Buying Property in Nigeria from Abroad

For Nigerians living abroad, owning property at home can be deeply rewarding — a family base, a retirement plan or a long-term investment. But buying from a distance brings particular risks. This guide sets out a practical framework for diaspora buyers: how to plan, who to trust, how to verify remotely and how to protect every payment.

Start with a clear objective

Before looking at properties, decide what you want the property to do for you. A home for your family's use, a rental investment, a future retirement residence and land for later development each lead to very different choices about location, property type, budget and timeline. Write your objective down; it will keep decisions focused when you are presented with tempting but unsuitable options.

Be realistic about total cost. Beyond the purchase price, budget for legal fees, search and survey costs, consent and registration costs, agency or advisory fees, and any renovation or furnishing. If you plan to let the property, also consider management costs, vacancy periods and maintenance.

Choose your representation carefully

Most diaspora buyers rely on someone in Nigeria to act for them. That person or organisation will see documents, inspect properties and possibly handle money on your behalf, so the choice matters enormously.

• Appoint your own lawyer. An independent lawyer, acting only for you, should conduct searches, review documents and prepare transaction documents.
• Use an accountable professional representative. A reputable property firm can source properties, inspect, coordinate verification and report to you. Choose one that documents its work and is comfortable with your questions.
• Be cautious about informal arrangements. Many painful stories involve well-meaning relatives or friends who lacked the knowledge or time to verify properly. If family members are involved, they should work alongside professionals, not replace them.

Due diligence from a distance

Remote buying is entirely possible if you insist on evidence at every stage.

1. Request a full document set. Ask for copies of the title documents, survey plan, previous deeds and any building approvals before you make any commitment.
2. Commission an official search. For property in the FCT, your lawyer can conduct a legal search with the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS). In other states, searches are conducted at the relevant state land registry. See our detailed guide to verifying property documents in Abuja.
3. Inspect by live video. Ask your representative to walk the property on a live video call, not just send edited photos. Ask to see the surroundings, access roads, neighbouring properties and utilities.
4. Confirm the boundaries. A surveyor can confirm that the land on the ground matches the survey plan.
5. Verify the seller. Confirm identity, and where a company or attorney is selling, confirm their authority.

Understanding Powers of Attorney

Diaspora buyers often grant a Power of Attorney so that someone in Nigeria can sign documents on their behalf. Discuss with your lawyer whether a specific power, limited to a particular transaction, is preferable to a broad general power. Limit the scope and duration to what is needed, keep a record of exactly what you have authorised, and revoke it formally when the transaction is complete.

Remember the other side of this too: a seller relying on a Power of Attorney does not necessarily own the property. The person who granted the power — and their title — must be verified.

Protecting your payments

Most losses happen at the payment stage, and money sent abroad is hard to recover.

• Never pay before verification is complete and a written agreement is in place.
• Pay only by traceable bank transfer into accounts that have been verified as belonging to the seller, their lawyer, or an agreed escrow arrangement.
• Avoid cash payments through intermediaries.
• Tie payments to milestones in a written schedule, and obtain a signed receipt for every payment.
• Keep copies of all transfer confirmations and correspondence.
• Use regulated banking channels for remittances, and take exchange-rate movements into account when planning staged payments.

If you are buying off-plan

Off-plan purchases, where you pay for a property before or during construction, can offer attractive pricing but carry additional risk. Investigate the developer's track record and completed projects, confirm that the land title and building approvals are in order, and read the contract carefully for delivery timelines, specifications, payment schedules and what happens if the project is delayed. Prefer payment structures linked to verifiable construction progress.

Completing and protecting your ownership

At completion, your lawyer will prepare the deed of assignment, coordinate the required consent — in the FCT, the Minister's consent under the Land Use Act — and handle registration. Insist on receiving, or having secure custody arranged for, all original documents. Store scanned copies safely as well.

Ownership brings ongoing obligations, such as ground rent and other applicable charges, and property left empty can deteriorate or attract encroachment. Plan who will look after the property once it is yours.

Common traps to avoid

• Buying on the strength of photographs and a relative's word alone.
• Paying "commitment fees" before any search has been conducted.
• Accepting a Power of Attorney as proof of the seller's ownership.
• Leaving original documents with intermediaries.
• Skipping the consent and registration steps to save time or cost.
• Leaving a completed property unmanaged for long periods.

How SOLES can help

SOLES supports diaspora clients with property sourcing and investment advisory, live video inspections, coordination of official searches with your lawyer, transaction management and, once you own the property, property management in Abuja. We report clearly at every stage, so you can make decisions with confidence wherever you are in the world.

This article provides general information for guidance only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax or regulatory advice. Requirements, fees and procedures can change; always confirm current rules with the relevant authority and a qualified professional before acting.