Management takes place within a structured organizational setting with prescribed roles. It is directed towards the achievement of aims and objectives through influencing the efforts of others. Management involves identifying the mission, objectives, procedures, rules and the manipulation of the human capital of an enterprise to contribute to the success of the enterprise.  In this context, the customary land tenure system vests the family head with the power of management, to oversee the family property and other family businesses. The Supreme Court of Nigeria referred to the family head as a ‘Manager’ in Akano v. Ajuwon, (1982) 11 SC 1 at p. 72.  The apex court re-affirmed this description in the case of Solomon & Ors. v. Mogaji. The family head, whether referred to as a ‘‘manager’’, ‘‘director’’, “representative”, “agent”,  “caretaker” or “fiduciary,” he has the power and authority to direct the affairs of family property. In any of these capacities, he bears a fiduciary relationship to family property.

Since family property is vested in the family as a whole and ownership of the land is joint and indivisible so that is impracticable for every member to be part of the controlling nucleus of the family property, the administrative control and management of the family land is vested in the family head in conjunction with the principal members of the family.

........ To be continued