The Car You Bought Isn't Yours: The Transfer of Ownership Trap

You saved for months. You scoured the online marketplaces. You finally met the seller in Ikeja, inspected the Corolla, transferred the millions, and drove off.

You think you are the owner of that car.

But in the eyes of the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police Force, you are essentially borrowing it.

If you have not completed a formal Transfer of Ownership, that vehicle still legally belongs to the man who sold it to you. And in a city as chaotic as Lagos, that is a legal landmine waiting to explode.

The "Birth Certificate" Problem

To understand the risk, you must understand the document. The Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) is the birth certificate of your car.

When you buy a used car ("Nigerian Used"), the seller hands you a file of papers. Most people toss this file into the glovebox and forget about it. But if you look closely, the Proof of Ownership still bears the seller's name.

This is like buying a house but leaving the Certificate of Occupancy in the previous landlord's name. You have possession, but you do not have the title.

The Nightmare Scenario

Why does this matter? Let’s paint a picture.

You are driving through Yaba. The police stop you. It is a routine check. They ask for your Driver's License and your Vehicle papers.

Your Driver's License says "Chinedu." The Proof of Ownership says "Adekunle."

Immediately, the mood changes.

• Suspicion: The officer asks, "Who is Adekunle?" You say, "I bought the car from him." The officer asks, "Where is the proof?"
• Theft Risk: If the previous owner (Adekunle) was unscrupulous, he could have reported that car stolen to claim insurance money. Now you are driving a "stolen" vehicle.
• Crime Link: If that car was used in a robbery three years ago, and the police finally track the plate number, they are coming for you, because you are the one driving it. But the legal trail leads back to the old owner, creating a mess that requires lawyers to untangle.

The Process: Changing the "Surname"

Transferring ownership is simply updating the car’s "surname" in the National Vehicle Identification System (NVIS).

It is not automatic. Just because you paid for the car does not mean the government knows. You need to actively file for a Change of Ownership at the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA).

You need the old owner’s original documents, a police clearance (proving the car isn’t stolen), and an affidavit. It is a bureaucracy-heavy process, which is why so many Nigerians skip it.

Don't Skip It. Delegate It.

You are a busy professional. You do not have time to chase down the previous owner for a signature or stand in line at the licensing office.

This is where Rabbar steps in.

We treat Transfer of Ownership as a priority service. If you just bought a car, or if you realize you are still driving with "Adekunle’s" papers:

1. Contact Rabbar.
2. Hand over the file: We collect the existing papers.
3. The Switch: Our team navigates the MVAA and NVIS protocols. We ensure the new Proof of Ownership is issued in your name.
4. Delivery: We bring the new "Birth Certificate" to you.

Do not drive a stranger's car. Legitimise your asset today, let Rabbar handle it!