Property Investment Mistakes Nigerians Abroad Commonly Make — And How to Avoid Them

Zikan Realtors
Dec 7, 2025
4 min read

For many Nigerians in the Diaspora, buying land or property back home is more than an investment — it’s a legacy, a safety net, and a way of staying rooted in Nigeria. But the process comes with unique risks that often lead to financial loss, emotional stress, or long delays.

Here are the top mistakes Diaspora Nigerians make when investing in property — and the smarter alternatives that protect your money.

Business professionals discuss property investment with a distressed woman on a city street, showcasing mistakes on a tablet.

1. Buying Based on Emotions Instead of Verification

2. Relying 100% on Family Members as Agents

3. Paying Without a Legally Binding Contract

4. Not Checking the True Title of the Land

5. Buying Into Overhyped Locations Without Understanding the Market

6. Sending Money in Bulk Without Monitoring the Project

7. Not Planning for Hidden Costs

8. Not Understanding Off-Plan Risks

9. Leaving All Decisions to the Realtor

10. Waiting Too Long to Buy

Speak to a licensed realtor

1. Buying Based on Emotions Instead of Verification

Distance makes it easy to trust the wrong people — friends, relatives, or “family agents.”Many Diaspora investors send money because:

Someone they know recommended the property
A developer promised “hotcake” plots
They want to quickly secure something before coming home

But emotioInvestment nal buying leads to:

Untitled land
Fake receipts
Omoonile (land grabbers) issues
Overpriced estates

How to avoid it:✔ Insist on verifying every document (survey, excision, C of O, layout).✔ Don’t pay until a licensed professional confirms authenticity.✔ Ask for video inspections, coordinates, and independent verification.

2. Relying 100% on Family Members as Agents

Good intentions aside, your relatives are not realtors.

Common issues include:

They don’t understand land documentation
They can’t identify reputable developers
They may hide red flags
They may get manipulated by sellers
Some even have personal interests

How to avoid it:✔ Use family for support, not decision-making.✔ Work with certified, registered real estate consultants.✔ Demand professional property inspection reports.

3. Paying Without a Legally Binding Contract

Many buyers abroad make payments and receive:

A WhatsApp message
A screenshot
A voice note confirmation

This is not proof of ownership.

How to avoid it:✔ Demand a formal contract of sale or allocation letter.✔ Ensure the seller’s name matches the title documents.✔ Let a lawyer review every document before you sign.

4. Not Checking the True Title of the Land

A plot advertised as:

“Gazette in process”
“C of O coming soon”
“Government approved”

…may actually be family land with no official documentation.

How to avoid it:

✔ Request the actual survey plan with coordinates.

✔ Verify it at the Land Registry.

✔ Don’t rely on verbal promises or marketing buzzwords.

5. Buying Into Overhyped Locations Without Understanding the Market

Some Diaspora buyers rush into:

Ibeju-Lekki
Ajah
Lekki Free Trade Zone
Abuja Airport Road

…without knowing which parts are high-appreciation zones and which are oversaturated or risky.

How to avoid it:✔ Ask for a 5-year development map.✔ Confirm ongoing infrastructure work.✔ Check what reputable developers are doing in the area.

6. Sending Money in Bulk Without Monitoring the Project

Many people send:

₦10m for foundation
₦25m for construction
₦500k for “materials”

…without monitoring.

Months later:

The project hasn’t moved
The contractor disappeared
The building quality is terrible

How to avoid it:✔ Request weekly or monthly progress videos.✔ Use milestone-based payments.✔ Hire a construction supervisor or project manager.

7. Not Planning for Hidden Costs

Diaspora investors often underestimate:

Legal fees
Agency fees
Governor’s consent
Foundation and roofing costs
Drainage and road levies in private estates

How to avoid it:✔ Request a full cost breakdown before buying.✔ Ask for service charge estimates.✔ Factor in currency fluctuations.

8. Not Understanding Off-Plan Risks

Off-plan can be profitable, but many Diaspora buyers get:

Delayed delivery
Project abandonment
Different finishing than promised
Extra charges not disclosed upfront

How to avoid it:✔ Choose only reputable developers with a proven track record.✔ Demand a project timeline with penalties for delay.✔ Ask for sample units or previous completed projects.

9. Leaving All Decisions to the Realtor

A professional realtor is important — but they shouldn’t decide your budget, location, or property type.

How to avoid it:✔ Define your goal clearly:

Are you building for rent?
For family use?
For retirement?
For land banking?✔ Use the realtor as a guide, not the final decision-maker.

10. Waiting Too Long to Buy

The biggest loss often comes from hesitation.

Diaspora buyers sometimes wait until:

“Next year when I visit”
“When the naira improves”
“When I finish my papers”
“When I have time”

Meanwhile, property prices jump 20–60%.

How to avoid it:✔ If the due diligence checks out — buy.✔ Start with affordable plots, payment plans, or off-plan units.✔ Grow into bigger investments over time.