What to know about land titles in Nigeria
When you purchase a piece of property, you also receive something called a land title. This document proves that you are the rightful owner of the land. In order to ensure the validity of the land title, it is important to understand what it is and what it covers.
We cannot underscore enough how crucial Land Titles are. Those who took it for granted either lost a significant amount of money or were parties in pointless legal disputes.
What is Land title?
A land title is a document that proves ownership of a piece of land. The title includes the name of the owner, a legal description of the property, and information on any encumbrances, such as mortgages or easements. The land title also shows a history of past ownership, as well as any restrictions on the use of the land.
The land title is held by the owner of the property and is transferrable to another party if the property is sold. The Land Registry is responsible for maintaining a register of all land titles in England and Wales. In order to transfer ownership of a property, the land title must be registered with the Land Registry.
The land title is an important document as it proves ownership of the property. It is also a valuable asset, as it can be used as collateral for a loan or mortgage. The land title also provides evidence of ownership if the property is ever disputes.
How does land title impact your property?
It is important to inquire about, understand, and confirm the title associated with any property before buying it. Pre-investment research is usually advised.
You must understand how the title affects your property even after you have confirmed the type of title that comes with your newly acquired property.
Additionally, the worth and security of the document are determined by it. These documents also assist present landowners and potential buyers in better understanding their legal rights with regard to easements, natural resource rights, usage rights, and other rights that are already in place.
For example, a land may have a variety of land titles, each of which will have a notable impact on the land in question.
1. GOVERNOR’S CONSENT
According to the principle of the law, any alienation of a land interest must first receive the governor's approval.
A Certificate of Occupancy may be obtained by the first individual to occupy a virgin piece of land that has not yet been occupied by anybody else or is not subject to government acquisition. After so many years, if the owner of the C of O intends to sell his land to someone else, he or she must first get the governor's approval before the government will recognize the sale as valid.
2. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
Irrespective of the land's intended purpose, this appears to be one of the most important land title documents needed to establish the legal and ownership status of any land in Nigeria. A legal document stating that the executive land situates has awarded the owner of any land a statutory right of occupancy is also included. The processing of land title paperwork, particularly C of O, takes longer than anticipated to be approved in Lagos. The approval of a C of O paperwork may take longer than 18 months, which increases the value of the land significantly.
3. EXCISION AND GAZETTE
A land is cut when it is excised. This is the procedure by which the government returns a plot of land to its original indigenous owners so that they may develop it for residential and commercial uses. A piece of land is considered to have the title "Gazette" when it is published in the official government gazette. Excision and gazette are excellent titles for a piece of property; such properties are secure to purchase and develop. A valid title can be processed on the land, making the gazette the title on the property, making it safe to purchase.
4. REGISTERED DEED OF ASSIGNMENT
A Deed of Assignment is a contract between the owner and seller of the property and the buyer of the property, demonstrating that the seller has given the buyer all of his rights, title interest, and ownership. The land or property becomes wholly and legally the property of the buyer of the property upon the exchange of the deed of assignment and the registration of the document at the land registry.