7 Mistakes Nigerians in the Diaspora Make When Buying Property for Return Migration
Nigerians In Diaspora
For many Nigerians in the diaspora, the idea of “coming home” isn’t just a dream, it is a deep longing. A return to family. To roots. To the place that still feels like home, even after years abroad.
You imagine it:
A quiet compound tucked away from the bustle, where the air smells like rain-soaked red earth. A house with your name on the gate. Mango trees in the back. Morning tea with cousins you haven’t seen in years. You build this vision slowly in your mind, and then in your bank account.
For some, the return is for retirement. For others, it is about building a legacy. Or simply having a home to call yours when you visit for Christmas or Easter. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: real estate becomes the anchor of that dream.
But here is the hard truth many overlook:
Returning home can feel like a homecoming or a heartbreak, depending on how well you plan your property decisions.
In our work at Nigeria Housing Market, we have seen it all stories of triumphant returns into beautifully completed homes… and stories of diasporans who came back to find the house they paid for was never built. Or that the land they “bought” was sold twice. Or worse: the family member they trusted had mismanaged everything.
The dream is valid. But to make it real, you need more than hope you need information, strategy, and caution.
So before you invest your hard-earned money into land, houses, or development projects in Nigeria, here are 7 common mistakes Nigerians abroad make when buying property for return migration and how you can avoid them.
Not Conducting Proper Research
Many Nigerians in the diaspora make the mistake of buying properties in Nigeria based on emotion and urgency, rather than evidence and research.
Some rely solely on family recommendations or viral ads they see online without:
Verifying the location
Researching the developer’s credibility
Understanding the legal status of the land
Before sending money, demand full property documentation, visit the site (or send a trusted third party), and verify the developer or agent’s track record.
Buying Through Unverified Middlemen
We get it you are miles away, and someone offers to “help” handle the purchase.
But too many buyers fall for fraudulent or inexperienced middlemen family members, friends, even unlicensed agents who make critical errors or outright scam them.
Instead:
Use only licensed real estate professionals
Ask for CAC registration numbers
Insist on receipts, contracts, and a paper trail
Ignoring Legal Documentation
The most dangerous assumption? That a payment receipt equals ownership.
In Nigeria, the absence of legal documentation like:
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
Registered Deed of Assignment
Survey plan
…means your property can be contested, repossessed, or revoked especially if the land is under government acquisition or communal dispute. Always involve a real estate lawyer for documentation.
Rushing Without Site Inspection
Some diasporans get excited by offers that say: “Plots available for ₦800,000 in a fast-developing estate.”
But when they or someone they trust finally visits the site, it turns out to be:
Inaccessible
Waterlogged
Already owned by someone else
If you can’t travel to inspect it yourself, hire a property verification service. Many Nigerian real estate fraud cases could be avoided with one site visit.
Falling for Promo-Laced Scams
“Buy 1 plot, get 1 free.” “50% discount for diasporans!” “Estate land in Ajah for ₦1 million!”
Scammers know how to market fake estates with beautiful flyers and false urgency. But price and aesthetics are not proof of legitimacy.
Never buy land simply because it’s cheap or trending. Focus on title security, location, and resale potential.
Not Planning for Property Management or Use
You have bought the land. Great. But what happens next?
A big mistake is buying without a clear plan:
Who will build or maintain it?
Will you rent it out before returning?
Who ensures it’s not encroached upon?
Too many diasporans return years later to find their land overtaken, resold, or undeveloped. Hire a property management firm or legal trustee to oversee and protect your investment.
Underestimating Cultural and Communal Dynamics
In some parts of Nigeria, land disputes are more about family history and culture than paperwork.
You may legally buy land, only to face:
Omonile harassment
Family disputes over ancestral land
Traditional land rites that were never completed
If you are buying family land or rural property, ensure community consensus and involve a lawyer who understands local customs.
Come Home Prepared
Buying property for return migration is one of the most personal investments you will ever make.
You are not just buying land, you are trying to rebuild your connection to home. But that connection must be built on solid ground legally, financially, and emotionally.
Avoiding these mistakes could be the difference between returning to peace or returning to problems.
Want more help?
We have created a practical guide on How to Spot and Avoid Real Estate Scams in 2025 to help you navigate Nigeria’s evolving property space safely and smartly.
