Transitioning away from untitled land will break your rhythm. It will test your patience. It may even make you doubt yourself, but that is the price of stability.

For us, every day used to bring in alerts. Then, the moment we dropped untitled properties, the activity slowed. Some days felt empty. It looked like we were shrinking.

But in reality, we were securing the foundation of the business.

A year of struggle is far better than a lifetime of regret. Untitled land looks like easy money, but it is a trap. The earlier you make the shift, the longer your company will live.

Dr. Smith Ezenagu is the Chairman of Esso Group, a diversified conglomerate shaping real estate, finance, education, and media. Dr. Smith Ezenagu is recognized as a real estate & investment mogul, life coach, and private equity expert. He leads Esso Group and its subsidiaries: Esso Properties (awarded Nigeria’s Most Innovative Real Estate Company in 2024 and recognized as the best real estate company in Nigeria), Esso School of Enterprise (the leading institution equipping entrepreneurs), and Esso Capital (delivering smart, trusted financial solutions across Nigeria).