Buying real estate in Nigeria shouldn’t be a game of chance. You shouldn’t put your hard-earned “one kobo” into a property only to face the trauma of litigation or loss.
The secret to a headache-free investment is understanding The Legal Chain of Authority. Most investors think only “people” or “companies” sell land. In reality, seven distinct entities can legally sign a Deed of Assignment. If you buy from the wrong person within these groups, you aren’t buying a property; you’re buying a lawsuit.
The Fundamental Triad: Owning vs. Selling vs. Transferring
Before we look at the entities, you must understand that these three rights are not the same:
Owning: Having a verified title document (not just an emotional attachment or being born in a village).
Selling: The authority to enter into a transaction.
Transferring: The legal capacity to pass that title, interest, and ownership to you permanently.
1. The Community
In regions like Rivers State, communal land is prevalent.
The Trap: A single family within a community tries to sell communal land. They have the right to occupy, but they lack the capacity to sell without the unanimous agreement of all constituent families and the community leadership.
The Solution: You must verify that the community’s sovereign authority (the Council of Chiefs or the youth leadership) has authorized the sale.
2. The Family
A family is a collective. Usually, the father is the figurehead.
The Risk: If the original owner is deceased and there is no formal Will, the “First Son” often steps forward as the seller. However, without the consent of the other siblings (beneficiaries), that sale is a “ticking time bomb.” One disgruntled younger brother can overturn your ₦100M transaction years later.
3. The Adult (18+)
Any individual 18 years and older can own land.
Authority Building: When buying from an individual, you must audit the Recital section of their Deed. This is the “DNA” of the land history. You must take that history to the village chiefs or neighbors to confirm that the person actually bought it from who they say they did.
4. The Company
A company is a “legal person.” It can own and sell, but it acts through its directors.
The Verification: You must cite the company’s Board Resolution. Just because a man is the CEO doesn’t mean he can sell the company’s landed assets without a signed document from the other directors and shareholders.
[Image showing a checklist: Board Resolution, CAC Documents, and Search Report]
The “Developer” Shortcut
Buying from established Real Estate Developers like Win Realty saves you from these “Omonile” headaches. We have already done the heavy lifting—auditing the community, verifying the family, and perfecting the legal title—so you only deal with a single, professional entity.
5. Real Estate Developers
Companies like ours have the legal right to aggregate large tracts of land and subdivide them. Buying here ensures that the “Due Diligence” has been professionally handled by experts who have served thousands of happy, profitable investors.
6. The Government
In places like Abuja (FCT), the government is the primary seller. You buy directly from the FCT Administration. Additionally, the government can “gift” land to retired civil servants. When buying these, you must verify the “Letter of Allocation” directly from the Ministry.
7. The Minor (0-17)
A child can own land (often through inheritance), but they cannot sell or transfer it.
The Law: A representative must stand for them. You must ask: Is this sale for the minor’s benefit (e.g., education)? Is there a court-recognized guardianship? Buying from an uncle selling his nephew’s land “on his behalf” without legal backing is a recipe for disaster.
The Win Realty Guarantee
I am Eze Maximus, Founder of Win Realty Limited. With 4 years of development experience and over 8,500 satisfied clients, we ensure that every property we offer has a “clean” chain of authority. We don’t just sell land; we sell peace of mind.
Stop Playing Small. Start Building Wealth.
If you want to explore safe, profitable real estate locations in Port Harcourt or Abuja, join our community of smart investors.
The next move is yours. Let’s talk: Click here to enter my WhatsApp Inbox: wa.me/+2348129359176 or join my WhatsApp channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaM0svgCnA7lLd4P130x
