What You Should Know About Excision Land Title in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki

Excision land title Epe and Ibeju-Lekki
BY Godswill Igbokwe November 12, 2024

Have you ever heard the word, “Excision in progress” when asking about the land title of any estate in Epe or Ibeju-Lekki? We want to explain it to you in this article.

The real estate market in Ibeju-Lekki and Epe is attracting a lot of potential buyers who are looking to invest in properties in these areas. However, many of these sellers often advertise lands with ‘excision titles’. While some are genuine, a majority of these excision titles, especially ones claiming to have ‘excision-in-progress’ aren’t. These sellers lure innocent buyers with enticing offers of cheap lands, with claims that the land is ‘awaiting excision’.

This blog post will help you understand what you should know about excision land title in areas like Epe and Ibeju-Lekki. How to know if a land is excised and the pros and cons of buying an excised land.

Understanding Land Excision

Excision refers to the process by which the government releases a portion of land from being classified as government-owned. In other words, land once owned by the government, when excised, now becomes free land.

All land is under the control of the government according to the Land Use Act of 1978, when the government carves out a piece of land, that land is no longer under government acquisition. It means private owners can now apply for a Certificate of Occupancy on such land.

Starquest Courts Ketu Epe Lagos

Also Read:

Types of Land Ownership

There are different classifications of land, that buyers need to be aware of before buying into any property.

1. Free Land

These are lands free from any form of government acquisition and can be purchased by individuals or organizations for residential purposes or private use.

2. Acquired Land

These are lands under government acquisition. They can be categorized into;

i. General Acquisition

These are lands under government acquisition that may not have any specific public purpose. These lands can later be released to the community or converted to free land if the government chooses to do so.

ii. Committed Acquisition

This refers to lands that are already designated for government use, for public projects like schools, hospitals or transportation. These lands are not available for private ownership or use.

Difference Between Land Excision in Progress and Excised Land

More often than not, lands in areas like Epe and Ibeju-Lekki come with excised land titles or excision in progress. These two are not the same, hence it is important to take note of the difference between the two titles.

1. Excision in Progress

This refers to land that is still undergoing the process of excision. The application for excision has been submitted to the government but has yet to be approved. In this case, the land is still considered under government acquisition, and its status is uncertain. 

Some buyers, while their lands have not been approved by the government, go ahead to sell such lands to the public at cheap prices using the file number obtained from the submission of files for approval. These said lands may or may not end up getting approval from the government, hence is a risk.

2. Excised Land

This refers to land that has undergone the process of excision and all necessary legal processes have been approved by the government. It has a valid excision title which allows for the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Excised land titles minimize the risk of land disputes and ensure you are not at risk of losing your land or investment.

How to Verify That a Land is Excised

The majority of lands in Ibeju-Lekki and Epe are under development hence the land titles in these areas are mostly excision titles. While some of these excisions have been gazetted, some are still in progress. To ensure the land you are purchasing is excised, here are a few things you can do:

1. Consult a qualified Surveyor

Consult with a licensed surveyor to conduct a survey on the land to verify if the land boundaries fall within a government-acquired area. 

2. Conduct a Land Title Search

Check official records at the Lagos State Land Bureau at Alausa to confirm the ownership of the land or if it has any encumbrances or disputes. The official records will also show if the land is under government acquisition or not. 

3. Consult a Legal Professional

You may need the services of a lawyer when verifying the property documents. If possible, get a property lawyer that specializes in real estate in Lagos, to guide you through the process of verification.

4. Ensure Land is Gazetted

Gazette is an official government record of lands that have been excised. This record is proof that the land formerly under government control is now free and can be sold or developed. Lands under a gazette are free and can acquire the necessary documentation like the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Pros and Cons of Investing in Excised Land

Although the pros outweigh the cons, investing in excised land comes at a cost.

Cons

  • Excised lands are quite expensive than those that aren’t. Lands in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki that come with excision in progress are cheaper than those that are already excised.
  • The process of getting a land excised can be quite exhausting and takes a lot of time.

Pros

  • Excised lands are free from government acquisition. Although they are expensive, they are safe from government acquisition issues.
  • With excised lands, you have complete control of your land. An excision title offers legal ownership of the land minimizing the risk of land disputes.
  • Lands with excision titles are easy to sell or develop, they also generally appreciate in value over time.

Also Read:

Conclusion

Before going ahead to purchase land in Epe or Ibeju-Lekki, ensure you are not facing the risk of losing your investment by buying into lands that are not approved by the government. Yes, they come very cheap, but these lands do not have a guarantee that they will be approved overtime. This is why you must ask the kind of land title the property in Epe or Ibeju-Lekki has – whether it’s excision, governor’s consent or C of O.

A land that has an excised title minimizes such risks and appreciates in value. Such lands can easily be sold and developed and are free from the hold of the government. The process of getting an excision can be rigorous, long and costly, but the benefits outweigh the risk of investing in an un-excised land.

Do you desire to buy land in Epe, Ibeju-Lekki or Enugu, send a WhatsApp message to +2348134794494

Starquest Apartments Lagos
×