Nigeria: Contracts and Commercial Law

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most attractive real estate markets, particularly in major commercial centres such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ogun State, and other fast-developing urban areas. Foreign investors buy property in Nigeria for residential use, commercial investment, industrial projects, hospitality, agriculture, warehousing, and long-term capital appreciation. However, buying property in Nigeria as a foreigner requires proper legal guidance because land ownership in Nigeria is regulated by federal and state laws, and title documentation can be complex.

A Lagos High Court has ruled that estate residents' associations and their security service providers can be held liable in negligence when security protocol failures result in property loss. The judgment establishes critical precedents regarding duty of care, protocol enforcement, and the shared responsibility framework governing gated community security in Nigeria.

The safest process is to verify the seller, investigate the title, inspect the land, agree on the commercial terms in writing, complete the payment and transfer documents, then perfect and register your title.