How to know government acquisition land in Lagos state

HOW TO know government acquisitions land in Lagos state

The status of land in Lagos state can be determined by submitting an application for a charting information certificate and the result will help identify if the subject site quoted in the land survey falls within one of the 3 following statuses, either land falls within a committed government acquisition, or the land falls within uncommitted government acquisition or it is free from any government acquisition.


The process of identifying a land status is a very important step as it is used to identify if a land is a good land or bad land, in which we will confirm if the government has a particular use in mind for the land or not.




A particular statement used by most of my clients is that there is no need to confirm the status of a land because a lot of houses have been built in an area or sometimes that they say i trust the estate and the estate agent selling the property is a family friend.


Firstly I will like to inform you that your friend who is an estate agent has one job and it is to sell you a land, most times the sellers do not need to have experience in land matters but have experience in selling and it is only up to you to do your due diligence of confirming that what you are buying is the best.


In most cases these people selling the land do not even know what they are selling or have an idea of what the land status above means and what to do to get the land status or what to do after getting it.


And on the topic that an area has been built up with multiple buildings worth millions of Nairas, I would like to ask an important question.

If you have noticed that areas where the government demolishes properties have power (electricity) connection and other amenities like schools and police stations.


So what is other people's building compared to government buildings and from this example you can be rest assured you can’t be misguided by the number of buildings in an area. 

Developments or social amenities in an area is not a reference that a land is free from government acquisition.


So you can see that normally if you are not meant to live in an area the government that has not been zoned for residential then the government should not give you electricity and other amenities, but I believe the government do want to care for it citizens and do will only demolish whenever they need to and do intentionally try as much as possible not to because i believe thay know most people have been innocently misguided but when there are greater need of the land then the government will act accordingly.


That reminds me of an experience I had with a group from Abuja, they came into Lagos to buy a land along the ibeju lekki corridor facing the Atlantic ocean, these group had it in mind to buy almost 30 hectares which was valued around 3 billion Naira, I did advise them to process the charting information certificate, but they will persistent that they had all the connections from Abuja and they could buy any land anywhere in Nigeria.


Few hours to the completion of the deal one of them gave me the go ahead to get the charting information certificate and paused the transaction, when the result was delivered , the land was identified as a zone for a federal petroleum facility and they had to go back to Abuja and end the purchase. 


Most of the land in already developed areas like Ajah and Lekki are under government acquisition while some can be processed to meet all requirements some can’t and also the same goes for land in areas termed undeveloped like epe, badagry and many other areas in Lagos state.


The charting information application will be responded to by the office of the surveyor general of Lagos state on behalf of the Lagos state government and it indicates what a land area has been officially allocated for and your surveyor will advise on how to proceed.


In most cases when a land falls within a government acquisition it does not mean that the land is bad, but it mostly means the documentation of the land requires a different approach from a situation when the land is free from any known government acquisition .


In this blog we will be speaking about How to know a government acquisition land in Lagos state and the process to identify the status of a land, in the case in which you would like to study about the different process to documentation for the different types of land to prove ownership of the land, click on the link below.


To know if a land is not going to result in headaches in the future is a very important step to take, as this is for people tending to build and investors, I see a lot of advert where people use the future Airport in Ibex lekki has the selling point and no one has decided to ask the question where is the Airport and no one is also trying to find out if the land they are buying falls within the airport.

What if you are buying the land within the airport, how will you know?


The following steps will be followed know if a land falls under government acquisition in Lagos state




Step 1: Request for Land Survey Document from the Seller

To begin the process of identifying the status of the land, it is crucial to request the land survey document from the seller. This document is a mandatory requirement for processing the charting information certificate. The land survey document contains vital information, including the size of the land owned by the seller, the seller's name and address, and most importantly, the coordinates that will be used to investigate the status of the land.

You can request the land survey document in person from the seller to obtain a hard copy, or you can also request it electronically as a soft copy. It's important to inquire if the survey plan is available as it is a very important document to prove you are buying from the original land owner also any other titled documents available, such as a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Governor's Consent should be obtained. These additional documents can provide valuable insights and assist in conducting further investigations in addition to charting information for the land.

Below is a sample of a survey plan in Lagos state

A Sample Of A Survey Plan In Lagos State

Step 2: Confirm the Land Survey is for the Location by Site Visitation

To ensure accuracy and avoid any potential misrepresentation, it is crucial to confirm that the land survey provided by the seller is indeed for the specific location intended for purchase. Conducting a site visit serves as a necessary step in this verification process.

During the site visitation, the surveyor will examine the actual land and compare it to the information presented in the survey provided by the seller. The key focus will be on verifying if the coordinates on the survey align with the on-site observations. These coordinates play a crucial role in the subsequent process of charting information to investigate the status of the land.

It's important to note that the site visitation is not intended to carry out a comprehensive land survey but rather acts as a reconnaissance survey. This step becomes particularly important if the seller does not possess a survey plan prior to your request. In such cases, the surveyor will visit the site to gather positional and geometrical data, which will be used to draft a temporary survey solely for the purpose of applying for the charting information certificate.

All acquired details during this reconnaissance survey will be recorded and compared to the information provided in the survey. Videos and images of the visitation will be shared with the client. If any discrepancies or inaccuracies are identified between the information on the survey and the actual site, a new temporary survey draft will be produced to ensure the integrity of the process.

Step 3: Apply  for Charting Information Certificate

Once the necessary preparations have been made, your surveyor will proceed to submit an application for the charting information certificate. This application is typically submitted to the office of the Surveyor General of Lagos State.

To complete the application, certain documents and information are required. One of the essential documents is your survey plan, which can be either a draft or the original survey plan. Additionally, you will need to provide specific details for the certificate, including the name of the recipient and the corresponding address. These details ensure that the certificate is directed to the appropriate individual or entity.

When submitting the application, it is important to ensure that the survey plan is securely attached to the application. This helps in verifying the accuracy of the provided information and facilitates the processing of the charting information certificate.

Please note that there are fees associated with obtaining the charting information certificate. The fee structure is based on the size of the land, as per the state's scale of fees for charting information certificates. Additionally, there may be an additional processing fee payable to the surveyor handling your case.

Once the application is submitted, it will undergo further processing by the relevant authorities. The timeline for receiving the charting information certificate may vary, and your surveyor will provide updates and guidance throughout the process.


Step 4: Submit the Application

In this step, we will be responsible for submitting the application for the charting information certificate. Follow the instructions provided and ensure all required documents and information are included in the application package.

Here's a summary of the key actions to take when submitting the application:

By submitting the application promptly and ensuring all necessary steps are followed, you are taking an important stride towards obtaining the charting information certificate and gaining valuable insights into the status of the land.

Step 5: Await the Result

After submitting the application for the charting information certificate, you will need to patiently await the result. The processing time may vary depending on the workload and procedures of the Surveyor General's office.

During this waiting period, it is important to maintain communication with your surveyor. They will be able to provide updates on the progress of your application and any developments related to obtaining the charting information certificate.

While waiting for the result, it is advisable to refrain from making any major decisions or commitments regarding the land in question. The charting information certificate will provide valuable insights into the land's status, which will help inform your future actions and decisions.

Once the result is available, your surveyor will inform you promptly. The charting information certificate will indicate the status of the land, whether it falls within a committed government acquisition, uncommitted government acquisition, or is free from any government acquisition.

Upon receiving the charting information certificate, thoroughly review its contents. The certificate will serve as an official document detailing the land's status, and it can be used for legal and transactional purposes.

Remember to keep the charting information certificate in a safe place, as it may be required for future reference or when engaging in real estate transactions related to the land.

By patiently awaiting the result and staying in touch with your surveyor, you are ensuring that you receive accurate and up-to-date information about the status of the land, enabling you to make informed decisions moving forward.

Step 6: Get Result from Ministry and Review

In this step, we will receive the result of your charting information certificate application from the Ministry or Office of the Surveyor General. The certificate will provide important information about the status of the land you are investigating.

Here's what wii be done:

By obtaining the result from the Ministry and carefully reviewing the charting information certificate, we will have a clear understanding of the land's status and can give clear advice for you to make informed decisions regarding its acquisition or usage.


Step 7: Determine the Status of Your Land

After receiving the charting information certificate and reviewing its contents, it's time to determine the status of the land based on the information provided. This step will help you understand the implications of the land's status and make informed decisions moving forward.

Here's what you need to do:

By determining the status of your land and understanding its implications, you are better equipped to make informed decisions about its acquisition, development, or usage.


Step 8: Check Our Unique Chart Relating Land Status to Traffic Light System

To provide you with a simplified and visual understanding of the different land statuses in Lagos State, we have developed a unique chart that relates these statuses to a traffic light system. This chart will help you easily identify the implications of each status and make informed decisions about your land.

Here's what you need to do:

By referring to our unique chart relating land status to a traffic light system, you can easily grasp the significance of each status and make well-informed decisions regarding land acquisition or investment.

Step 9: Seek Professional Advice

It is highly recommended to seek professional advice from a qualified land surveyor. Their expertise will provide valuable insights, guide you through legal processes, and help ensure a smooth and secure transaction. Discuss the results of the charting information certificate, and any additional verification steps, and address any concerns or questions you have about the land status.


Step 10: Make an Informed Decision

After gathering all necessary information, conducting due diligence, and seeking professional advice, it's time to make an informed decision about the land. Evaluate factors such as land status, location, suitability for your intended use, potential developments in the area, and other relevant considerations. Weigh the risks and benefits, ensuring compliance with legal and documentation requirements. Collaborate with your surveyor, lawyer, or real estate expert to navigate the process smoothly and protect your investment.