For Nigerians abroad considering a Lagos property purchase, this guide translates common records into the questions they can help you ask before you commit.
01
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
A record associated with a stated right of occupancy over a parcel for a stated term. In a review, it is read alongside the property description, registered interests and the identity of the person or organisation presenting it.
What it can help show
It can help establish what interest is being presented, the land description attached to that interest and which details should be checked against official records.
Limits to keep in mind
A copy by itself does not prove that the presenter is the current owner, that the parcel matches the property being offered, or that no later interest, restriction or competing record exists.
Source attribution
Completed Lagos evidence glossary — Source citation to be supplied from the completed research.
02
Deed of Assignment
A document used to record a transfer of an interest in land from one party to another. Its names, dates, property description and execution details are important parts of the evidence trail.
What it can help show
It can help show the claimed chain of transfer and the parties who say they transferred or received an interest in the property.
Limits to keep in mind
It does not, on its own, confirm that every earlier transfer was valid, that required consent or registration is complete, or that the land is free of competing interests.
Source attribution
Completed Lagos evidence glossary — Source citation to be supplied from the completed research.
03
Governor's Consent
A consent record connected with a transfer or other dealing in a statutory right of occupancy. The relevant record, property and parties still need to be matched to the transaction being considered.
What it can help show
It can help identify whether a particular dealing is presented as having received the relevant consent and what transaction details should be traced.
Limits to keep in mind
The presence of a consent document does not prove that the copy is authentic, that the described parcel is the same one being offered, or that the complete title and encumbrance picture is clear.
Source attribution
Completed Lagos evidence glossary — Source citation to be supplied from the completed research.
04
Gazette
A government publication or notice that may contain land-related information, including information relevant to an acquisition, scheme or release. Its meaning depends on the particular notice and the land it describes.
What it can help show
It can help locate a public notice or stated government position that should be compared with the property description and other records.
Limits to keep in mind
A gazette reference is not a complete ownership search. It does not by itself resolve identity, boundaries, later dealings, restrictions or whether the property on the ground matches the publication.
Source attribution
Completed Lagos evidence glossary — Source citation to be supplied from the completed research.
05
Survey Plan
A technical drawing that identifies a parcel through measurements, boundary information and location references supplied by the survey record. It is one piece of evidence in checking what land is being discussed.
What it can help show
It can help compare the claimed parcel with coordinates, adjoining features and the site information available for the property.
Limits to keep in mind
A survey plan does not, by itself, prove ownership, confirm unrestricted title or make a transaction safe. Its details still need to be checked against the relevant survey and land records and, where appropriate, the site.
Source attribution
Official survey-plan research — Exact official source URL and review date to be supplied from the completed research.
06
Encumbrance
A claim, restriction, charge or other interest that may affect how land can be dealt with or enjoyed. It is a reason to look beyond the seller’s summary of the property.
What it can help show
An encumbrance review can help surface recorded interests or restrictions that may need clarification before a buyer decides how to proceed.
Limits to keep in mind
No single search or document guarantees that every issue has been found. The result depends on the records searched, the property identifiers used and the date of the search.
Source attribution
Completed Lagos evidence glossary — Source citation to be supplied from the completed research.
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