Buying Property in Lagos from Abroad: A Step-by-Step Guide for Diaspora Buyers
Buying property in Lagos from abroad comes with one fear that almost every Nigerian in the diaspora shares. Most people know at least one story: someone sent money home to a relative or a “trusted” contact to buy land or a house. Years later, there is no house, the money is gone, and the relationship is ruined.
Because of stories like these, many diaspora Nigerians avoid buying at home altogether. That is understandable, but it is also a missed opportunity. The truth is that buying property in Lagos from abroad is not inherently risky. The risk comes from skipping steps. Follow a clear process, and you can buy a luxury home on Lagos Island without losing sleep over it.
11 Steps to Buying Property in Lagos from Abroad Safely
Step 1: Be Clear About Your Goal
Before you look at a single listing, decide what the property is for. A holiday home you’ll use a few weeks a year needs different things from a rental investment or a family home you plan to retire into.
Your goal shapes everything that follows: location, size, whether you buy completed or off-plan, and who will manage the property while you’re away.
Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget
When buying property in Lagos from abroad, your budget should cover more than the purchase price. Legal fees, Governor’s Consent charges, stamp duties, registration, furnishing and annual service charges all add up. Consequently, buyers who budget for the price alone often run short at the final stage. Our guide to the cost of buying property in Lagos explains each fee.
Ask your lawyer for a written estimate of transfer costs early, so there are no surprises.
Step 3: Hire Your Own Lawyer
This is the single most important step. Hire a Lagos property lawyer who works only for you, not for the seller, the developer or the agent.
A lawyer representing the other side has a conflict of interest, however friendly they seem. Your lawyer’s job is to protect you. That means searching the title, reviewing contracts, handling documentation and advising you before you pay.
Step 4: Work With a Verified Agent
A good agent saves you time and gives you access to properties that never appear online. However, the agent must be verifiable. Lagos State regulates real estate practitioners through the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), and the state has warned that transacting with an unregistered agent is itself unlawful. Therefore, ask for the agent’s or firm’s LASRERA registration and confirm it before you engage them. Similarly, check their physical office address and track record.
Be wary of anyone who only operates through social media and cannot show you a registered business.
Step 5: Verify the Title
Before any significant payment, your lawyer should conduct a search at the Lagos State Land Registry. The search confirms who owns the property and whether there are encumbrances, such as mortgages or disputes. Your lawyer should also confirm that the land is not under government acquisition, often through a charting exercise with the Office of the Surveyor-General. To understand what your lawyer is checking, read our guide to C of O, Governor’s Consent and Deed of Assignment.
If the seller resists this process, walk away.
Step 6: Inspect Through Someone You Trust
Inspection is the step most often skipped when buying property in Lagos from abroad. If you can travel for an inspection, do so. If not, send a trusted person, ideally someone independent of the seller. Ask for a live video walkthrough rather than recorded clips, since recorded videos can be old, edited or of a different property entirely.
For completed buildings, consider hiring a professional to inspect the structure, plumbing and electrical systems.
Step 7: Negotiate and Agree Terms in Writing
Once you’re satisfied, agree the price and terms. Everything should be put in writing: payment schedule, what is included, handover date and what happens if either party withdraws. Your lawyer should review or draft this contract.
Step 8: Pay Through the Right Channels
Payment is where buying property in Lagos from abroad most often goes wrong. Pay only into verified company accounts or your lawyer’s client account. Never pay into the personal account of an agent, caretaker or relative on the seller’s behalf. Moreover, keep records of every transfer and obtain receipts for each payment.
If you are sending funds from abroad, use formal banking channels so there is a clear paper trail.
Step 9: Complete the Documentation
When the transaction closes, you should receive a Deed of Assignment transferring the property to you. Your lawyer will then apply for Governor’s Consent and register the transaction, which formally records you as the owner. This process can take several months, so ask your lawyer for regular updates.
If you sign documents abroad, your lawyer will advise whether they need to be notarised or authenticated before use in Nigeria.
Step 10: Consider a Limited Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows someone in Lagos to act on your behalf, for example to sign documents or collect keys. It can be very useful for diaspora buyers. However, it should be drafted by your lawyer and limited to specific tasks, rather than giving someone broad control over your property.
Step 11: Plan for Management
An empty property in Lagos deteriorates quickly. Generators need servicing, plumbing needs attention and security needs oversight. Therefore, decide before completion who will manage the property: a professional facility manager, a letting agent, or both.
If you plan to rent it out, your manager can also handle tenants, rent collection and repairs.
Common Mistakes When Buying Property in Lagos from Abroad
- Sending money to relatives to “handle everything”
- Using the seller’s lawyer to save costs
- Engaging an agent without confirming their LASRERA registration
- Paying a large deposit before a title search
- Relying on photographs and recorded videos alone
- Leaving the property unmanaged after purchase
For more warning signs, see our guide on how to avoid real estate fraud in Lagos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying property in Lagos from abroad safe?
It can be, provided you use your own lawyer, a registered agent, a verified title and traceable payment channels. Most losses come from skipping one of these steps.
Do I need to travel to Nigeria to buy property?
No. With your own lawyer, a verified agent, a trusted inspector and, where needed, a power of attorney, the process can be completed from abroad.
How long does the purchase take?
The sale itself can move fairly quickly once checks are complete. Obtaining Governor’s Consent and registration usually takes longer, often several months.
Can I pay in foreign currency?
It depends on the seller and how the transaction is structured. Your lawyer and bank can advise on the correct way to move and document the funds.
Buying Home, the Safe Way
Buying property in Lagos from abroad can be deeply rewarding, both financially and personally. The key is to treat it as a proper transaction, with independent professionals checking every step. If you are based abroad and considering a property on Lagos Island, our team at Arab Space Realty Ltd. can arrange live virtual viewings and connect you with the right professionals.
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