Federal Government Plans Land Administration Reform For Sustainable Development.
The Federal Government is working towards establishing a sustainable land administration system in Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed.
Speaking at the 2025 National Land Conference in Abuja, Shettima, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, emphasised the need for land governance reform to drive economic development. The three-day conference, themed *“Reforming Land Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”*, was organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in collaboration with the Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation.
Shettima highlighted that while the Land Use Act of 1978 has been the legal framework for land ownership and administration in Nigeria, it now requires urgent reform to address systemic challenges.
“The Act, now 48 years old, is undeniably due for review and reform. Analysts have criticised it as an impediment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review to realign its policies with the goals of sustainable growth, equity, and efficiency,” he stated.
To address these challenges, Shettima noted that the Federal Government inaugurated four reform task teams in January 2024 to develop a strategic blueprint for streamlining land administration, making land access more efficient and cost-effective. He also disclosed that an executive bill for the establishment of a National Land Commission has been drafted and is currently before the National Assembly.
The Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, explained that the conference gathered key stakeholders to evaluate Nigeria’s land and resource system, aiming to generate new ideas and recommendations for policy improvement.
“For us at the National Institute, what matters is developing Nigeria into what the founding fathers envisioned. Our motto is ‘Towards a Better Society,’ and through this conference, we hope to contribute to national development,” Omotayo stated.
Johnbull Amayaevbo, President and Founder of the Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation, emphasised that land governance reform is crucial for Nigeria’s sustainable development. He noted that despite Nigeria’s vast land resources, outdated policies and administrative bottlenecks have hindered efficient land management.
According to Amayaevbo, Nigeria ranks 169th out of 190 countries in property registration, as per the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index (2023). He also cited the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which estimates that only 3% of Nigeria’s urban land is formally registered. Additionally, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that Nigeria loses approximately 350,000 hectares of forest annually due to poor land management practices.
The conference proposed key reforms, including the establishment of an Office of the Valuer-General, modernisation of land administration laws, enhancement of land tenure security, and the adoption of sustainable land management practices.
“As we embark on the journey towards land governance reform, let us draw inspiration from global best practices while remaining mindful of our unique socio-cultural and economic context. The reforms we propose must be bold yet practical, visionary yet actionable, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind,” Amayaevbo added.
The conference is expected to become an annual platform for experts, stakeholders, and policymakers to engage in discussions, track progress, and propose solutions for land governance reform in Nigeria.
