Niger Revokes 20 Land Allocations

Niger State government has revoked 20 undeveloped land allocations across the state between 2023 and 2025 in line with its commitment to strengthen land governance and end speculative holding.

Alhaji Bello Ahmadu, the commissioner for Lands and Survey, disclosed this in Minna on Wednesday.

Ahmadu was speaking on the theme: ‘Land Governance Reform, Revenue Sustainability and Regulatory Enforcement Framework”.

He explained that the revoked plots were initially allocated for housing, agriculture and other projects but remained undeveloped for between three and five years, particularly in Suleja and Tafa Local Government Areas.

“We are enforcing zero tolerance on illegal layouts; no private developer shall subdivide, design or sell land without obtaining full approval from the Ministry of Lands and Survey,” he said.

Ahmadu noted that some investors allocated as much as 150 hectares failed to commence development years after allocation, stressing that government would not allow strategic lands to remain idle.

He said the ministry had been directed to take inventory of undeveloped plots across the state and ensure appropriate action, including revocation where necessary.

According to him, land is a strategic public asset vested in the governor in trust for the people and must be allocated and utilised strictly in line with statutory provisions.

Ahmadu disclosed that the ministry was developing a comprehensive governance framework covering land administration, town planning, survey coordination, development control and land value management.

He added that the policy document would be presented to the public after approval by the State Executive Council to institutionalise due process, transparency and sustainable land utilisation.

On infrastructure, the commissioner said ongoing projects such as construction of new hospitals, renovation of schools and major road corridors had opened up new investment opportunities.

He highlighted the Greater Suleja Development Plan and the Jazu to Chanchaga corridor redesign as key initiatives aimed at giving the affected areas a modern outlook and ensuring orderly urban expansion.

Ahmadu said the state would deploy the Land Value Capture model to enhance revenue sustainability, adding that proceeds from corridor development, structured plot allocations, Infrastructure Reserve Land and change-of-use approvals would boost internally generated revenue.

He disclosed that the ministry had set a revenue target of between N7 billion and N8 billion for the 2026 fiscal year and urged landowners to regularise their titles.

“The governor is ready to sign any Certificate of Occupancy that comes before him without issues. Within the last two months alone, he has signed more than 300 Certificates of Occupancy,” he said.

The commissioner further revealed that about 1,000 hectares had been approved for an industrial layout in Diko community, with part earmarked for agriculture to stimulate economic growth and attract investors.

He also announced plans to establish a Land Use Enforcement and Monitoring Unit, adding that mining and quarry operators to obtain Temporary Rights of Occupancy.

He stressed that a comprehensive audit of telecom masts would commence to enforce compliance with land use charges.

Ahmadu urged the media and members of the public to report illegal subdivisions and encroachments, saying, “when you see something, please say something, do not keep mute.

In his remarks, Dr Abdul Hussein, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said that the state government remained committed to peaceful resolution and transparent land administration. (NAN)