In Nigeria, many people think buying land is simple: you pay, you get receipt, you get deed, you are done.
That is how people lose millions.
A receipt alone means nothing. A deed alone means nothing if the person who signed it did not own the land.
At Amej Homes, we operate in all states, and we have seen the same pattern: the buyer who loses money is the buyer who collected only 1 or 2 documents.
Before you pay for any land – whether in Epe, Asaba, Ibadan, Enugu, Kano or Keffi – collect these 5.
1. Survey Plan
What it is: A drawing that shows the exact measurement and location of your land on the ground. It has coordinates and beacons.
Why you need it: Without it, you cannot confirm if your land is where the seller says it is. Many people have been shown land in one place, but their survey is for land inside a government acquisition.
What to check: Take it to the Office of the Surveyor General in that state. Ask for charting. They will tell you if the land is free from acquisition and if it falls inside a road or drainage.
Red flag: If the seller says “survey will come later after payment,” walk away.
2. Deed of Assignment
What it is: The document that transfers ownership from the seller to you. It is prepared by a lawyer.
Why you need it: It is your proof of transfer. But remember, a Deed is only as good as the root of title behind it.
What to check: It must be signed by all parties, witnessed, and dated. It must contain a clear description matching the survey plan.
Red flag: Deed without survey plan or Deed signed only by one party.
3. Receipt of Payment
What it is: Proof that you paid.
Why you need it: For record purpose. But receipt alone does NOT prove ownership. Many scammers issue receipts for land they don’t own.
What to check: Receipt must have seller’s full name, amount, land description, and must match the Deed.
4. Allocation Letter (If Buying From Estate/Company)
What it is: Letter from the estate company allocating a specific plot number to you.
Why you need it: This is what companies like Amej Homes issue to show which plot is yours inside an estate.
What to check: Plot number, estate name, size, and it must match survey and deed.
Red flag: Company that cannot give allocation letter immediately after full payment.
5. Root of Title / Mother Documents
What it is: Documents that prove how the seller got the land in the first place. Could be C of O, R of O, Gazette, or previous Deeds going back years.
Why you need it: This is the MOST important. If the root is fake, everything built on it is fake.
What to check: Ask for documents from the last 20-30 years. Who owned it before? Was it properly transferred each time?
Red flag: “We don’t have mother documents” or “Our lawyer is holding it.”
Bonus Step: Verification Before Payment
Collecting documents is not enough. You must verify.
Go to: Ministry of Lands for C of O / R of O search, Surveyor General for survey charting, and do physical inspection with community.
At Amej Ltd, we do all this verification for clients across Nigeria before listing. That is why we show you the documents upfront.
Final Word
Don’t be in a hurry to pay. Be in a hurry to verify.
Any seller who pressures you to pay quickly without giving you these 5 documents is a red flag.
