In what could become a landmark warning for communities across Nigeria and West Africa, the Awojiya family of Abomiti-Nla, Epe, Lagos, has strongly cautioned against unauthorised land transactions on their ancestral heritage. This development highlights ongoing land struggles, legal disputes, and the intersection of tradition and modern real estate growth in some of Nigeria’s fastest-developing regions.
Heirs Stand Firm: No Ancestral Land for Sale
At a recent gathering, members of the Awojiya lineage, represented by family head Salami Ayinde and acting secretary Salami Mustapha, declared unequivocally that the family’s historic lands in Abomiti-Nla are not on the market. They spoke to reporters, stating that any attempt by individuals or groups to transact on these lands without the family’s full backing would be null, void, and without effect.
According to the family spokespersons, “No portion of our ancestral land in Abomiti-Nla resettlement is for sale. Any such transaction not approved collectively and properly documented is totally invalid.” Their insistence on documented minutes—specifically agreements recorded at the official family meeting of September 27, 2025, and signed by the proper representatives—serves as both evidence and safeguard. Without these protocols, they said, buyers should consider themselves at risk of losing both investment and legal ground.
The Legal and Traditional Context: Why Is This Significant?
Land matters are a recurring source of conflict in Nigeria and across West Africa. In many regions, traditional ownership and modern title deeds can compete or overlap, often leading to confusion and costly disputes. Analyst Dr. Tunde Ojikutu, a land law expert at the University of Lagos, notes, “Disputes around family lands are not just about property—they touch on the very identity, authority, and survival of historic communities.”
Statistically, land-related disputes constitute one of the most common civil cases in Nigerian courts, costing individuals and families not just money, but in some cases, inter-generational relationships and heritage. In Lagos, where urban development drives up the price and demand for real estate, cases like the Awojiya family’s stand as a caution for both investors and speculators.
Family’s Stand: Only Decisions Made by Consensus Are Binding
The Awojiya descendants emphasized that only decisions reached in unity and properly registered would carry weight. “Any land bought from certain individuals without unanimous family agreement will be rendered null and void,” they declared. “Sales must be accompanied by originals of documented minutes, taken at our ancestral venue with authentic signatures. Otherwise, such purchases are baseless.”
Legal practitioners in Lagos echo this caution, urging buyers to conduct thorough due diligence on land matters. “Verifying the collective consent of traditional families is key,” said Barrister Efe Omorogbe, an Epe-based property lawyer. “If you don’t have the right signatures and documentation, you might only be buying a problem.”
A Warning of Legal Action
The family is ready to back up their words with action, warning all parties that any illegal or unauthorised transaction may result in legal steps. “We reserve the right to take anyone who violates our resolution to court,” said Ayinde. Such measures are not uncommon in Lagos, a state famous for its complex land tenure system and active judiciary regarding land disputes. Court injunctions and reversal of illegal sales are frequently used means of upholding family and community rights.
Concerns About Community Survival and Heritage
Beyond the legal, the Awojiya family is also warning about existential risk: unauthorized disposals, they argue, could jeopardize the very survival of Abomiti-Nla. The village is one of 13 historic settlements established by their forebears, and its continuity affects traditional leadership, local administration, and socio-cultural relevance. “If Abomiti-Nla ceases to exist, what happens to our polling booths, our Bales (community leaders), and our primary school?” the family asked. According to them, the Abomiti Primary School has educated many notable sons and daughters, representing a living testament to the community’s past and ongoing contributions.
The potential loss or erosion of these centers of governance, learning, and local identity is a scenario that resonates with many traditional communities across West Africa, from Ghana’s Akan lands to the Yoruba heartlands in Nigeria.
Appeals for Calm, Unity, and Respect for Tradition
In an appeal to stakeholders—property developers, estate representatives, and prospective buyers—the family asked that everyone resist the temptation to exploit internal divisions or act in ways that threaten Abomiti-Nla’s survival. “We are committed to preserving our heritage. Please respect our collective decision and do not engage in any actions that might jeopardize our future,” their statement urged.
Calls for neutrality were also directed at the NOWAHALAZONE of the Community Welfare Committee. The family seeks impartiality from all community organs as the situation unfolds. Additionally, they have petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly, specifically inviting Hon. Abiodun Tobun of Epe Constituency 1 to mediate and help prevent escalation.
Developers and Estates Cautioned: Amen Estate, Harmony Estate Named
Notably, the family has singled out Amen Estate and Harmony Estate, instructing both to stop any ongoing or planned construction or sales activities on the disputed land. They allege that those currently transacting with the estates do not possess valid authority from the broader family. The request for these prominent developers to “pause and verify” underscores how large estates can inadvertently become embroiled in local land disputes if due diligence is overlooked.
The Lagos estate boom has, over the years, attracted both reputable developers and less scrupulous actors. According to property analysts, the safest route is to liaise not just with individuals but also with recognised family and community structures, backed by traceable documentation and legal vetting—something that the Awojiya family’s cautionary tale brings into stark relief.
Cultural, Economic and Policy Implications
Cases like this have deep cultural and economic implications, not just for the families involved, but also for the broader question of how tradition, modern law, and development interact in Nigeria and across West Africa. As more villages on Lagos’s fringe become absorbed into the megacity’s expansion, a balance between respecting ancestral ownership and enabling responsible development is urgently needed. In Ghana, for instance, frameworks that blend customary rights with modern titling—like the Lands Commission’s integrated land registration—are being studied by policy experts as possible models for Nigeria.
What Happens Next?
It remains to be seen how the authorities, community leaders, and affected developers will respond to the Awojiya family’s stand. Observers suggest that high-profile intervention, mediation, and strict legal adherence may prevent further escalation and serve as a reference for resolving similar disputes in the future.
For many Nigerians, particularly in regions where traditional, communal, and family land ownership remains the norm, the outcome at Abomiti-Nla may set a local precedent for how to protect both heritage and development interests. At the heart of the matter is the question: How can communities assert their history and rights while navigating the complex legal and economic realities of modern Nigeria?
Has your community faced similar land issues, or do you have insights into how such conflicts can be resolved respectfully? What’s your view on balancing ancestral rights with modern development in Nigeria and Africa? Drop a comment and keep the conversation going!
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