If you want to buy land in Nigeria, especially in fast developing areas, there is one word you must understand clearly and that is Excision. Many people hear about land excision when they are about to buy land, but they do not really understand what it means or why it matters.
Land excision is one of the most important things to check before buying land in Nigeria. If you buy land that has not been exercised, you may lose it to the government one day. You may even build a house and find out that the land belongs to the government, not the person who sold it to you.
That’s why understanding the process of land excision, what it is, how it works, and why it’s important can save you from trouble and help you make smart decisions. In this blog post, you’ll get to understand what excision means even if you’re not a land expert.
Table of Contents
1. What is Land Excision in Nigeria?
2. Why the Government Owns All Land in Nigeria
3. The Meaning of Excision and How It Works
4. The Full Process of Land Excision in Nigeria
5. Why Excision Is Very Important Before You Buy Land
6. How to Check If a Land Has Been Excised
7. What Happens If You Buy Land Without Excision?
8. Difference Between Excision and Gazette
9. How Real Estate Companies Use Excision in Their Sales
10. Don’t Ignore Excision
The Process of Land Excision and Its Importance
1. What is Land Excision in Nigeria?
Land excision simply means that the government releases a portion of land to the original landowners. Before independence and even now, many lands in Nigeria belong to families or communities. But in 1978, the Land Use Act gave the government power to own all land. This means that no land can truly belong to individuals unless the government allows it.
Now, because of this law, many traditional landowners lost control of their lands. To solve this, the government created a system called excision. Through excision, the government officially gives back some parts of the land to the original families or communities. Once excised, the land becomes legally theirs to sell, develop, or use.
If you are buying land from a family or a real estate company, excision is your assurance that the land is no longer under government control.
2. Why the Government Owns All Land in Nigeria
To fully understand excision, we need to look at the Land Use Act of 1978. This law changed everything about land ownership in Nigeria. It says that all lands in a state now belong to the governor of that state. This was done to help the government control land use and ensure development is well planned.
Because of this law, every land is under government control unless officially released. So, even if a family claims that their ancestors owned the land for 100 years, they still need government approval before they can sell it legally.
The law was meant to protect the public and make sure people don’t just sell land anyhow.
But it also created confusion because many people didn’t understand it, and families still continued to sell lands without excision.
3. The Meaning of Excision and How It Works
Excision is like a permission slip from the government. It means the government has looked at the land and officially said, “Yes, this portion now belongs to this family or community.” It’s like the government is cutting out (excising) a small part from their land reserve and giving it back to the rightful owners.
Once the land is excised, the family or community now has full rights to it. They can sell it, lease it, or use it for development. The excised land is also entered into a document called a gazette, you’ll get to understand what the gazette entails as we continue.
Without excision, any land still belongs to the government. Even if you pay for it and start building, the government can come one day and reclaim it, especially if it is part of a planned road, school, or public project.
4. The Full Process of Land Excision in Nigeria
The process of excision is not quick or easy. It involves many steps and must follow official rules. Here’s how it generally works:
First, the family or community that owns the land must write a formal application to the state government. This letter usually goes to the Ministry of Lands, asking for excision of their ancestral land.
Then, the government will check the land through their team of surveyors and land officers. They will look at things like the location, size, environmental impact, and whether it is needed for public projects.
After that, the government may request documents to show proof that the land belongs to the community like history, past ownership, and traditional authority.
If everything is approved, the land is surveyed officially and mapped. Then it is documented in a public record called a gazette.
Finally, the land is excised, and now the family or community owns it legally. They can even apply for further documents like Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) later.
This process can take months or even years, depending on the state and how fast things move.
5. Why Excision Is Very Important Before You Buy Land
Now that you know what excision means, you can see why it’s very important to check before buying any land. If the land you are buying has not been excised, you are taking a big risk.
Let’s say you buy land in a place like Ibeju-Lekki or Epe, and it has no excise. You build a house or factory, and years later, the government comes and says that land is for a future road or airport. They will demolish everything, and you will not get compensation.
But if the land has been excised, you are totally safe. The government has already agreed that the land belongs to the family or developer, so you can go ahead and buy it with confidence.
This is why excision is often one of the first things a smart buyer checks. It protects your money, your peace of mind, and your future plans.
6. How to Check If a Land Has Been Excised
Checking if a land is excised is not difficult, but it must be done properly. The first step is to ask the seller if the land is excised. Don’t just take their word for it. Ask for documents like the survey plan, gazette, or excision approval.
Then, go to the state’s land registry or Ministry of Lands and ask for a land search. This will confirm whether the land is under acquisition or has been excised.
You can also hire a professional surveyor or property lawyer to help you verify. They know how to check the coordinates and match them with the excision map.
Sometimes, a land may be “in process of excision.” This means the family or company has applied but is still waiting for approval. In this case, it is better to wait until excision is complete before you buy.
7. What Happens If You Buy Land Without Excision?
Buying land without excision is like buying something that does not belong to the seller. It may seem cheap and attractive, but you could lose everything in the future.
If the land is under government acquisition and you build on it, the government can take it back without paying you. They can demolish buildings or block access to the land.
You could also be dragged into legal battles with the family or community if someone else claims the land. Some people even sell land to multiple buyers because there is no official record.
In short, it is not worth the risk. Many people who rushed into buying land without excision have faced heartbreak, lost millions, and ended up in court.
8. Difference Between Excision and Gazette
Some people confuse excision with gazette, but they are different. Excision is the approval that releases land from government control. Gazette is the document that records this approval.
A gazette is like an official newspaper where the government publishes important land decisions. If a land is excised, it will be written in the gazette with details like location, size, and the community that owns it.
So, if someone says the land is excised, ask to see the gazette. If it is not in the gazette, it may not be truly excised yet.
Having land in the gazette is strong proof that the land has been released and can be sold or developed legally.
9. How Real Estate Companies Use Excision in Their Sales
Many real estate companies in Nigeria operate on excised lands. This gives them the legal power to develop estates and sell plots to individuals. But not all of them are honest.
Some companies advertise lands as “excision in process” or “awaiting gazette.” These types of lands are risky because the excision is not complete yet. Until it is approved and gazetted, the land is still under government control.
As a buyer, be careful. Ask the company to show proof of excision. Don’t fall for sweet talk or flashy advertisements. A good company will show you the gazette or official excision letter.
Also, work with your own lawyer or surveyor to double-check everything. Real estate investment is good, but only when done the right way.
10. Don’t Ignore Excision
Understanding land excision may seem technical at first, but it is one of the most important things in Nigerian real estate. It is what separates a safe land from a risky one.
Before you buy land, always ask if the land is excised? Check the documents. Visit the land registry. Hire a professional to help you. Don’t let anyone rush you into paying without proper checks.
Excision protects you from loss. It gives you peace of mind. It makes your investment safe and your future secure. Whether you are buying for yourself, your children, or for business, you have to take this step seriously.
I hope you’ve got to fully understand what excision means.