Buying land in Nigeria from abroad

Can Nigerians abroad and dual citizens buy land in Nigeria?

Yes. Section 43 of Nigeria's Constitution gives every Nigerian citizen the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria, and it sets no condition about where you live. That covers Nigerians living in the UK, the US, Canada or anywhere else. NG-S2 NG-S1 NG-S4 · 12 Nov 2026Sources · as of 12 Nov 2026NG-S2 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, updated to the 5th Alteration (2023) (text in FAOLEX)Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX)Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S4 FAQAbuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCT Administration · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources

Under section 28(1) of the Constitution, a Nigerian citizen by birth does not lose Nigerian citizenship by holding another nationality, so a dual citizen by birth keeps the same right. If you became Nigerian by registration or naturalisation, check with an expert before relying on this.

Under Nigeria's Land Use Act, the land in each state is vested in that state's Governor, who holds it in trust for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians. This is why, in a state, a sale of a statutory right of occupancy needs that Governor's consent first.

In the FCT (Abuja), AGIS says only the FCT Minister, acting on the President's delegated powers, can allocate land. A right of occupancy there is granted for a fixed term, normally up to 99 years for residential use and 35 to 70 years for other uses.

We have not confirmed the rules for people who are not Nigerian citizens from an official source. If you are not a citizen, check with an expert before you commit to a purchase in Nigeria.

How do you check who owns land in Lagos or Abuja?

This page covers title checks in Nigeria for Lagos State and the FCT (Abuja) only; run one before you pay anything. In the FCT, the land registry is AGIS (Abuja Geographic Information Systems). According to AGIS, a legal search costs ₦10,000 on a private or individual file and ₦20,000 on a commercial or organisational file, and the result is usually ready within 24 hours and at most three days. NG-S3 NG-S4 NG-S5 NG-S1 NG-S16 · 12 Nov 2026Sources · as of 12 Nov 2026NG-S3 Processes and payments requirementsAbuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCT Administration · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S4 FAQAbuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCT Administration · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S5 Revocation of land (public notice)Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX)Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S16 Surveyors Information Management System: Public Surveyor Verification SystemSurveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources

For land in Lagos State, ask the Lands Bureau or an expert how to run an official search and what it costs now; we could not confirm the current fee from an official source. To find out whether a Lagos plot is under government acquisition or has been excised, check with an expert.

In the FCT, also make sure the right of occupancy is still in force. AGIS says failing to pay ground rent and other land charges can lead to withdrawal or revocation, and the FCT Minister has revoked plots for non-development under section 28(5) of the Land Use Act.

A registry search tells you what the record says. A registered surveyor then confirms that the plot on the ground matches it; you can check a surveyor's registration and licence status on SURCON's public verification system.

What fees and taxes do you pay when buying property in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, land fees differ between Lagos State and the FCT (Abuja), and this page covers only those two; fees in other states are not covered here. Where an official figure is published and current, it is below. Where it isn't, confirm it before you pay. NG-S3 NG-S29 NG-S28 NG-S10 NG-S25 NG-S30 NG-S31 · 12 Nov 2026Sources · as of 12 Nov 2026NG-S3 Processes and payments requirementsAbuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCT Administration · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S29 Lagos raises land transaction fees to reflect fair market valueBusinessDay · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S28 Lagos State Blue Book to take effect from 1 May 2026Aluko & Oyebode · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S10 Withholding tax rates (schedule)Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S25 Nigeria: Corporate - Withholding taxesPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S30 Five key adjustments to Lagos Land Use ChargeBusinessDay · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S31 Lagos plans to generate N375 billion per annum from land use charge paymentNairametrics · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources

• FCT legal search (AGIS): ₦10,000 for a private or individual file, ₦20,000 for a commercial or organisational file.
• FCT deed of assignment or gift (AGIS): a payment of 8% of the property's value, and the plot must be developed.
• FCT power of attorney (AGIS): ₦102,000, plus ₦2,000 for each extra copy.
• Lagos State Governor's consent: assessed on the Fair Market Value in the revised Blue Book, in force since 1 May 2026. We could not confirm a charges schedule published after that date, so confirm the current charges with the Lagos Lands Bureau or an expert.
• Lagos State search fee: confirm with the Lands Bureau or an expert.
• Lagos State stamp duty on a deed of assignment: official sources disagree; check with an expert.
• Tax on a gain when you sell: we could not confirm the current rule from an official source; check with a tax adviser.
• Withholding tax on rent: 10%, including for non-resident individual landlords.
• Lagos State Land Use Charge (owner-occupied home): 0.0394% of market value a year.

Ask each professional for their fee in writing before work starts.

Questions

Sources

Checked 12 Nov 2026.

1. NG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX) · Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026
2. NG-S2 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, updated to the 5th Alteration (2023) (text in FAOLEX) · Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026
3. NG-S3 Processes and payments requirements · Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCT Administration · checked 12 Nov 2026
4. NG-S4 FAQ · Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCT Administration · checked 12 Nov 2026
5. NG-S5 Revocation of land (public notice) · Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) · checked 12 Nov 2026
6. NG-S10 Withholding tax rates (schedule) · Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) · checked 12 Nov 2026
7. NG-S16 Surveyors Information Management System: Public Surveyor Verification System · Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) · checked 12 Nov 2026
8. NG-S18 Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (home) · Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) · checked 12 Nov 2026
9. NG-S19 Register of ESVs · Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) · checked 12 Nov 2026
10. NG-S25 Nigeria: Corporate - Withholding taxes · PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries · checked 12 Nov 2026
11. NG-S28 Lagos State Blue Book to take effect from 1 May 2026 · Aluko & Oyebode · checked 12 Nov 2026
12. NG-S29 Lagos raises land transaction fees to reflect fair market value · BusinessDay · checked 12 Nov 2026
13. NG-S30 Five key adjustments to Lagos Land Use Charge · BusinessDay · checked 12 Nov 2026
14. NG-S31 Lagos plans to generate N375 billion per annum from land use charge payment · Nairametrics · checked 12 Nov 2026