There are several ways you can conduct a land search or title search and land verification in Lagos which can be first done at Land Registry mostly.
Many people skip the land verification process and even real estate companies who are more into real estate development don’t verify land before they buy.
Read: Reasons to Conduct Duw Diligence in any Land Transaction
And the ironic part about this is that most land is not genuine and needs proper due diligence.
Now, the overall goal of conducting, or verifying a landed property is to determine whether the land has a good root of title and to identify any defects in the property’s title
How to conduct a land search in Lagos?
A land registry is established in each state in Nigeria and involves gathering information about a specific land or property from the official records maintained by the government. Although the process may vary slightly from state to state.
This article is focused on Lagos State for now we will discuss most questions people have been asking like How do you conduct a search at lands? How can I check land ownership in Lagos? How to do a land search in Nigeria? How do I investigate a title to land in Nigeria? How do I verify land ownership in Nigeria? How do I find out if a land is registered? What are the methods of proving ownership of land?
1. Conduct a Site Visit.
A crucial step in the land search process is visiting the potential properties physically. Schedule site visits to assess the condition, location, accessibility, and suitability of the land. Pay attention to factors such as proximity to amenities, road infrastructure, potential development projects in the vicinity, and any defects on the title of the land/property; confirm the physical condition of the land/property; know the boundary of the land.
2. Verify Property Ownership and Title Documents
In Lagos, verifying property ownership and the validity of title documents is of utmost importance. Engage the services of a reputable lawyer or a professional land surveyor to conduct a thorough investigation. Request the seller to provide copies of the title documents, such as the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Deed of Assignment, Survey Plan, and other relevant documents. Ensure that the title is genuine and free from encumbrances or legal disputes.
Read: Can I buy Government Land Under Acquisition?
3. Engage a Surveyor to Conduct Land Verification
To conduct a land search in Lagos, you need to conduct a confirmation of the survey at the office of the Surveyor General. This process involves verifying the location of the land through the coordinate as contained in the survey plan. This is to confirm the accuracy of the property boundaries and ensure that the land you intend to purchase matches the surveyed dimensions.
The surveyor will verify the boundaries, conduct a topographic survey, and provide a survey plan that reflects the true state of the land. This step is crucial to prevent boundary disputes in the future.
Also, this process is to reveal whether the land is under government acquisition and whether the survey plan of the land is genuine or not.
4. Conducting a search at the Land Registry in Lagos State
The Land Registry in Lagos State is located at the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. And this is one of the ways you can check land ownership in Lagos, and also to know if a land is registered. This is the primary office where land records are maintained and searches can be conducted. You can get more info here
What you need to do is gather the required documents of the land or property, like the survey plan, the property’s address or location, the owner’s name, and any relevant identification documents.
The search at the Land Registry will show the genuine owner of the land and will also reveal any obligations such as government acquisition, mortgages as well, or leasehold on the property in question.
5. Due Diligence to Conduct Land Search
Before finalizing any land purchase in Lagos, it is essential to carry out due diligence and legal checks. Now, where the proposed land to be sold is owned by a single individual or family, investigate by asking deep questions that will bring out red flags about the seller.
Talk to members of the community and town by asking questions about the seller or vendor’s family and identify primary members of the family, problems, and issues. Be critical of seeing and meeting the seller to confirm the consent of the seller of the land or property. If it is a large family is it also critical that the consent of all family members, including the family head, was received and that the family name is not void and null from all documents.
Read: What you Need to Know Before you Buy a Land in Nigeria
Conclusion
Conducting a land search in Lagos is a vital step in ensuring a secure and successful land acquisition process. By following the important ways outlined in this blog post, you can navigate the complexities of the Lagos real estate market with confidence and make informed decisions.

Adeyeye IfeOluwa is a Web Designer & Developer, Digital marketer, Real Estate Consultant, and Writer
Landsprout.com came with a passion to help you achieve wealth in real estate investment and solve the hassle within it.
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