Buying land in Lagos felt like a distant dream — too expensive, too risky, and too many scams. But in 2025, I finally did it.
If you're looking to buy land in Lagos and want to know what it really costs, the exact process, and how to avoid mistakes, this guide is for you.
Let me walk you through how I bought my first land — from finding the plot to collecting my land documents — and every naira I spent.
My Land Location & Deal Details
- Location: Epe, Lagos (off the Lekki-Epe Expressway)
- Land Size: 600 sqm (full plot)
- Estate Type: Private estate with ongoing development
- Title Document Offered: Registered Survey + Deed of Assignment (with C of O in view)
Full Cost Breakdown
|
Item |
Cost (₦) |
|
Land Purchase Price |
₦1,500,000 |
|
Legal Documentation Fee |
₦100,000 |
|
Survey Plan (officially registered) |
₦250,000 |
|
Deed of Assignment |
₦50,000 |
|
Development Fee (estate roads, drain) |
₦400,000 |
|
Agency Fee (negotiable) |
₦50,000 |
|
Miscellaneous (transport, inspection) |
₦50,000 |
|
Total |
₦2,400,000 |
Note: This is without a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). That process costs more and often comes later from the estate or government.
My Step-by-Step Buying Process
1. Land Research & Inspection
- I searched for properties online via Facebook real estate groups, PropertyPro, and agents in Lagos.
- Shortlisted 3 affordable locations: Epe, Ikorodu, and Mowe-Ibafo.
- Visited Epe site — good road network, power poles, and construction ongoing in neighboring plots.
Tip: Always inspect land in person and go with someone who understands property (like a surveyor or builder).
2. Title Verification
- Asked for land documents upfront: Survey Plan + Excision info.
- My lawyer helped me verify at the Lagos State Land Registry — land wasn’t under government acquisition.
Tip: Never skip land verification, even in “trusted” estates.
3. Negotiation & Payment
- The original price was ₦1.8M — I negotiated it down to ₦1.5M.
- Paid via bank transfer (not cash) for tracking and proof.
- Received an acknowledgement receipt immediately.
4. Document Processing
- Signed the Deed of Assignment and paid for the survey.
- Waited 3 weeks to get my registered documents delivered.
Tip: Don’t rely on just photocopies — insist on originals signed and stamped.
5. Land Allocation
- Attended the estate allocation ceremony.
- Got my plot physically demarcated with pegs and labeled.
- My name was added to the estate’s allocation register.
Bonus: Took pictures of the beacons and GPS coordinates.
My Plans for the Land
- Short term: Let it appreciate as development continues
- Long term: Build 2-bedroom rental units for passive income
Estate already increased price to ₦2.5M for new buyers — my land appreciated ₦1M in 6 months!
Mistakes I Almost Made
|
Almost Mistake |
How I Avoided It |
|
Paying cash without a receipt |
Insisted on a bank transfer + receipt |
|
Skipping land verification |
Paid a lawyer ₦20K to verify at registry |
|
Trusting online photos only |
Visited site twice before buying |
|
Rushing documentation |
Waited to review documents before payment |
|
Not budgeting for extra fees |
Planned an extra ₦1M for survey + dev fee |
My Top Land Buying Tips (From Experience)
- Always visit the land with a neutral surveyor
- Do a land search at the Land Registry
- Don’t buy “family land” unless excised or gazetted
- Budget for extra costs (docs, survey, fencing, etc.)
- Use a real estate lawyer — worth every naira
Conclusion
Buying my first land in Lagos was both exciting and nerve-racking — but doing it the right way saved me from major problems.
Whether you're buying for future living, building, or just investment, take your time, ask questions, and verify everything.
If I can do it on a mid-level salary, so can you. Start small, think long-term, and you'll watch your land value multiply over time.
