A practical, step-by-step playbook for Nigerians in the UK buying Lagos property remotely — including how to avoid the scams that target diaspora buyers.
Buying Nigeria property from the UK is entirely achievable — but it requires a methodical approach, a trustworthy team on the ground, and robust document verification. The diaspora property market is also the most heavily targeted by fraudsters, who exploit the buyer's physical absence and unfamiliarity with local processes.
Before Anything Else: Establish Your Ground Team
You will need a buyer's advisory firm with a dedicated project manager, a qualified Nigerian solicitor you found independently (not one referred by the seller), and video-viewing capability for all properties. The advisory firm should be registered with LASRERA (Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority) and able to provide verifiable references from diaspora clients.
How Remote Viewings Work
Any reputable advisory firm should conduct accompanied viewings on your behalf, recording full-length video walkthroughs with commentary on structural condition, infrastructure, neighbourhood context, and comparable listings. Still photos from a seller's listing are not sufficient due diligence for a transaction of this size.
Title Verification from the UK
You do not need to be in Nigeria to verify title. Your Nigerian solicitor can commission a Land Registry search against the title documents provided by the seller. You should receive a written Title Verification Report before paying any deposit — not after. If any advisor or solicitor tells you this is not possible remotely, find a different advisor.
The most common diaspora fraud pattern: A seller claims to own a property, accepts a large deposit from an overseas buyer, then disappears. The property was either not theirs to sell, or the same deposit was collected from multiple buyers simultaneously. Independent title verification before any money changes hands is the only reliable protection.
FX and Payments
All property payments in Nigeria must be made in Naira to a Nigerian bank account. Do not transfer funds to a UK- or UAE-based account on behalf of a 'seller'. Transfer GBP via a reputable FX provider who delivers Naira directly to the vendor's verified Nigerian bank account — with a documented paper trail for every transaction.
Nigerian Solicitor vs UK Solicitor
You need a Nigerian solicitor qualified in Nigerian property law and familiar with the Lagos title system. A UK solicitor cannot advise on Nigerian title documents. Some dual-qualified solicitors exist and can provide useful context, but the primary legal review must be conducted by a Lagos-based solicitor who can physically present documents to the Land Registry.
Terralume Diaspora Remote Package: Our Diaspora Remote package is designed specifically for buyers in the UK, US, Canada, and UAE. We conduct all viewings and inspections on video, provide written reports on every property, and manage completion entirely remotely — from brief to key handover.
