The short answer is: no. But buying without an agent is not buying without professional help.
The land law of Nigeria does not mandate that a purchaser must use the services of a real estate agent. A buyer can buy a property straight from an owner, negotiate the price and instruct a solicitor to close the deal.
But the harder question is can most buyers safely do all of that themselves.
Nigeria’s property market is fragmented. State land registries maintain ownership records. Customary and family land transactions may involve traditional authorities, family heads, or community interests. All land in each state is vested in the governor as trustee by the Land Use Act of 1978 and requires consent for dealings in statutory rights of occupancy. In practice title checks, consent, and registration and planning checks can be slow and technically demanding.
An agent’s principal value is not simply opening doors. A good one can find similar prices, find properties that fit, negotiate, coordinate inspections and point out obvious inconsistencies in a seller’s story. The best agents also understand local risks such as government acquisition, exposure to drainage and flood, planning restrictions, access disputes and developments marketed before approvals are secured.
However, an agent does not replace legal due diligence. Some agents are informal and they may repeat information given by a vendor. The buyer should check the identity and authority of the seller to sell, check the root of title, make an official search at the relevant land registry, check the survey plan, check for mortgages or litigation and check planning and development approvals. If the property is a family property, the consent of the concerned family members may be critical. For company-owned property, corporate authority and records should be examined as well.
A property lawyer should review the title and prepare or approve the contract and deed. Depending on the transaction, the buyer may also need a registered surveyor, valuer or town planner. These professionals address risks an agent is not qualified to cure.
Regulation varies by location. Lagos, for example, has the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), which registers and regulates practitioners in the state. Buyers should ask for registration details, written terms of engagement and a clear breakdown of fees. Commission should never be paid blindly, and no buyer should transfer the purchase price to an agent’s personal account without verified authority and proper documentation.
The practical verdict is straightforward: you do not legally need an agent, but you do need rigorous due diligence. For a first-time buyer, an agent can save time and improve access to the market. A lawyer, however, protects the transaction itself. If forced to choose one professional, choose the lawyer and never confuse a property viewing with proof of ownership.