yourself, you need to register your Deed and, where required, obtain the Governor’s Consent so that the title is properly in your name. Land that is paid for but never perfected leaves you open to future disputes.
A simple checklist before you pay
- Seller’s identity and ownership confirmed
- Survey Plan verified by a licensed surveyor
- Official search done at the Land Registry
- Land confirmed free from acquisition and disputes
- Family or community consulted
- Lawyer has reviewed the Deed
- Payment made to a verified account with a receipt
Final word
Verifying land documents can feel slow, but it costs far less than losing your investment. At Leading Edge Property Home, checking the title before you pay is part of how we work.
Planning to buy land in Ibadan or anywhere in Nigeria? Talk to our team and let us check it for you first.
This article is general information and not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to a qualified property lawyer.
