The Ultimate Checklist for Safe Land Investment in Nigeria (2025 Edition)
- Zikan Realtors
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
For Nigerians in the UK, US, Canada & Europe Who Want Zero-Scam Land Investment
Investing in land in Nigeria from abroad can feel like walking through a minefield — fake agents, forged documents, misleading prices, land grabbing, and “urgent promo deals” designed to trap diaspora investors.
But here’s the truth: Land investment is extremely safe when you follow the right checklist.
This 2025 edition gives you a step-by-step verification system that protects your money, your documents, and your peace of mind — no matter where you are in the world.
PRE-INVESTMENT CHECKLIST (Before You Send Money)
1. Verify the Real Estate Consultant
Before you even look at the land:
✔ Business registered with CAC
✔ Visible office location (not “home office”)
✔ Website + Google Business Profile
✔ Verified social media pages
✔ Reviews from REAL diaspora clients
✔ Clear documentation of past transactions
✔ Registered phone numbers (not prepaid Glo/MTN SIMs used for scams)
✔ Able to provide their RICS/NIESV/REDAN affiliation (if applicable)
If you cannot verify the consultant, STOP.
2. Request the Full Document Pack from Day One
Ask for:
✔ Survey Plan
✔ Excision/Gazette/C of O
✔ Layout Plan
✔ Deed Draft
✔ Developer’s registration
✔ Title verification report (if available)
✔ Coordinates (for independent search)
No documents = red flag.
3. Run a Title Search (Non-Negotiable)
A certified lawyer must verify:
✔ The land is free from government acquisition
✔ The land is not under litigation
✔ The land has not been sold to multiple buyers
✔ The seller/developer legally owns the land
✔ The documents are genuine, not forged
This is the #1 reason diaspora investors get scammed — they skip legal verification.
4. Confirm the Exact Land Location
Not “somewhere in Epe.”Not “close to the free trade zone.”Not “just 10 minutes from the express.”
Ask for:
✔ Exact coordinates
✔ Beacon numbers
✔ Layout plan
✔ Satellite view
✔ Drone footage
Insist on precision, not storytelling.
5. Check the ROI Potential
Ask:
✔ What major infrastructure projects are happening nearby?
✔ What is the current vs projected population growth?
✔ Is the area in a development corridor (airport, deep seaport, tech city, etc.)?
✔ What is the projected appreciation rate?
✔ What past appreciation has this location achieved?
Data > hype.
PURCHASE CHECKLIST (During the Buying Process)
6. Do a Virtual or Physical Inspection
A legitimate company provides:
✔ Live video walkthrough
✔ Drone footage
✔ Road access demonstration
✔ Boundary markers
✔ Infrastructure update
✔ Surrounding development breakdown
Not “WhatsApp pictures” taken 2 years ago.
7. Pay ONLY Through Verified Channels
❌ Personal accounts
❌ “Project managers”
❌ Family members
❌ Cash payments
❌ Crypto wallets
❌ Agents you found on Facebook
Safe payment channels:
✔ Company account only
✔ Escrow payment
✔ Bank transfers with receipts
✔ USD/GBP/CAD payment portals
8. Receive Your Documents Immediately After Payment
You must receive:
✔ Receipt of payment
✔ Contract of sale
✔ Allocation letter
✔ Survey processing timeline
✔ Deed of Assignment draft
✔ CEO/MD confirmation letter (optional but reassuring)
If your documents don’t arrive within 7–14 working days, escalate.
POST-PURCHASE CHECKLIST (After You Have Bought the Land)
9. Secure the Land Physically
Protect your land from encroachment:
✔ Fence and gate when possible
✔ Install beacons✔ Place a signpost with your name and plot number✔ Hire a property monitoring service
Even empty land needs protection.
10. Convert Temporary Ownership to Legal Ownership
You must complete:
✔ Survey registration
✔ Land registration
✔ Deed of Assignment execution
✔ Governor’s Consent application
✔ Taxes and fees payment
This step legally protects you forever.
11. Maintain Proper Record-Keeping
Keep digital and physical copies of:
✔ All receipts
✔ All signed documents
✔ Video inspection recordings
✔ Lawyer’s verification report
✔ Emails and WhatsApp chats
✔ Google Drive backup
Documents are your shield in Nigeria.
12. Use a Professional Property Management Service
Especially if you’re abroad:
✔ Routine inspections
✔ Encroachment prevention
✔ Fraud monitoring
✔ Document renewal alerts
✔ Development updates
This is how you stay stress-free.
BONUS: 10 LAND INVESTMENT RED FLAGS THAT MEAN “WALK AWAY IMMEDIATELY”
❌ “Promo ends tonight — pay now!”
❌ No verified land documents
❌ No office you can visit
❌ Personal account payments
❌ Agent gets angry when you ask questions
❌ “Trust me, we will sort out documents later”
❌ No legal verification allowed
❌ No coordinates or unclear location
❌ Price is suspiciously cheap
❌ They refuse a virtual inspection
If even ONE red flag appears, do not proceed.
Final Word to Every Diaspora Investor
You have worked too hard abroad to fall victim to a scam at home.Follow this checklist strictly and you will invest:
Safely
Confidently
Strategically
Profitably
And with peace of mind
Land investment in Nigeria can be one of the most powerful wealth-building decisions of your life — but only if done right.
And this checklist ensures it.
🏢 Zikan Prop Solutions
🥇 Certified Real Estate Consultant | Multi Award-Winning Realtor
Helping you make the best real estate purchase & investment decisions.
📱 +234 703 000 3514
📲 IG: @zikanpropsolutions
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