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Nigeria · Build and develop

Building a house in Nigeria from abroad

Short answer

In Lagos State, you need a planning permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) before any form of development, and the plans must be prepared by the appropriate registered professionals, according to the Lagos e-Planning Permit service.

Researched by Motherland from 7 sources · last checked 12 Nov 2026

General information, not legal advice.

Key facts

Each value links to its source and the date we checked it.

FactValueSource · as of
Building permit, Lagos StateLASPPPA planning permit before any development; plans by registered professionalsSources · as of 12 Nov 2026NG-S13 About Planning PermitLagos State e-Planning Permit, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources

What permits and checks do you need to build in Nigeria from abroad?

In Lagos State, you need a planning permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) before any form of development, and the plans must be prepared by the appropriate registered professionals, according to the Lagos e-Planning Permit service. For building approval in the FCT (Abuja), check with an expert; we have not yet confirmed the requirements and fees from an official source. Sources · as of 12 Nov 2026NG-S13 About Planning PermitLagos State e-Planning Permit, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S17 Registration verificationCouncil for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S16 Surveyors Information Management System: Public Surveyor Verification SystemSurveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S5 Revocation of land (public notice)Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX)Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources

Check the professionals before you hire them in Nigeria. COREN, the engineering regulator, lets anyone confirm an engineer's or engineering firm's registration online with the COREN number, and SURCON does the same for surveyors and survey companies.

In the FCT, an empty plot carries its own risk: the FCT Minister has revoked plots for non-development under section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, for breaching the development terms of the right of occupancy.

We have not found an official or professional-body figure for what it costs to build a house in Nigeria, so we don't publish one; ask a quantity surveyor to price your own plans. Release money to a contractor in stages, after an independent engineer has checked each stage. More on building and developing from abroad.

Questions

Do you need consent to sell land in Nigeria?
Yes, in the states. Under the Land Use Act, the holder of a statutory right of occupancy needs the state Governor's consent before selling, mortgaging, subleasing or otherwise transferring it, with narrow exceptions for some mortgages. In the FCT (Abuja), ask an expert which consent applies. SourcesNG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX)Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources
What happens if I buy land in Nigeria without consent?
Under section 26 of the Land Use Act, a transaction or document that tries to pass an interest in land other than as the Act provides is null and void. Make consent part of the deal, not an afterthought. SourcesNG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX)Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources
How do I check a surveyor or estate surveyor in Nigeria?
Use SURCON's public verification system for surveyors and survey companies, and ESVARBON's register for estate surveyors and valuers. Match the name and number on the register to the person you are dealing with. SourcesNG-S16 Surveyors Information Management System: Public Surveyor Verification SystemSurveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S18 Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (home)Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) · checked 12 Nov 2026NG-S19 Register of ESVsEstate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources
Do I need a permit to build in Lagos?
Yes. The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority requires a planning permit before any form of development, and the plans must be prepared by the appropriate registered professionals. SourcesNG-S13 About Planning PermitLagos State e-Planning Permit, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development · checked 12 Nov 2026All sources

Sources

Checked 12 Nov 2026.

  1. NG-S1 Land Use Act, Cap. L5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (text in FAOLEX) · Federal Republic of Nigeria (FAO FAOLEX legislation database copy) · checked 12 Nov 2026
  2. NG-S5 Revocation of land (public notice) · Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) · checked 12 Nov 2026
  3. NG-S13 About Planning Permit · Lagos State e-Planning Permit, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development · checked 12 Nov 2026
  4. NG-S16 Surveyors Information Management System: Public Surveyor Verification System · Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) · checked 12 Nov 2026
  5. NG-S17 Registration verification · Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) · checked 12 Nov 2026
  6. NG-S18 Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (home) · Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) · checked 12 Nov 2026
  7. NG-S19 Register of ESVs · Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) · checked 12 Nov 2026

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Building a house in Nigeria from abroad (2026)