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Ministry of Lands and Survey

First Registration of Title

Bring land that has never been registered onto the register, on proof of the root of title and possession.

Who can apply

The holder of unregistered land, or their registered attorney.

  • The land is mine
  • I am applying for a company
  • I am the owner's attorney (registered power of attorney)

What you receive

A Certificate of Title (AB/LND/FREG/…).

What you will need

Your application asks only for what your answers call for. Clear scans or photographs (PDF, JPG or PNG) are fine.

  • Root-of-title documents Required
  • Sworn declaration of possession Required
  • Holder's means of identification Required If you apply as: the land is mine / i am the owner's attorney (registered power of attorney)
  • Copy of the survey plan Required If: Survey plan is It was registered before this platform — I will upload a copy
  • Family or community confirmation Required If: How the land was acquired is Customary grant (family or community)
  • Tenement rate or land use charge receipts (optional)
  • Certificate of incorporation (CAC) Required If you apply as: i am applying for a company
  • CAC status report (or Forms CAC 2 and 7) Required If you apply as: i am applying for a company
  • Board resolution authorising the application Required If you apply as: i am applying for a company
  • Approval for a non-Nigerian to hold land (if already obtained) (optional) If: Nationality is Not Nigerian
  • Court processes, judgment or settlement on the dispute (optional) If: Is the land the subject of a dispute or a court case is Yes
  • The mortgage or charge document (optional) If: Is the land mortgaged or pledged as security for a debt is Yes
  • Copy of the Government notice Required If: Has Government served any notice to acquire or revoke the land is Yes

How it is processed

  1. Registry vetting
  2. Survey check
  3. Site inspection
  4. Valuation
  5. BIR assessment and payment
  6. Legal review
  7. Director's recommendation
  8. Approval
  9. Issuance

Each stage is decided by the officer responsible for it, and approvals by officers who took no other part in the case. You are told at every step.

What is checked

  • The survey plan is registered, current and yours
  • No caveat, court order, pending suit or acquisition on the land
  • For an attorney: a registered power of attorney naming you, from the owner, covering this land and this purpose
  • No other application for the same land is open
  • The holder's tax clearance, and capital gains tax or stamp duty where the transaction attracts them (Board of Internal Revenue)