How stamp duty on property documents works
Stamp duty is charged on instruments: written documents that create or transfer rights, such as a deed of assignment, a lease, a mortgage or a deed of gift. Once the duty is paid, the document is marked as stamped. An unstamped instrument is, as a rule, not admissible in evidence until the duty and any penalty are paid.
What changed in 2026. The Stamp Duties Act of 1939 was repealed by the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on 1 January 2026. Stamp duty now sits inside the new tax law, and the companion Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 gives the federal tax authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the job of administering and collecting stamp duties, with states receiving their share.
Rates. Reputable sources do not yet agree on how the new rates apply to property documents, or on how Lagos's long-standing stamp duty line in its consent bill fits the new regime. See the Sources differ box, and check the current position with a tax adviser or the Nigeria Revenue Service before you budget.
Where it fits in a purchase. In Lagos, stamping comes after Governor's Consent and before registration. The three steps together, with charting and the consent charges, are often called title perfection.
The bank transfer levy is different. Many people search "stamp duty" because of the small flat stamp duty the sender now pays on electronic transfers, which replaced the old electronic money transfer levy in 2026. That is a separate charge from stamp duty on property deeds.
Differences by state
- Lagos: stamp duty has been collected as part of the Lands Bureau's consent bill alongside consent, registration and capital gains lines.
- Abuja (FCT) and other states: documents are stamped as part of consent and registration through the land registry.
- Nationwide from 2026: administration sits with the Nigeria Revenue Service under the 2025 tax laws.
What to check
- Which documents in your deal need stamping: deed of assignment, mortgage, lease, power of attorney.
- The current rate and any thresholds, confirmed with a tax adviser.
- That the stamp on your deed is genuine and recorded.
- That stamping happens promptly after signing to avoid penalties.
Red flags
- An agent quoting a flat stamp duty sum without reference to the document's value.
- Stamps that cannot be verified with the tax authority.
- Advice that relies on the repealed 1939 Act.
Sources differ
SOURCE 1
An analysis of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 reads its Ninth Schedule as charging a transfer of land and buildings ad valorem duty at 1.5%, while noting the wording is ambiguous.
May 2026
SOURCE 2
Lagos's land transaction charges, as set by the 2015 executive order, include a stamp duty line of 0.5% of the assessed value.
2015
SOURCE 3
A law journal argues that giving the federal authority sole power to collect all stamp duties sits uneasily with states' constitutional role.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of Private and Public Law
2025
Stamp duty vs Capital gains tax
| Aspect | Stamp duty | Capital gains tax |
|---|---|---|
| Charged on | The document | The seller's profit |
| Usually paid by | Depends on the deal and the document | The seller |
| Changed on 1 January 2026 | Yes, moved into the Nigeria Tax Act | Yes, moved into the Nigeria Tax Act |
| When it arises | On signing the instrument | On disposal of the property |
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Questions
What is stamp duty on property in Nigeria?
It is a tax on property documents such as deeds of assignment, leases and mortgages. Paying it gets the document stamped so it can be relied on.
What is the stamp duty rate in Nigeria in 2026?
Sources differ on how the Nigeria Tax Act's rates apply to property deeds; see the Sources differ box and confirm with a tax adviser.
Is the Stamp Duties Act still in force?
No. It was repealed by the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 from 1 January 2026.
Who collects stamp duty now?
Under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service administers stamp duties, with states receiving their share.
Is stamp duty on land the same as the bank transfer charge?
No. The flat duty on electronic receipts is a separate charge from stamp duty on property documents.
Related terms
Sources
- 1. Stamp Duties Act 1939 (repeal status) Judy Legal · checked 13 October 2026
- 2. Overview of the notable changes introduced by the new Nigeria Tax Acts 2025 Aluko & Oyebode · checked 13 October 2026
- 3. Stamp duties under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of Private and Public Law · checked 13 October 2026
- 4. Stamp duty under the Nigeria Tax Act: analysis BusinessDay · checked 13 October 2026
- 5. Nigeria: real estate legislation DLA Piper Real World · checked 13 October 2026
- 6. Fashola slashes rates on Lagos land transactions to woo investors BusinessDay · checked 13 October 2026
- 7. Land transaction fees reduced Estate Intel · checked 13 October 2026
- 8. Tax laws: banks shift stamp duty costs on electronic transfers to senders Leadership · checked 13 October 2026
Cite this definition
"Stamp duty", Nigeria Property Centre Property Glossary, last checked 13 October 2026, https://nigeriapropertycentre.com/glossary/stamp-duty
You may reuse this definition under CC BY 4.0 with credit to Nigeria Property Centre and a link to this page.
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