Complete Guide: Buying Property in Nigeria from the USA

Step 1: Establish Your Legal Standing

Nigerian law permits non-residents and diaspora buyers to own property. However, land ownership is governed by the Land Use Act of 1978, which means all land is technically held by State Governors — what you purchase is a Right of Occupancy, not freehold in the Western sense.

You will need: a valid Nigerian passport or NIN (National Identification Number), a local legal representative with verifiable credentials, and a Power of Attorney if you cannot be present for signing.

Step 2: Verify the Title Before Everything Else

This is where most diaspora buyers make costly errors. The four title types ranked by security:

Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) — highest security, state-issued
Governor's Consent — valid transfer record
Deed of Assignment — acceptable if supported by survey
Family/community land — highest risk; avoid without extensive due diligence

Never transfer funds until a registered Lagos solicitor has confirmed title status directly with the Land Registry.

Step 3: Transfer Funds Through Compliant Channels

US regulations (FinCEN) require documentation for large international transfers. Compliant channels include wire transfer via your US bank with stated investment purpose, and licensed FX bureaus in Nigeria for currency conversion. Avoid unofficial transfer networks — they create legal traceability problems on both ends.

Dollar-denominated transactions are possible in Lagos's luxury and commercial segments, protecting you from Naira devaluation risk.

Step 4: Conduct Remote Due Diligence

You do not need to fly to Lagos to do this right. A credible agent will provide: live video walk-throughs, an independent valuation report, a neighbourhood infrastructure report (roads, water, power status), and the developer's completion record for off-plan units.