Land ownership signifies the right to exclusive possession and unrestrained access to a piece of land. It is one thing to buy land but it is another thing to be able to prove that you truly own the land. Due to the importance that having land serves, it has made it a coveted asset. It has been the source of disputes and communal clashes to date. The inability to provide proof of land ownership jeopardizes access and claim to it. Without having certain land documents, you cannot prove land ownership in Nigeria. This may cause you to unwilfully give up your land when land conflicts ensue in the future with land grabbers. Your thoughts might be, How do I prove the ownership of land? This article will provide answers on how to prove ownership of land in Nigeria.

How to Prove Land Ownership in Nigeria

The are several ways to prove ownership of land in Nigeria. The most important is possessing the required land documents as stated in the Nigerian constitution. Land documents in Nigeria are various legal documents that are used to prove title, transfer, and convey land or ownership rights in Nigeria. A Land document reveals the transfer of ownership between one who once owned a property and the one who currently holds the property. Written below are different types of documents accepted to prove land ownership in Nigeria.

Receipt

The receipt you get after purchasing your land can help to prove ownership of the land. A receipt is a document that indicates the acceptance of payment for a particular property or land. Usually, vendors issue a receipt to the buyer upon the sale of a property. However, the receipt may not be necessary again where the clause for a receipt is contained in the deed.

Deed of Gift

A Deed of Gift is a legal document used to transfer ownership rights of a property from one person (the one who donated the property) to another (the one that it is donated to) without any monetary consideration. It is often used in cases where a parent wants to gift a piece of land to a child, relative, or any other person. It can be used to transfer ownership of a parcel of land permanently to another person.

Certification of Occupancy (C of O )

C of O is an important document in a land transaction. It is provided by the state government and it verifies the ownership of the property or land in question. This document upholds that the holder has the legal right to own and use a particular parcel of land for a specified period.

Survey Plan

This is a document that shows the boundaries and measurement of a piece of land. The measurements are done with exactness, accuracy, and important description of the land. A survey plan is usually drawn by a Registered Surveyor.

Deed of Assignment

This should not be confused with the Deed of Gift. A deed of assignment is a legal document that transfers ownership rights from the current owner (assignor) to the new owner (assignee). It is usually drafted by a legal practitioner and is registered at the Land Registry.

Letter of Administration.

A letter of administration is similar to a grant of Probate. It vests the property left behind by a deceased person into the administrators of a specific estate. It is usually granted to the personal representatives of a deceased person where the deceased left no Will before his death. If the Will did not provide executors, or the Will has become invalid for any reason.