Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Nigeria Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Lagos' property market is included in our pack
Buying property in Lagos typically takes 3-6 months from initial decision to receiving keys, though bureaucratic delays can extend this significantly.
The Lagos property purchase process involves multiple stages including title verification, due diligence, financing approval, legal documentation, Governor's Consent, and property registration. Cash buyers can complete transactions faster than those requiring mortgage financing, but even the most efficient purchases face potential delays due to Nigeria's complex regulatory environment and manual processing systems.
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Property purchases in Lagos require 3-6 months on average, with cash transactions potentially completing in 2-4 weeks for basic transfers.
The most significant delays occur during Governor's Consent processing (3-12 months) and property registration (3-6 months), making it essential to budget extra time for bureaucratic procedures.
| Process Stage | Typical Duration | Potential Delays |
|---|---|---|
| Property Search & Title Verification | 7-14 days | Up to 4 weeks |
| Due Diligence Checks | 2-4 weeks | Up to 1 month |
| Bank Mortgage Approval | 4-8 weeks | Up to 2 months |
| Legal Documentation | 7-14 days | Up to 3 weeks |
| Governor's Consent | 3-12 months | Up to 1 year |
| Property Registration | 3-6 months | Up to 1 year |
| Final Payment & Handover | 7-14 days | Up to 1 month |
How long does it usually take from when I first decide to buy property in Lagos until I get the keys?
A complete property purchase in Lagos from initial decision to key handover typically takes 3-6 months for straightforward transactions.
Cash buyers can potentially complete the entire process in 2-4 weeks if they focus only on basic ownership transfer without obtaining full legal title through Governor's Consent. However, most buyers pursuing proper legal title with Governor's Consent and full registration should expect 6-12 months due to bureaucratic delays.
The timeline varies significantly based on financing method, property type, seller cooperation, and government processing speeds. New developments or properties with complex ownership histories often require additional time for verification and documentation.
As of September 2025, the Lagos State government has been working to digitize some processes, but manual verification and approval stages still create substantial delays for most property transactions.
What is the average timeline just to get a property search and title verification done with the Lagos State Land Registry?
Property search and title verification at the Lagos State Land Registry typically takes 7-14 days for most transactions.
The fastest possible completion time is 2 days when the registry has low workload and all documents are readily available in their system. However, complex properties or high-demand periods can extend this process to 2-4 weeks.
Physical property inspection and survey verification usually add another 3-7 days, though these steps often run parallel to registry checks. The Lagos State Land Registry has improved its digital systems in recent years, but manual record-keeping for older properties still causes delays.
Buyers should budget extra time if the property has multiple previous owners or if there are discrepancies in historical records that require additional investigation.
How long should I expect due diligence checks like verifying survey plans and land ownership to take in Lagos?
Comprehensive due diligence in Lagos typically requires 2-4 weeks for thorough completion.
This process includes reviewing survey plans, verifying against government acquisition records, and conducting searches at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Probate Registry, and Court registries. Experienced lawyers often run multiple investigations simultaneously to minimize total time.
The fastest due diligence can be completed in 3 days for simple, well-documented properties, but this accelerated timeline carries higher risk of missing important issues. Complex properties or those with ownership disputes may require up to 1 month for complete verification.
Local inquiries with neighbors and community leaders add valuable verification but can extend the timeline if scheduling conflicts arise. It's something we develop in our Nigeria property pack.
How much time do banks in Lagos typically need to approve and disburse a mortgage loan?
Banks in Lagos generally require 4-8 weeks from application submission to final mortgage approval and disbursement.
The initial approval process takes 2-8 weeks depending on the bank's internal procedures, credit assessment complexity, and property valuation requirements. Major Nigerian banks like GTBank, Zenith Bank, and First Bank typically process applications faster than smaller institutions.
Fund disbursement occurs 1-2 weeks after formal approval, though compliance checks and final documentation can create additional delays. Some banks experience processing backlogs during peak buying seasons, extending timelines to 2 months or more.
Pre-approval can significantly reduce these timelines, with some banks offering conditional approval within 1-2 weeks for well-qualified borrowers with complete documentation.
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If I'm buying with cash, how quickly can the transaction move compared to financing with a bank?
Cash purchases in Lagos can move significantly faster than financed transactions, potentially completing in 2-4 weeks for basic ownership transfer.
Cash buyers avoid the 4-8 week mortgage approval process entirely, allowing immediate fund transfer and contract signing once due diligence is complete. The fastest cash transactions can be finalized in just 2 weeks when both parties are prepared and all documentation is readily available.
However, cash buyers still face the same timeline challenges for Governor's Consent (3-12 months) and property registration (3-6 months) if they pursue full legal title. Many cash buyers choose to complete initial ownership transfer quickly and handle government approvals separately.
The speed advantage of cash is most pronounced in competitive markets where sellers prefer the certainty of immediate payment over potentially delayed mortgage approvals.
How long does it take to negotiate and sign a sale and purchase agreement in Lagos?
Negotiating and signing a sale and purchase agreement in Lagos typically takes 3-10 days for straightforward transactions.
Simple agreements between willing parties can be finalized in as little as 3 days, particularly when using standard contract templates and market-rate pricing. Complex negotiations involving multiple terms, payment schedules, or family-owned properties may extend to 2-4 weeks.
Family-owned properties often require additional time for multiple family members to review and approve terms, potentially adding 1-2 weeks to the negotiation process. Properties with unique conditions or seller financing arrangements also tend to require extended negotiation periods.
This timeline often overlaps with final due diligence completion or lawyer review, allowing efficient buyers to advance multiple processes simultaneously.
What is the normal timeline for lawyers in Lagos to draft, review, and finalize property contracts?
Lagos property lawyers typically complete contract drafting, review, and finalization within 7-14 days for standard transactions.
Simple contracts with clear terms and complete documentation can be finished in approximately 1 week. More complex transactions involving multiple properties, corporate buyers, or unusual terms may require up to 3 weeks for thorough review and revision.
The timeline depends heavily on lawyer workload, document completeness, and the complexity of terms being negotiated. Experienced real estate lawyers with dedicated support staff generally complete work faster than smaller practices handling multiple practice areas.
Delays often occur when missing documents require additional time to obtain or when contract terms require multiple revision cycles between buyer and seller legal teams.
How many weeks does the Governor's Consent process usually take after submitting the application?
The Governor's Consent process in Lagos officially targets 30 days but realistically takes 3-12 months for completion.
The Lagos State government has established a 30-day target timeline, but bureaucratic delays, document queries, and registry backlogs consistently extend actual processing times. Some expedited cases with complete documentation and no complications can approach the official timeline.
Common delays include missing supporting documents, title verification issues, and manual review processes that can extend the timeline to 1 year or more. Properties with complex ownership histories or government acquisition concerns face the longest delays.
It's something we develop in our Nigeria property pack. As of September 2025, the Lagos State government has been implementing digital processing improvements, but most applications still face significant delays beyond the official target.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Nigeria versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you're planning to invest there.
How long should I expect property registration at the Lagos State Land Registry to take?
Property registration with title perfection in Lagos typically requires 3-6 months when all paperwork is properly prepared.
The registration process often runs concurrently with Governor's Consent processing, but manual verification systems and government office inefficiencies create routine delays. Even well-prepared applications with complete documentation face extended processing times due to registry workload.
Properties with clear title and complete documentation may achieve registration closer to the 3-month minimum, while complex cases or those with documentation issues can extend to 1 year or more. The Lagos State Land Registry has been upgrading its systems, but legacy manual processes still dominate most registration procedures.
Registry backlogs during peak buying seasons can further extend these timelines, making it essential to factor additional time into purchase planning.
How many days or weeks does it take to pay property taxes and other statutory fees before closing?
Property taxes and statutory fees in Lagos can typically be paid within 1-4 days once assessment notices are received.
| Fee Type | Payment Timeline | Potential Delays |
|---|---|---|
| Consent Fees | 1-2 days | Processing system issues |
| Stamp Duty | 1-2 days | Document verification |
| Capital Gains Tax | 2-3 days | Assessment disputes |
| Registration Fees | 1-2 days | Registry system delays |
| Property Tax | 1-3 days | Valuation disagreements |
The actual payment process is straightforward when buyers have received proper assessment notices and can pay immediately through designated government channels. Delays primarily arise from payment processing system issues or documentation problems rather than the payment act itself.
Some fees may require coordination with multiple government agencies, adding complexity but not necessarily extending the timeline if properly managed by experienced legal counsel.
What's the realistic timeframe for getting possession and physical handover after final payment in Lagos?
Possession and physical handover in Lagos typically occurs 7-14 days after final payment and completion of all legal requirements.
Straightforward handovers can happen as quickly as 7 days when sellers are cooperative and no post-closing issues arise. However, disputes over property condition, outstanding utilities, or seller delays can extend this period to 1 month or more.
New or under-construction properties may face additional delays for final inspections, snagging resolution, or completion of promised amenities. Sellers occasionally delay handover while resolving their own relocation or purchase chain issues.
Smart buyers schedule final walkthroughs and arrange utility transfers in advance to minimize handover delays once legal completion occurs.
How much delay should I budget for in case of bureaucracy, verification issues, or seller-side problems in Lagos?
Budget at least 1-2 additional months beyond optimistic timelines for bureaucratic delays and seller-side complications in Lagos property purchases.
The most significant delays consistently occur during Governor's Consent processing and property registration stages, where government inefficiencies can extend timelines by 6-12 months beyond official targets. Verification holdups involving land surveys, title disputes, or ownership documentation also commonly add 1-3 months to transactions.
Seller-side problems include missing documents, slow cooperation with requests, family disputes over property sale, or external encumbrances that require resolution before closing. These issues can add anywhere from 2-8 weeks to transaction timelines.
It's something we develop in our Nigeria property pack. Experienced buyers in Lagos typically plan for worst-case scenarios and maintain flexibility in their moving or investment timelines to accommodate these common delays.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Property purchases in Lagos require careful timeline planning due to complex regulatory processes and potential bureaucratic delays.
While cash buyers can achieve faster initial ownership transfer, all buyers face similar challenges during government approval stages that can extend transactions significantly beyond initial expectations.
Sources
- Reddit Nigeria Community Discussion
- The African Investor Property Guide
- Estate Intel Lagos Property Guide
- Trusted Advisors Law Title Verification
- Resolution Law Firm Registry Guide
- Legal Search Nigerian Land Registry
- Adeola Oyinlade Law Firm
- Naija Trusted Realtor Due Diligence
- Nairaland Due Diligence Discussion
- Nigeria Property Centre HOMS Guide