Land surveying may look like a routine technical task from the outside, just coordinates, boundaries, and maps. But in reality, it’s far deeper than that, especially here in Nigeria, where land wahala is no joke. Behind every survey request is someone planning a home, launching a business, or investing their hard-earned money into a future. That’s why to us, land surveying is more than just a job; it’s a commitment to protecting our clients’ interests and investments.
In every parcel of land we survey, we are not just drawing lines on a map. We are helping people avoid future stress like government demolition, legal battles, or total investment loss. Therefore, we take this responsibility seriously, and client satisfaction and protection are values we don’t joke with.
Since the beginning of this year, we’ve seen a high volume of survey requests from clients, some for registered surveys, others for provincial plans. Regardless of the type, we make it a priority to carry out land information charting before taking any major step. This involves investigating the property in-depth to uncover any hidden features or risks that could affect our clients’ long-term interests.
Surprisingly or perhaps alarmingly, we have found that about 45% of the land survey jobs we’ve received so far have had serious underlying issues:
- Some are situated under high-tension electricity lines
- Others are under government acquisition
- Many fall outside the Lagos State Government’s approved urban plans
Rather than going ahead to prepare a survey plan and later revealing these problems, as some might do, we immediately advise our clients against going forward. Why? Because our integrity and ethical commitment won’t allow us to take money and stay silent when we know a land is problematic.
We have also had cases where clients insist we go ahead, telling us that the land “looks okay” or “feels like a good investment,” because their friends have properties there or because there are other people who already have properties there and have been living or making use of that property for a long time without problems. But this kind of surface-level judgment is exactly why surveyors exist. Feelings can’t uncover legal restrictions, boundary encroachments, or future demolition threats. Only a detailed, professional survey can do that.
And so, we stand our ground because protecting our clients means sometimes telling them what they don’t want to hear.
Hiring a qualified land surveyor is not just a formality. It’s a crucial step in protecting your investment because at the end of the day, qualified surveyors who are passionate about the job and is driven by a genuine sense of responsibility will help you:
- Get the Truth, Not Just a Document
- Protect Your Investment in the Long-Term
- Avoid Legal and Government Trouble
- Receive More Than Just Coordinates
Professional land surveyors are not just about how many plans they can stamp or how much they can charge. They are about adding real value, building trust, and ensuring that clients are never left in regret after a land deal.
So we would rather lose a job than allow clients to make a costly mistake we could have prevented.
Before you pay one kobo or finalize that deal, talk to a qualified surveyor. Not someone who just calls themselves a surveyor, but someone who knows the terrain, understands the Nigerian land issues, government policies, and is ready to tell you the hard truth when needed.
- Don’t just look at the land, look into it.
- Don’t assume, verify. Land verification is a must!
- Don’t rush, investigate.
In a country like Nigeria, especially Lagos, one mistake on land can cost you everything. So don’t take chances.
