11/05/2026
Many people think once they know the address of a property, that is enough.
It is not.
In land transactions, the Survey Plan often speaks louder than the address itself.
You may know the estate.
You may know the street.
You may even know the exact building.
But if the survey contains errors, omissions, wrong locality descriptions, or inconsistent coordinates, the Land Registry can reject the entire application.
And once that happens:
• documents may need to be withdrawn;
• fresh surveys may need to be prepared;
• filings may need to start all over again;
• and the client bears additional delay and cost.
We recently encountered a situation where a seemingly minor omission in the survey locality triggered issues at the registry stage. Something as simple as an incomplete location description can affect an entire perfection process.
This is why due diligence in property transactions is not just about “buying land.”
It is about ensuring that:
✔ the documentation aligns;
✔ the survey reflects accurate coordinates;
✔ the property description is consistent;
✔ and the title process can actually scale through regulatory scrutiny.
A good survey plan is not just a drawing.
It is a legal and technical identity of the land.
Before you buy, sell, perfect title, or commence registration ... review the survey properly.
One small mistake on paper can become a very expensive delay in practice.
LegalTips LagosLawyer PropertyInvestment NigerianRealEstate DueDiligence
