List Of Important Land Documents In Nigeria You Should Know
This article is about the comprehensive list of important land documents in Nigeria you should know currently in this year 2025. Anyone with an interest in purchasing landed property should understand the significance of land documents. It is unfortunate that only a few land buyers are aware of, and understand the true intent of these contracts. The C of O is not the only land document you need or should request when buying land, despite what many people believe. Before buying any property, you should request a number of additional significant land documents in addition to the Certificate of Occupancy.
Many people commit this error when they purchase land and forget to get a Deed of Assignment, even though this is one of the most important land documents to have since without it, there is no transaction at all, and there is no way to prove that you are now the new owner of the land. Lands used to belong to indigenous families that lived there for years, but with the passage of time and the passing of the Land Use Act of 1978, much has changed. The Governor is in charge of granting land in a State to people or organizations for residential, agricultural, and commercial uses because, according to the Land Use Act, all urban land in a State is assigned to the governor to safeguard on behalf of the people.
When buying or selling land, there are several different land documents to take into account. The type of ownership of the property will determine which paperwork is appropriate for such a property transaction. These records will prove that the claim of land ownership is true. You should be aware of the following seven documents before purchasing land in Nigeria.
LIST OF IMPORTANT LAND DOCUMENTS IN NIGERIA YOU SHOULD KNOW 2025
The following is a comprehensive list of important land documents in Nigeria that you should know about before purchasing a land this 2025:
DEED OF ASSIGNMENT
A Deed of Assignment is a legal document that serves to both register a land transaction and to transfer ownership of real estate from one party to another, effective as of the date stated in the deed. A detailed description of the property and the purchase price are typically included in the deed.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (C OF O)
The certificate of occupancy (C of O), is a legally recognized land document that enables you to maintain some control over your property while still being able to use and enjoy it. A 99-year lease is granted to landowners through this document that is published by the State or the Federal Government. This property document or title is one of the most used in Nigeria today.
GOVERNOR’S CONSENT
A Governor’s Consent is an appendix to a deed of assignment that the assignee submits to the government informing them that a transaction has occurred and they need the Governor’s consent for the transaction to proceed, unlike a C of O, which is a document produced by the government and personally signed by the governor granting the right of occupancy to the holder for 99 years. Because the sale of land by someone having a C of O to another person requires government approval before it can go forward. Every time the property is transferred to a new owner, this procedure is repeated.
SURVEY PLAN
Land boundary measurements are included in this document for precise land measurement and description. This document is under the control of Surveyors and is overseen by the Surveyor-General.
EXCISION DOCUMENT
Excision is the process through which the government releases a section of land that is being acquired and is treated as free. In order to be sure that land is not being acquired, excision properly written in a gazette will make an important document.
GRANT OF PROBATE
The only person who can obtain a Grant of Probate is the Executor named in the Will. In the course of the probate process, the Executor gathers assets and distributes them to the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries cannot appoint a replacement because the Executor was named by the deceased in his Will.
LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION
Similar to a Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration are given to the heirs of a person who passes away without a Will. If you don’t have a Will, you haven’t chosen someone to manage your estate as your Executor. As a result, the law creates a list of people who qualify to submit Letters of Administration applications.
