Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has initiated moves to overhaul Nigeria's land governance framework, with Vice President Kashim Shettima announcing plans for comprehensive reforms to the 48-year-old Land Use Act.
The disclosure came during the opening of the three-day National Land Conference 2025 in Abuja, organized by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in partnership with the Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation.
Outdated Law Due for Review
Represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Shettima acknowledged that while the 1978 Land Use Act established Nigeria's land ownership framework, it now presents systemic challenges requiring urgent modernization."The Act has significantly shaped land administration but is undeniably due for review," Shettima stated. "Analysts correctly identify it as an impediment to socio-economic development. We must realign its policies with contemporary needs for sustainable growth."
Reform Initiatives Underway
The Vice President revealed that the administration had taken concrete steps toward reform, including:- Establishment of four reform task teams (January 2024) to develop implementation blueprints
- Drafting of an executive bill for a National Land Commission
- Streamlining processes for easier, cost-effective land access
Stakeholders Push for Modernization
NIPSS Director-General Prof. Ayo Omotayo emphasized the conference's role in advancing the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda through land reform. "We're convening experts to ask hard questions and develop actionable recommendations," he said.Johnbull Amayaevbo, whose foundation co-hosted the event, presented alarming statistics underscoring the need for reform:
Nigeria ranks 169/190 in property registration (World Bank, 2023)
Only 3% of urban land formally registered (IFC data)
350,000 hectares of forest lost annually to poor land management (FAO)
Proposed Solutions
The conference proposed key interventions including:✓ Creation of an Office of the Valuer-General
✓ Digital modernization of land administration
✓ Enhanced tenure security measures
✓ Sustainable land use policies
Amayaevbo urged participants to develop "bold yet practical solutions" that balance global best practices with Nigeria's unique context, ensuring inclusive development.
The annual conference aims to monitor progress on land governance reforms, with this year's theme focusing on "Reforming Land Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria."
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