Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government is working to establish a sustainable and efficient land administration system in Nigeria, a move aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in the sector. Shettima, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, shared this vision during the opening of the three-day National Land Conference 2025 in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Reforming Land Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, was organized by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in partnership with the Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation. It brought together key stakeholders to discuss the future of land governance and explore practical solutions to improve the system.
In his speech, Shettima highlighted that Nigeria’s Land Use Act of 1978 has served as the foundational legal framework for land ownership, management, and administration in the country. However, he acknowledged that after nearly 50 years, the Act is outdated and no longer fully meets the needs of modern Nigeria. Shettima emphasized that it was time for a comprehensive review to address its shortcomings and realign its policies with the goals of sustainable growth, equity, and efficiency.
“Although the Land Use Act has played a significant role in shaping land administration, it has also created systemic challenges that must be addressed for the country to move forward,” Shettima said, adding that analysts have criticized the Act for hindering socio-economic progress.
In response, the current administration has launched four reform task teams as part of its commitment to land administration reform. These teams, inaugurated in January 2024, are tasked with developing a strategic blueprint for simplifying and streamlining land access in Nigeria. Shettima also shared that the government is moving forward with the creation of a National Land Commission, having already drafted an executive bill to present to the National Assembly.
Prof. Ayo Omotayo, the Director-General of NIPSS, emphasized the importance of the conference in bringing together key players from the building ecosystem to reflect on Nigeria’s land governance system. “The goal is to generate new ideas and recommendations that will help address land-related challenges,” Omotayo said, noting that the conference would contribute to the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda by focusing on land and resource management.
Johnbull Amayaevbo, Founder of the Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation, also spoke at the event, pointing out that despite Nigeria’s vast land resources, the country’s land governance system is burdened by outdated policies and administrative bottlenecks. This has led to Nigeria ranking 169th out of 190 countries in property registration, according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index. Amayaevbo also highlighted that only 3% of Nigeria’s urban land is formally registered, according to the International Finance Corporation, and stressed the need for urgent intervention.
The conference also highlighted alarming statistics, such as the annual loss of 350,000 hectares of forest due to unsustainable land use practices. To address these issues, Amayaevbo proposed key reforms, including the establishment of an Office of the Valuer-General, the modernization of land administration laws, improved land tenure security, and the adoption of sustainable land management practices.
“As we work towards reforming land governance in Nigeria, our proposals must be bold yet practical, visionary yet actionable,” Amayaevbo said. “We must ensure inclusivity, so no segment of society is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.”
The National Land Conference 2025 is expected to become an annual platform for experts, stakeholders, and policymakers to evaluate progress and propose solutions for advancing land governance reform in Nigeria.
