Deed of Assignment in Nigeria: What to Check Before Buying Property in Lagos

Buying property in Lagos? Check the deed before you pay

A seller presents a Deed of Assignment, the property looks suitable, and you are asked to transfer money quickly. Should you proceed?

Not on the strength of the deed alone. A Deed of Assignment records the transfer of a property interest from one party to another. It does not, by itself, prove that the seller owns the property, that the land is free from competing claims, or that every required approval has been obtained.

Before committing funds, arrange independent document verification and legal review. Noblemen Networth Management helps buyers coordinate property checks in Lagos, including buyers purchasing from abroad.

What a Deed of Assignment should establish

The deed should clearly identify the seller, known as the assignor, and the buyer, known as the assignee. It should describe the property, explain the interest being transferred and set out the agreed consideration and relevant obligations.

It should also explain how the seller acquired their interest. This history matters because a properly drafted document cannot give a seller ownership rights they never had.

Ask a Nigerian property lawyer to review both the wording and the underlying ownership evidence. A signed deed is one part of a transaction, not a substitute for due diligence.

Seven checks to complete before payment

1. Confirm the seller’s identity and authority

Match the seller’s identification against the ownership documents. For a company, check its status and the authority of those signing. For an estate, family property or an attorney acting for an owner, request the relevant authority documents and have them independently assessed.

Do not assume that collecting rent or holding the keys proves authority to sell.

2. Trace the chain of ownership

Request the documents connecting the current seller to the earlier owner or original grant. These may include earlier deeds, allocation documents, a Certificate of Occupancy or other relevant title records.

Unexplained gaps, inconsistent names and missing transfers need resolution before you proceed.

3. Match the deed to the actual property

Check the address, plot number, land size, boundaries and survey references. A registered surveyor should confirm that the survey corresponds to the site and assess its position against relevant government records.

A genuine document relating to a different plot offers little protection for the property you intend to buy.

4. Investigate competing interests and restrictions

Have your lawyer conduct appropriate title searches and investigate mortgages, charges, restrictions, disputes and other adverse interests. Physical inspection and enquiries about occupation are also important.

A registry search alone may not reveal every practical problem, such as an occupier claiming an unrecorded interest.

5. Review the transaction terms

Check the purchase price, payment stages, possession date and documents the seller must deliver. Where tenants occupy the property, clarify what happens to their tenancies, deposits and outstanding obligations.

Your lawyer should advise on suitable warranties, remedies and conditions that must be met before funds are released.

6. Check signing and witnessing requirements

Confirm that the correct parties sign and that witnessing and execution requirements are satisfied. Company transactions and documents signed abroad may require additional formalities.

Avoid signing incomplete documents or accepting promises that important pages, schedules or signatures will be added later.

7. Clarify consent, stamping and registration

Ask your lawyer which consent, stamping and registration requirements apply to the transaction. Governor’s Consent may be required, depending on the interest being transferred and the circumstances.

Agree who will handle each step, who will bear the costs and what evidence of completion you will receive. Signing the deed should not be treated as the end of the process.

What to request from the seller

Before substantial payment, request:

• The draft Deed of Assignment and available previous transfer documents.
• The root of title and relevant consent or registration evidence.
• The survey plan and a clear property description.
• Identification and evidence of authority to sell.
• Details of occupiers, disputes, mortgages and outstanding property obligations.

Treat refusal to provide documents or allow independent checks as a reason to pause, not an invitation to negotiate faster.

A typical case we handle

An illustrative situation involves a buyer living abroad who receives a scanned deed for a Lagos house. The seller wants a deposit before releasing further documents, but the name on the deed differs from the person requesting payment.

Noblemen Networth Management can help coordinate inspection and document collection while the buyer’s lawyer investigates ownership and authority. The sensible next step is to resolve the discrepancy and agree legally reviewed payment conditions, rather than rely on reassurance from the seller.

Arrange verification before committing funds

Document checks should happen before pressure, travel plans or a deposit make it harder to walk away. Obtain a clear service scope covering the checks, professional involvement and reporting you need.

To discuss property buying and document verification support with Noblemen Networth Management, Request a Service or contact us on WhatsApp.