Buying property in Abuja: every step to a legal title
What a seller should be able to show you, where they get anything that is missing, and what you and your lawyer do once you agree terms. Every Lagos and Abuja listing on NaijaMart shows this checklist with the real status of each document.
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Buying or leasing: what the seller should show you
Ask for each of these before any money changes hands, and have your lawyer check them.
A1AGIS legal search · required
A legal search at AGIS confirms the title is genuine and shows who holds it and whether a mortgage, caveat, revocation or dispute is recorded on the file. AGIS sights the original title document.
Where to get it: Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), FCTA. Paid through Remita.
Documents that satisfy this step: AGIS Legal Search Report
Law: Constitution of Nigeria 1999, s.297(2) — all land in the FCT is owned by the Federal Government and is administered by the FCT Minister.
Fees: ₦10,000 for an individual file, ₦20,000 for a company file — as published by AGIS.
Typical time: 24 hours to 3 days (AGIS)
Official site · Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
A2Seller's title document · required
An FCT Right of Occupancy (R of O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in the seller's name, or a Deed of Assignment with the Minister's consent. A title issued only by an Area Council must first be regularised with the FCTA, and an old FCT title that was never recertified must be recertified.
Where to get it: The seller. Its details should match the AGIS search (A1).
Documents that satisfy this step: Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) · Right of Occupancy (R of O) · Minister's Consent · Deed of Assignment
Law: Land Use Act 1978 as applied in the FCT.
Fees: Area Council regularisation form ₦5,000; late recertification ₦150,000 — as published by AGIS.
Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
A3Ground rent and land bills paid · required
Receipts showing ground rent and other land bills are paid up to date. In November 2025 the FCT Minister revoked 1,095 titles over unpaid ground rent, so check this before paying anything. A revoked title cannot be listed on NaijaMart.
Where to get it: The seller (AGIS bills, paid through Remita).
Documents that satisfy this step: Ground Rent Receipts
Law: Payment of ground rent is a condition of every FCT right of occupancy.
Source: Sahara Reporters — FCT revokes 1,095 titles over unpaid ground rent (28 Nov 2025), checked 2026-09-23
A4Survey data (TDP) · required
The Technical Data Pack (TDP) or survey plan issued with the title, showing the plot's coordinates and boundaries.
Where to get it: The seller (issued by AGIS with the title).
Documents that satisfy this step: Survey Plan / TDP
Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
A5Regularisation or recertification · recommended
If the title came from an Area Council, or is an old FCT title, the AGIS acknowledgement that it has been regularised or recertified.
Where to get it: AGIS / FCTA Department of Land Administration.
Documents that satisfy this step: Recertification / Regularisation (AGIS)
Official site · Source: Nigeria Housing Market — FCT R of O issuance for regularised Area Council lands, checked 2026-09-23
A6Development status · recommended
The FCTA has said undeveloped allocations can be revoked after 2 years. Check whether the plot is developed or has development approval.
Where to get it: The seller. Approvals are issued by FCDA Development Control.
Documents that satisfy this step: Building / Development Approval
Source: The Abuja Inquirer — Develop your land allocation within 2 years (11 Apr 2025), checked 2026-09-23
A7Selling under a power of attorney · recommended
A power of attorney does NOT transfer title. If the seller relies on one, the owner's title and the registered power of attorney must both be checked, and the buyer still needs a deed and the Minister's consent.
Where to get it: The seller. Powers of attorney are registered at AGIS.
Documents that satisfy this step: Power of Attorney
Fees: Registration ₦102,000 — as published by AGIS.
Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
Land status on NaijaMart
NaijaMart records the result of the charting (Lagos) or AGIS (Abuja) check on every listing. Land under committed government acquisition, or with a revoked title, cannot be listed.
- Land is free of government acquisition
- Excised land (released from acquisition)
- Under uncommitted government acquisition — ratification needed
- Under committed government acquisition — cannot be listed
- Title revoked — cannot be listed
After you agree terms: you and your lawyer
A9Contract of sale and Deed of Assignment
Your lawyer drafts a contract of sale, then a Deed of Assignment that transfers the seller's interest to you. Both sides sign, and the deed is stamped.
Where to get it: Your lawyer.
Law: Land Use Act 1978, s.22 (the transfer needs the Minister's consent — next step).
Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
A10Minister's consent and registration
Your lawyer applies at AGIS for the Minister's consent to the assignment and its registration. AGIS requires outstanding bills to be paid, and lists a developed property as a requirement for a Deed of Assignment.
Where to get it: AGIS, FCTA. Paid through Remita.
- Application for consent
- The Deed of Assignment
- Copy of the Certificate of Occupancy
- Receipts for outstanding bills (including ground rent)
Law: Land Use Act 1978, s.22 as applied in the FCT — a transfer without consent is void.
Fees: 8% of the property value for a Deed of Assignment or Gift — as published by AGIS. Your bill is final.
Official site · Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
Renting or shortlet: what the landlord should show you
A8Owner's authority to let · required
Proof that the person letting the property owns it, or has the owner's written authority to let it: a title document, a letter of authority, or a power of attorney from the owner.
Where to get it: The landlord or the agent.
Documents that satisfy this step: Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) · Right of Occupancy (R of O) · Deed of Assignment · Owner's Letter of Authority · Power of Attorney
Source: AGIS — Processes and payment requirements, checked 2026-09-23
A guide to the published process, not legal advice. Fees are as published by the named offices; your demand notice or bill is final. Sources checked 2026-09-23.
