Buying from abroad
Buying property in Nigeria as a non-resident or diaspora buyer
What changes when a non-Nigerian buys property: consent requirements, the foreign exchange process, tax clearance, and the practical steps that let you complete a purchase from outside the country.
Last reviewed 2026-09-26 · 3 min read
Governor's Consent and the Land Use Act
Nigeria's Land Use Act governs land use and requires the Governor's consent for transactions that involve a person who is not Nigerian. This is the first thing a non-resident buyer needs to understand, because it affects the documents, the timeline and the cost of the purchase.
Many non-residents therefore buy through a company incorporated in Nigeria rather than in their own name. Whether that avoids the consent requirement depends on the current state law, the company's constitution and who owns the company, so treat it as a question for a Nigerian solicitor rather than an assumption.
Getting money into Nigeria
Foreign exchange in Nigeria is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the rules and permitted channels change periodically. You cannot simply transfer funds for any purpose and expect the same treatment as a trade payment.
Purchasing property generally needs to be routed through a Nigerian bank and may fall under a specific provision rather than a routine personal remittance. Some buyers obtain a CBN-approved Form M through their bank before committing funds. Whatever route you use, the money must be traceable, and banks will ask for evidence of the source of funds. Establish the position with your bank, in writing, before you pay anybody.
- Speak to your Nigerian bank before committing funds, and get the permitted route confirmed in writing.
- Keep a complete, documented trail of where the funds came from.
- Do not rely on informal or third-party channels to move money for a property purchase.
Tax clearance
A Tax Clearance Certificate for Individuals and Guardians, commonly called a TCIG, is generally required to complete a property transfer. It is obtained from the Internal Revenue Service of the state where the property sits, which for Abuja is the FCT Internal Revenue Service.
Capital gains tax applies to the gain arising on a disposal of land or a building, and stamp duty applies to the transfer itself. The rates that apply depend on the taxpayer and are set in law, and they should be confirmed for your own circumstances rather than assumed. A solicitor or tax adviser should compute both before you complete, because they affect your final cost.
Practical steps if you are buying from abroad
Most of the work can be done remotely, but it is much faster if you appoint the right people early. A Nigerian solicitor, not only the seller's agent, should conduct the searches and prepare the documents, and a notary may be required where a signature has to be witnessed or apostilled for use outside Nigeria.
- Appoint an independent Nigerian solicitor, separate from the seller or agent.
- Run the title, gazette, survey and vendor searches before committing funds.
- If you will not travel, ask in advance about a power of attorney and what form it must take, including any notarisation or apostille requirements.
- Confirm the tax position and obtain the TCIG before completion, not after.
- Put the completion amount, the payment route and the timelines in writing with the solicitor.
What to do next
If you are buying from outside Nigeria, tell us your budget, the location you have in mind and whether you intend to hold the property personally or through a company. We will send you matching options and let you know which of them are realistically completable from abroad.
