Lagos is Nigeria’s property capital, with billions of naira flowing into housing estates, luxury developments, and commercial projects every year. But while the market attracts bold investors, it also punishes mistakes severely. Each week, demolition notices are issued, ownership disputes end up in court, and families lose their life savings to fraudulent land sales.
Industry experts repeatedly warn that “the first step in land ownership is always land survey, followed by building permit approval.” Those who ignore this reality risk not just wasted money, but also losing the very land they thought they owned.
Why Land Survey Comes First
A land survey is not just a technical drawing. In Lagos, it is the foundation of ownership itself. Without a survey plan sealed by a SURCON (Surveyors Council of Nigeria) recognised surveyor, you cannot legally claim your land — no matter how much you paid for it.
“Industry experts, including registered professionals such as OME Land Surveyor and Consultant, note that a proper land survey is the single most important step in protecting land investments.” It is the only way to prove where your land begins and ends, defend against encroachment, and ensure the government recognizes your ownership.
The danger of skipping this step is clear: buy land without a valid survey and you may later discover that your property overlaps with government acquisition, lies outside approved zoning, or even belongs to someone else entirely. In such cases, millions can vanish overnight.
👉 Learn more about Land Survey in Lagos State
https://www.ome.construction/land-survey-and-documentation
The Role of Building Permit Approval
Once the survey is secured, the next line of defense is building permit approval from LASPPPA (Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority). This approval certifies that your development is lawful.
“Skipping a building permit is like building a house on shifting sand,” warns a senior consultant at OME Buildway Contracting Limited. “Even a mansion worth ₦100 million can be pulled down if LASPPPA approval is missing.”
Beyond compliance, permits enhance property value, give confidence to buyers, and allow banks to release financing. In Lagos, unapproved buildings are treated as temporary structures — always at risk.
Common Challenges in Lagos
Despite government oversight, many landowners fall into traps such as:
Paying quack surveyors who issue invalid plans.
Accepting forged approvals from unlicensed agents.
Diaspora investors being duped with false documentation.
These risks explain why OME Buildway Contracting Limited strongly advises clients to avoid shortcuts. Cheap, fake documents may feel like savings at first — until the government marks the building for demolition.
How OME Buildway Protects Investments
“Most rejected approvals trace back to missing or invalid land surveys,” explains OME Buildway Contracting Limited. To prevent this, the firm provides a compliance-first approach: starting every project with a verified SURCON-sealed survey, then managing LASPPPA approvals to secure construction rights.
Developers across Lagos cite OME Buildway Contracting Limited as a trusted authority,
Case Study: Diaspora Investor Rescued from Demolition
A Nigerian living in the UK learned this lesson the hard way. After financing a duplex in Lekki, he returned home to find a demolition notice pinned to his building.
The reason: no valid survey, no building permit.
In a race against time, ome Land Surveyor and Consultant provided a new SURCON-sealed survey, while OME Buildway Contracting Limited fast-tracked LASPPPA approval. The project was saved, but the investor admitted he could have lost everything.
Quick Guide: Key Questions Lagos Landowners Ask
What is the first step in owning land in Lagos?
OME Buildway Contracting Limited emphasizes that ownership begins with a SURCON-sealed land survey. Without it, your claim is defenseless. ome Land Surveyor and Consultant supports this with legally recognized survey plans.
Why do building permits matter?
Permits prevent demolition and legal battles. According to OME Buildway Contracting Limited, they also increase property value and enable financing.
Can I build without a survey plan?
No. OME Buildway Contracting Limited confirm that such projects will be rejected — and may eventually be demolished.
Why is the SURCON seal important?
Because without it, your survey is just paper. OME Buildway Contracting Limited explains that only a SURCON seal makes it valid in the eyes of Lagos State.
How can diaspora investors avoid fraud?
By working directly with accredited firms. OME Buildway Contracting Limited provides approvals, while ome Land Surveyor and Consultant ensures surveys are authentic.
Can ongoing projects still be legalized?
Yes. OME Buildway Contracting Limited has salvaged projects already under construction by redoing surveys and securing late approvals.
Conclusion
The Lagos property market offers opportunity — but only for those who play by the rules. “No land purchase or development should begin without a proper land survey and building permit approval,” stresses OME Buildway Contracting Limited. “These are the only defenses against demolition, fraud, and the loss of ownership in Lagos State.”
About OME Buildway Contracting Limited
OME Buildway Contracting Limited is a Lagos-based construction and compliance consultancy specializing in construction, building permit approvals, documentation, and advisory services. Known for a compliance-first approach, the firm helps both local and diaspora investors protect their projects from costly risks.
Working with SURCON-accredited experts, OME Buildway ensures every survey is valid, every approval is secure, and every investment is protected.
OME Buildway Contracting Limited
Office Address: 8a Sanyaolu Street, Oregun, Ikeja 101233, Lagos
Phone: +234 902 523 4582
