DIASPORA BUYER’S SAFETY GUIDE

✨ Introduction: A Message to Nigerians in the Diaspora

At Housekia, we understand the dream of owning property back home.

For many Nigerians in the diaspora, buying land or building a house in Nigeria is about security, legacy, and long-term investment.

Unfortunately, diaspora buyers are also the most targeted by land scammers, fake developers, and dishonest agents.

This guide was created to help you buy safely, avoid common traps, and protect your investment — even while abroad.

⚠ Why Diaspora Buyers Are at Higher Risk

When you are not physically present:

You rely on third parties

You cannot inspect land easily

You are pressured to “secure it fast”

Documents are harder to verify

Scammers assume you have more funds

Housekia Insight:

Most land fraud cases in Lagos involve buyers living outside Nigeria.

🚩 Section 1: Red Flags Diaspora Buyers Must Never Ignore

Land is extremely cheap

Seller pushes urgency

Refusal to allow independent inspection

Documents are “processing”

You are told not to use a lawyer

Only WhatsApp communication

No office, no company registration

You are not allowed to verify with government offices

If any of these happen, pause immediately.

🧭 Section 2: The Housekia Diaspora Safety Framework

Before paying for any land, ensure all five steps are followed:

✔ Step 1: Independent Verification

Never rely only on what the seller sends.

Use your own:

Lawyer

Surveyor

Trusted consultant

✔ Step 2: Government Confirmation

Your representatives must verify the land at:

Lagos State Land Registry

Office of the Surveyor-General

Ministry of Physical Planning

Confirm land is not:

under government acquisition

committed

in court

or encumbered.

✔ Step 3: Physical Inspection

Send a trusted person or professional to:

visit the land

confirm coordinates

take real-time videos

interview neighbors

check accessibility and environment.

Never buy based on pictures alone.

✔ Step 4: Legal Security

Your lawyer must:

confirm ownership

review documents

draft the Deed of Assignment

witness the transaction

supervise payment.

✔ Step 5: Post-Purchase Protection

Immediately after purchase:

fence the land

place signage

process Governor’s consent

register documents

monitor the property.

📄 Section 3: Documents Every Diaspora Buyer Must Demand

✔ Survey plan

✔ Deed of assignment

✔ C of O or Gazette/Excision

✔ Governor’s consent (if resale)

✔ Land history

✔ Receipts

Never pay without verifiable documents.

💳 Section 4: Payment Safety for Diaspora Buyers

Housekia strongly advises:

✔ Pay only into corporate or traceable bank accounts

✔ Avoid personal cash collections

✔ Avoid sending money before verification

✔ Ensure contracts are signed

✔ Use escrow or lawyer-supervised payment where possible

Every payment must have documentation.

🏞 Section 5: Omo Onile & Community Risk Management

Diaspora buyers are frequent targets of omo onile harassment.

Reduce risk by:

confirming the original land-owning family

ensuring all principal family heads consent

avoiding lands with multiple claimants

fencing immediately

documenting all settlements legally.

If more than one family claims the land — walk away.

🏛 Section 6: Government Acquisition Awareness

Many diaspora buyers unknowingly buy government land.

Always confirm:

✔ acquisition status

✔ excision or gazette

✔ planning approval

✔ survey charting

This step is non-negotiable.

🛡 Section 7: Housekia Diaspora Protection Tips

Never rush

Never rely on one source

Never skip land registry search

Never buy unseen land

Never send money without paperwork

Always document everything

🏁 Final Note from Housekia

Buying property in Lagos from abroad is possible — and profitable — when done correctly.

Safe property buying is built on:

✔ verification

✔ documentation

✔ professional involvement

✔ patience.

If any transaction avoids these, walk away.

At Housekia, we believe every diaspora buyer deserves security, not stories.

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