Land Use Act Review Will Address Insecurity, Poverty – Stakeholders

Stakeholders have called for an urgent review of the 1978 Land Use Act, citing its role in worsening land disputes, rural poverty, and insecurity across northern Nigeria.

This was revealed during the dissemination of research findings on land governance, ecology, and insecurity in northern Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Bauchi states, showing that the current land administration system disproportionately concentrates power in state governors’ hands.

Presenting the study’s overview, lead researcher Adam Higazi said the law enables governors to control land allocation in their states, often to the detriment of local communities.

According to Higazi, the Land Use Act allows state authorities to reallocate communal lands, including forests and grazing reserves, to political allies, private individuals, and agribusiness investors, frequently without adequate compensation.

He noted that this has led to widespread land alienation, depriving farmers and pastoralists of their primary means of livelihood.

“Land alienation is a major source of impoverishment across all the states studied,” he said.

The study found that loss of land often forces affected populations into displacement, pushing them into unfamiliar territories where they face increased risks of violence, including banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.

In some instances, displaced individuals are drawn into criminal activities, further escalating insecurity in the region.

For farmers, the loss of land has resulted in reduced agricultural productivity, forced migration, or conversion into wage labourers on lands they once owned.

“This creates a deep sense of injustice and fuels tensions within communities,” Higazi added.

Participants at the event were urged to reflect on the extent to which land dispossession contributes to banditry, particularly in Katsina State.

While acknowledging multiple causes of insecurity, the research highlighted land governance as a critical but often overlooked factor.

Stakeholders also explored whether comprehensive land reform could serve as a viable peace-building strategy in affected communities.

Beyond social and economic impacts, the research pointed to significant environmental damage resulting from land expropriation,

Large-scale land acquisitions often involve deforestation, leading to the loss of biodiversity, soil fertility, and natural resources such as medicinal plants and grazing areas.

These changes increase communities’ vulnerability to the effects of climate change, including drought, flooding, and extreme temperatures.

As part of its recommendations, the study called for a review of the Land Use Act to make it more inclusive and equitable.

Higazi suggested reducing the concentration of authority in state governments while strengthening land rights for local communities, smallholder farmers, and pastoralists, emphasising the need for secure land tenure systems that protect livelihoods and promote food security.

The report also urged policymakers to prioritise sustainable land and natural resource management, including protecting forests and water sources.

The  event organised by the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute in collaboration with UK international Development, SRING and TETRA TECH aims to add information on the reality of issues related to land governance, ecology and insecurity