Buying land in Lagos often comes with one familiar challenge: Omo Onile, the traditional land-owning families who control, sell, and sometimes resell plots across different areas.
But why is this system so widespread in Lagos compared to other parts of Nigeria?

To understand this, you need to look at Lagos’ history, population growth, land structure, and the complex relationship between indigenous families and modern urban development.

This article breaks down the real reasons Omo Onile culture is deeply rooted in Lagos and what buyers should know.

1. Historical Ownership of Land by Indigenous Families

Long before Lagos became Nigeria’s commercial hub, land was held by indigenous communities such as:

The Awori

The Egun

The Ijebu

The Ilaje

Other early settlers

These families owned land communally and passed it down through generations.
Even today, large portions of Lagos land still belong to these families, especially in:

Ibeju-Lekki

Epe

Badagry

Ikorodu

Abule Egba

Ipaja

Ayobo

Okokomaiko

Because of this long-standing ownership, selling family land has become a cultural and economic practice, making Omo Onile involvement very common.

2. Rapid Urban Expansion and Rising Demand for Land

Lagos is Africa’s fastest-growing city, and land demand increases every year.
As new areas open up for development, the first people selling plots are usually the indigenous families who inherited the land.

The high demand creates opportunities for:

Quick land sales

Subdividing land into plots

Negotiated prices

Multiple transactions within short periods

This demand-driven business environment keeps the Omo Onile system active and profitable.

3. Weak Land Documentation From Previous Generations

Many family-owned lands in Lagos were never formally registered with government authorities.
This means:

No deeds

No proper surveys

No records of boundaries

No legal transfers

With no formal structure, buyers must deal directly with family representatives.
This often results in:

Multiple family signatures

Confusing ownership claims

Risk of double-selling

As long as land documentation remains weak, Omo Onile will continue to play a major role.

4. Lagos Land Classification Favors the System

Large parts of Lagos fall under classifications like:

Excision

Gazette

Freehold

Committed acquisition

For lands that have been excised (released back to indigenous families by the government), Omo Onile becomes the primary authority for sales.
This legal structure keeps them relevant in areas where government allocation has not taken full control.

5. Lack of Affordable Housing and Government-Controlled Land

Because government-controlled land (with C of O and full documentation) is expensive and limited, many buyers turn to family land as a cheaper option.

This makes Omo Onile land:

More accessible

Faster to acquire

Easier to negotiate

The affordability gap keeps the Omo Onile system thriving among first-time buyers.

6. Cultural Influence and Traditional Authority

In many Lagos communities, Omo Onile holds strong traditional power.
They act as:

Custodians of ancestral land

Community representatives

Mediators in local land disputes

People trust them because of cultural familiarity, even when their process is risky.

7. Economic Survival for Indigenous Families

The truth is simple: selling land is a major source of income for many Lagos families.

With the rising value of real estate, families see land as:

Their inheritance

Their retirement plan

Their long-term financial security

As long as selling land remains profitable, the Omo Onile system will continue.

8. Slow Land Reform and Poor Regulation

Government attempts to regulate land in Lagos have been slow.
This gives room for:

Informal sales

Manipulated family receipts

Lack of uniform documentation

Extortion during construction

Until land reforms become stricter, Omo Onile activities will remain widespread.

9. Lagos’ Rapid Migration and Population Pressure

Lagos welcomes thousands of new residents monthly.
More people = more demand for housing = more pressure on available land.

Indigenous families take advantage of this influx, selling land quickly to meet the rising demand.
Because of this, buyers often meet Omo Onile before any official developer or government structure.

Conclusion

Omo Onile is common in Lagos because of a combination of history, culture, urban expansion, weak documentation, population growth, and market demand.

Understanding why the system exists helps buyers know how to navigate it safely.