If you just got a property and are wondering what exactly a “registered deed of assignment in Nigeria” is, and its importance. In this article, I will explain all you need to know about registered deeds of assignment in Nigeria.

At the end, you will understand how this document protects your land investment and makes it legally valid.

But before we begin, what is a deed of assignment? Deed of assignment is a legal document used to transfer ownership of property from one person to another. When the deed gets registered with government authorities, it becomes a registered deed of assignment with full legal protection.

Many property buyers in Nigeria don’t understand the difference between an ordinary deed of assignment and a registered one. This lack of knowledge often leads to problems when trying to prove ownership or sell property later.

Understanding Registered Deed of Assignment in Nigeria

1. What Makes It Different from Regular Deeds

A regular deed of assignment is just a signed agreement between the buyer and the seller. A registered deed of assignment in Nigeria is the same document that has been filed and approved by government land registries.

To register your deed of assignment in Nigeria, you need to:

  • File the document with the appropriate land registry
  • Pay required government fees and taxes
  • Get official stamps and seals from government offices

This registration process transforms a privately signed deed of assignment into an official government record that can be verified by anyone.

2. Legal Protection Benefits of a Registered Deed of Assignment

When you register your deed of assignment in Nigeria, you get several important protections:

  • Official proof of ownership that court recognizes
  • Protection against fake claims by other people
  • Ability to use the property as loan security
  • Right to sell or transfer the property legally
  • Evidence that all taxes and fees were paid properly

These protections are not available with unregistered deeds, no matter how well they’re written.

Essential Elements of a Deed of Assignment in Nigeria

1. Proper Party Identification

The deed of assignment must clearly identify both the person selling (assignor) and the person buying (assignee) the property. This includes:

  • Full legal names as shown on government ID cards
  • Complete addresses of both parties
  • Signatures of both parties with witnesses present

Any mistakes in party identification can make the registration invalid and cause problems later.

2. Detailed Property Description

A valid deed of assignment must include the complete property details:

  • Exact location with street address or land coordinates
  • Property size and dimensions
  • Boundaries and neighboring properties (where possible)
  • Survey plan references and numbers
  • Land use type (residential, commercial, or agricultural)

The property description must match exactly with survey plans and other official documents.

3. Financial Terms and Conditions

The document must clearly state all financial aspects of the transaction:

  • Total purchase price agreed by both parties
  • Payment schedule and methods used
  • Any additional costs or fees involved
  • Who pays for registration and other expenses

Clear financial terms prevent disputes about money and help tax authorities assess proper fees.

4. Legal Requirements Compliance

For proper registration, the deed must meet all legal requirements:

  • Proper legal language and format
  • Compliance with Land Use Act provisions
  • Inclusion of all required clauses and conditions
  • Proper witnessing and notarization

Work with qualified property lawyers to ensure your deed of assignment meets legal standards for registration.

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How to Register a Deed of Assignment in Nigeria

1. Prepare All Documents

Start by preparing a proper deed of assignment with the help of a qualified property lawyer. The document must be:

  • Written in clear, legal language
  • Include all required information and clauses
  • Properly formatted according to legal standards
  • Ready for signatures and witnessing

Don’t try to prepare a deed of assignment yourself. Legal mistakes can make registration impossible or create a problem for you later.

2. Signing and Witnessing

Both parties (seller and buyer) must sign the deed in the presence of qualified witnesses. Nigerian law requires:

  • At least two adult witnesses
  • Witnesses must provide their full names and addresses
  • All signatures must be genuine and voluntary

Keep multiple copies of the signed deed of assignment for your records and the registration process.

3. Pay Required Taxes and Fees

Before registration, you must pay government tax and fees:

  • Stamp duty on the deed (usually 1.5% of property value at the time of this writing)
  • Registration fees at the Land Registry
  • Survey verification fees
  • Legal documentation fees

Get official receipts for all payments as you’ll need these during registration.

4. Submit to Land Registry

Take your completed documents to the appropriate Land Registry in the state where the property is located. Submit:

  • Original signed deed of assignment
  • Copies of all parties’ identification documents
  • Property survey plans and other supporting papers
  • Payment receipts for all taxes and fees
  • Application forms completed properly

5. Wait for Processing

Registration processing time varies by state. Processing depends on document completeness and current registry workload.

6. Collect Registered Document

Once the registration processing is complete, collect your registered deed of assignment in Nigeria from the Land Registry. This document will have:

  • Official registration stamps and seals
  • Registration number and date
  • Registry signatures and verification
  • Government database reference numbers

Keep this registered document in a safe place as it’s your official proof of property ownership.

Why Do You Need to Register Your Deed of Assignment in Nigeria?

1. Legal Validity

Only registered deed of assignment documents have full legal validity in Nigerian courts. If disputes arise, courts will always favor registered documents over unregistered ones.

2. Property Development

Banks and other financial institutions require registered deeds before approving loans for property development. Insurance companies also prefer registered documents for property coverage.

3. Future Sales

When you want to sell your property later, buyers who know the difference between both will demand to see a registered deed of assignment. Properties with unregistered deeds are much harder to sell and often fetch lower prices.

Conclusion

Understand that a registered deed of assignment is crucial for protecting your property investment and ensuring legal ownership rights in Nigeria. While the registration process requires time and money, it provides essential protection that unregistered documents cannot offer.

Never make the mistake of thinking a deed of assignment is enough. Only registered deeds of assignment provide the legal security and recognition you need for safe property ownership in Nigeria.

Start the registration process as soon as possible after buying property. The sooner you complete registration, the sooner you’ll have full legal protection for your valuable investment.

Have you been wanting to buy land or a house in Ibadan, Epe, Ajah, Lekki, Ibeju-Lekki or anywhere in Nigeria? Reach out to us on +234 806 400 3456 or send an email to support@godslandempire.com. We are ever ready to assist you on your property ownership journey in Nigeria.