Buying property in the Federal Capital Territory comes with its own vocabulary. Agents, lawyers and developers use these terms every day, and knowing what they mean makes every conversation, contract and site inspection easier to follow.
This glossary explains the words you are most likely to hear when buying land or a home in Abuja, in plain English and in alphabetical order.
A to D
AGIS (Abuja Geographic Information Systems): The agency that keeps the official land records for the FCT. A search at AGIS, using a property’s file number, is how you confirm who holds a title and whether it is genuine.
Allocation Letter: A letter issued when land is granted to an individual or company. In the FCT, an FCDA allocation is generally stronger than an older Area Council allocation.
Area Council land: Land allocated by one of the FCT’s six Area Councils rather than by the FCDA. Many of these titles need regularisation before they are fully secure.
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O): The document that confirms a statutory right to occupy and use a piece of land, usually for 99 years. It is the title most buyers aim to hold.
Contract of Sale: The agreement between buyer and seller that sets out the price, payment terms and conditions of the sale.
Deed of Assignment: The legal document that transfers the seller’s interest in a property to the buyer. It should be signed, stamped and registered.
Density: The planning category of a district (high, medium or low density). It affects plot sizes and the type of building you can put up.
E to L
Encumbrance: Any claim, charge or dispute attached to a property, such as a mortgage, a court case or unpaid ground rent. A clean title has no encumbrances.
Estate layout: The approved plan of an estate, showing plots, roads, green areas and services. Ask to see it, and check that it has been approved.
FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority): The authority responsible for planning and developing the FCT according to the Abuja master plan.
Ground rent: An annual charge paid to the government by the holder of a land title. Unpaid ground rent can be passed on to a new owner, so confirm it is up to date.
Infrastructure-ready plot: A plot where roads, drainage, power and other services have already been brought to the plot boundary, so you can start building straight away.
Invest and Build: A model where you buy a serviced plot in a planned estate and build your own home on it, to the estate’s design guidelines.
M to R
Master plan: The long-term plan for how Abuja grows, including districts, highways and green zones. Land that conflicts with it can be at risk of revocation.
Off-plan: Buying a home before it is built, usually from plans and renders, often with a staged payment plan.
Payment plan: An agreement that lets you spread the price of a property over an agreed period, after an initial deposit.
Power of Attorney: A document that authorises the buyer to act on the land on the seller’s behalf. An irrevocable power of attorney cannot be withdrawn by the seller.
Regularisation: The process of bringing an older or imperfect title, such as an Area Council allocation, in line with FCDA records.
Revocation: When the government withdraws a right of occupancy, for example for public use or a breach of the title’s conditions.
Right of Occupancy (R of O): An earlier-stage grant of the right to use land, often issued before a full Certificate of Occupancy.
S to Z
Serviced plot: Another name for an infrastructure-ready plot.
Site inspection: A visit to the land or estate before you buy, to see the location, access roads and infrastructure for yourself.
Survey plan: A registered drawing that shows the exact boundaries, size in square metres and coordinates of a plot.
Title search: The checks you or your lawyer carry out at the land registry to confirm ownership and spot any encumbrances.
Zoning: The approved use for a piece of land, such as residential, commercial or mixed use.
Have a term we haven’t covered, or want to talk through a document you’ve been given? Our investment advisors are happy to explain it. Call +234 704-800-1075 or email [email protected].
