Few things hurt like buying land, building your dream home, then discovering the government has marked it “ACQUIRED” or “UNDER ACQUISITION.” At that point, emotions don’t matter, the land is gone, and in many cases, compensation won’t even cover your loss. Sadly, many Nigerians fall into this trap every year, usually because they were not properly informed before paying.
Here are the top three reasons people lose properties to government acquisition in Nigeria, and how to avoid becoming the next sad story.
1. Buying land inside government-acquired areas without proper verification
The government acquires land for public purposes like roads, airports, schools, rail lines, and industrial zones. Many buyers unknowingly purchase land already mapped out for these uses simply because it is cheap and available. Family sellers and speculators will still sell it, but legally, it is not theirs to sell.
Most victims skipped the most important step, verification at the state land registry and surveyor’s office. If the land falls within an acquired zone on the official land map, the deal is already a loss, no matter the receipt, witnesses, or family agreements involved.
2.Relying only on “family land” receipts and verbal assurances
This one is very common. A family tells you, “We’ve been on this land for generations; nothing will happen.” You collect receipts, photographs, and prayers, but no formal title. Meanwhile, the land may have been acquired decades ago, and the family simply refused to relocate.
Without proper documentation like C of O, Governor’s Consent, Gazette, or excision, the government still supersedes every claim. So when enforcement starts, bulldozers don’t ask who collected the receipt they simply do their job.
3. Ignoring excision and gazette status before buying
Many people hear words like “excision” and “gazette” but don’t fully understand them. Excision means the government has officially released part of previously acquired land back to the community. The Gazette is the published record confirming this release.
Buying land that is “excision in process” is pure risk. If the excision is not eventually approved, the land remains government property. Countless Nigerians lose money because they believe estate marketers without checking whether the excision was approved, published, and mapped.
Final Thought
Government acquisition is not wickedness; it is law. The real problem is that many buyers rush into land deals based on price, pressure, or sweet talk without professional due diligence.
Before you pay a single kobo:
- Verify at the land registry
- Use a licensed surveyor
- Consult a property lawyer
- confirm excision, gazette, or title authenticity
Real estate is not vibes. It is documentation.
Photos by Francis Tokede