In recent times, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming rise in cases where unsuspecting investors lose millions to fraudulent real estate companies. Many of these companies parade glossy brochures, attractive payment plans, and enticing promises of “instant allocation,” yet behind the scenes, what they are selling is either government-acquired land, family-disputed land, or plots that lack legal survey documentation.
As a registered and seasoned surveyor in Nigeria, I have seen firsthand how investors fall into these traps. The truth is simple: most of these problems could be avoided if proper land surveying and verification were done before money exchanged hands.
Common Ways Real Estate Companies Scam Investors
- Selling Government-Acquired Land: Many companies knowingly sell land that is under government acquisition. Such land cannot be legally owned or developed unless it has an excision or appears in the gazette. Unfortunately, investors only discover this after they have paid.
- Multiple Sales of the Same Plot: One of the most common forms of real estate fraud in Nigeria is selling a single plot to multiple buyers. Without a proper boundary survey or verification, you may end up in long court cases.
- Fake or Unverified Survey Plans: Some companies hand investors forged or unregistered survey plans in Nigeria. A genuine survey must be charted and verifiable at the Office of the Surveyor General.
- Allocating Plots Without Layout Surveys: Many investors are excited by “allocation ceremonies” posted online, but if no layout survey has been conducted, the plots may overlap with existing boundaries, lack road access, or face future drainage problems.
Why a Registered Surveyor Is Your Best Protection
Engaging a licensed surveyor in Nigeria can save investors from huge losses. Here’s why:
- Land Verification: A surveyor checks land coordinates at the Surveyor General’s office to confirm if the land is free, acquired, or under litigation.
- Authentication of Survey Plans: Registered surveyors know how to identify fake survey plans instantly.
- Proper Estate Development: For estate projects, surveyors ensure that the land has a valid layout survey for roads, drainage, and plots.
- Waterfront Checks: Near water bodies, surveyors conduct hydrographic or bathymetric surveys to confirm soil stability and identify risks.
Regulatory Bodies to Verify Your Surveyor
To avoid fraud, investors should only work with surveyors recognized by law:
- SURCON (Surveyors Council of Nigeria): The official body licensing surveyors. You can confirm a surveyor’s registration here.
- Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS): Ensures ethical practice and professional standards.
- Office of the Surveyor General (State & Federal): Handles land charting and verification of survey plans.
Always cross-check with these institutions before committing funds to any land.
Steps Every Investor Must Take Before Paying for Land
- Engage a Registered Surveyor: Never rely solely on the real estate company’s documents.
- Verify the Survey Plan: Ensure the land coordinates match records at the Surveyor General’s office.
- Ask for a Layout Survey: This ensures the estate is properly planned for development.
- Be Wary of Marketing Hype: Don’t let glossy brochures or payment plans cloud your judgment.
- Insist on Transparency: Any genuine company will allow independent verification.
Conclusion
Land is one of the safest investments in Nigeria, but only when backed by proper verification. With the growing cases of real estate scams in Nigeria, investors must prioritize due diligence over flashy adverts.
As a registered surveyor, my advice remains simple: Before you buy land in Nigeria, conduct a survey. It might cost you a little today, but it will save you millions tomorrow.