Building a house or commercial property in Lagos requires more than purchasing land and obtaining a survey plan. Before commencing construction, a property owner must establish that the land is lawfully held, that the proposed development is permitted and that the property is not affected by a government acquisition or restriction that prevents the intended use. Unfortunately, some buyers discover that their land is under government acquisition only after paying for the property, obtaining building materials or commencing construction. Others are told by sellers or estate agents that the land is under “uncommitted acquisition” but that they can build because the government has not started any project there. This raises an important question: Can you legally build on land under government acquisition in Lagos? The general answer is that you should not commence construction on land subject to a valid government acquisition unless you have established a lawful right to occupy and develop that specific parcel and obtained the necessary approvals. The fact that the land is vacant, that other people have built nearby or that the government has not commenced its proposed project does not automatically authorise construction. This article explains the legal risks of building on acquired land, the difference between committed and uncommitted acquisition, whether building approval protects a developer, when demolition can occur and the remedies available to affected property owners. What Does It Mean for Land to Be Under Government Acquisition? Government acquisition involves the exercise of statutory powers to acquire land or affect existing rights in land for purposes recognised by law. Under the Land Use Act, rights of occupancy are subject to the statutory framework governing land administration and revocation. Section 28 of the Act provides for revocation of rights of occupancy on specified grounds, including overriding public interest. However, the legal effect of a particular acquisition depends on whether the government has complied with the applicable law. A valid acquisition can affect the interests previously held by individuals, families or communities. Consequently, a person who purchases land from a private seller after the seller’s interest has been lawfully extinguished may discover that the seller had no transferable interest. In such circumstances, construction on the property can expose the buyer to substantial financial loss. Can You Build on Land Under Government Acquisition? Not merely because you purchased the land or received permission from the seller. Where the land has been validly acquired and the seller no longer holds a transferable interest, a private sale does not ordinarily confer a lawful right to develop the property. However, not every parcel described as government-acquired land is in the same legal position. For example, the government may subsequently make a lawful allocation or release a defined area from acquisition. A person holding a valid interest under such an arrangement may be entitled to develop the land, subject to the conditions of the grant and applicable planning approvals. The critical questions are: Was the land validly acquired? Does the specific plot fall within the acquisition? Has the land been lawfully released or allocated? Does the proposed developer hold a valid interest? Is the proposed use permitted? Have the necessary planning and building approvals been obtained? Without satisfactory answers, commencing construction is legally and financially risky. Can You Build on Land Under Committed Government Acquisition? Land described as being under committed acquisition is generally land acquired and designated for a government project or purpose. Examples include: Road construction and expansion. Public schools. Hospitals. Drainage infrastructure. Government offices. Public utilities. Other public facilities. Where the acquisition is valid and the land remains committed to a public purpose, a private purchaser should not assume that construction is permissible. For example, a parcel reserved for a future road may remain undeveloped for many years. The absence of road construction does not automatically terminate the government’s rights or make the land available for private development. A person who builds on such land without lawful authority risks enforcement action and possible demolition. Can You Build on Land Under Uncommitted Government Acquisition? The expression “uncommitted acquisition” is frequently misunderstood in Lagos property transactions. It is commonly used to describe acquired land that has not been designated for a specific government project or commitment. However, uncommitted acquisition does not mean the land is free from acquisition. The government may still hold the relevant acquired interest. A seller’s assurance that the land is uncommitted does not establish that the buyer can lawfully develop it. Similarly, the existence of neighbouring buildings does not prove that the government has released the property. Before building, obtain reliable confirmation of the property’s current legal status and the authority under which development is proposed. What If the Government Has Not Started Any Project on the Land? The fact that the government has not commenced development does not, by itself, invalidate an otherwise lawful acquisition. A parcel may remain unused because a project has been delayed, redesigned or scheduled for future implementation. However, where a landowner disputes the legality of an acquisition, the relevant notices, statutory requirements, purpose and surrounding circumstances should be examined. A challenge must be based on legally sustainable grounds. A property owner should not assume that government inactivity automatically restores an extinguished interest. Can You Build on Land With Excision in Process? A claim that excision is in process does not establish that the land has already been released. An application for excision may remain pending, be approved subject to conditions or be refused. A buyer should distinguish between: An application for excision. A preliminary approval. A final legally effective release. Publication or documentation of the release. The seller’s separate title to the plot. Construction should not be based solely on a seller’s prediction that the government will eventually approve an excision. If the land remains under a valid acquisition, the proposed future release does not automatically authorise present development. Can You Build on Gazetted Land? Land covered by a gazetted excision may be available for lawful private development, subject to the applicable title and planning requirements.