Nigeria’s Land Use Act Contributes To Systemic Challenges

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for reviewing and reforming Nigeria’s Land Use Act of 1978 to establish a practical legal and policy framework for land administration in the country.

The Vice President who was represented by the deputy chief of staff, office of the vice president, Sen. Hassan Hadejia revealed that the federal government is committed to the idea of the NLC and has taken significant steps towards its realisation by drafting an executive bill for its creation, which is before the National Assembly. He said the bill is undergoing final administrative approvals before a proper legislative process could commence.

He further explained that although the Act has significantly shaped land administration and management in Nigeria, it has also contributed to systemic challenges that must now be addressed. He added that the situation had sparked considerable debates and faced constructive criticism from scholars, public commentators, policymakers, and humanities scholars.

The Vice President, who was speaking at the National Land Conference (NLC) organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in collaboration with the Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation yesterday, in Abuja, emphasised that though the Act, over the years has helped in ensuring equitable distribution and ownership of land in Nigeria, the time has come for a thorough assessment to identify necessary amendments and ensure improvement in the well-off socio-economic landscape.

“The time has therefore come for a thorough assessment to identify necessary amendments and ensure improvement in the well-off socio-economic landscape. When analysts and critics see the Land Use Act as an impediment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, it underscores the need for a comprehensive review to realign its policies with the goals of sustainable growth, equity, and efficiency”, he said.

The Vice President revealed that the federal government is committed to the idea of the NLC and has taken significant steps towards its realisation by drafting an executive bill for its creation, which is before the National Assembly.  He said the bill is undergoing final administrative approvals before a proper legislative process could commence.

He said the federal government teams have similarly overseen the drafting and issuing 11 sectoral regulations addressing different aspects of the land and housing sector reforms. He further revealed that the teams’ work will ensure the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development.

Director-General of NIPSS Professor Ayo Omotayo said the three-day conference was organised to fulfil his Institution’s mandates, which include researching and reflecting on matters of national interest. He explained that on matters of national interest, NIPSS cannot renegade land and resource systems to the background.

“Everything we do at the National Institute; it is always towards looking for that better Nigerian society. We know that societies are dynamic, and the different things we learn from our societies do change over time. Are we at the crossroads of land use development in Nigeria? What should we be doing? For us at the National Institute, we feel it is time for us to look at this”.

“Of course, some of us who are environmentalists, who feel and who know that sustainable development thrives on a good land and resource system, we are here. And, of course, those who are involved in transportation are also here. In the next few days, we believe we will periscope what our land and resource system has been. We will come up with new ideas and make recommendations to the government. For the Renewable Agenda to succeed fully, we need to look at our land and resource system. We need to be able to make suggestions that will take our country to where it wants us to be”, he explained.