Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Land Registration Crisis: Over 90% of land unregistered, causing $300bn in economic losses

POSTED ON March 20, 2025 •   METRO      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Minister of Housing and urban development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has pointed out that more than 90 percent of land in Nigeria is not registered, resulting in an estimated $300 billion in economic losses due to difficulties in land registration.

While addressing the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme (NLRDP) Workshop in Abuja, Dangiwa underscored the slow, complicated, and expensive character of Nigeria’s land registration system, which has remained predominantly sporadic and non-mandatory since it began in 1883.

He stressed that without proper documentation, landowners are unable to take advantage of their properties for economic benefits, which restricts their access to credit and investment.

 Additionally, the absence of an organized framework for land ownership, bureaucratic hurdles, and outdated regulations like the Land Use Act of 1978 have exacerbated the issue.

“This process has been slow, complicated, unclear, and costly for the average landowner. It is understandable that fewer than 10 percent of the total land in the country has been registered over the span of 140 years,’’ he remarked.

He noted that this has made it impractical for landowners to utilize their assets for economic purposes.

Dangiwa stated: “Nigeria has encountered persistent issues in land governance, such as the lack of a systematic, reliable, and undisputed framework for identifying property ownership, interests, and locations.

The inefficient and cumbersome property registration system has led to less than 10 percent of land in Nigeria being registered within the existing sporadic system. Other challenges comprise the lack of authoritative data to aid effective land management, restricted access to available land records, and the continued existence of the Land Use Act of 1978 (now Cap 2004).”

 

To tackle these concerns, he mentioned that the government intends to establish a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) to modernize, centralize, and digitize land records, thereby decreasing bureaucracy and corruption. The objective is to raise formal land registration from below 10 percent to over 50 percent within the next ten years.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Aminu Tambuwal, reaffirmed the Senate’s dedication to legislative reforms aimed at enhancing land administration, boosting transparency, and ensuring sustainable funding.

Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Ademorin Kuye, pointed out that land without documentation cannot be used as collateral for loans or investments, hindering economic progress. He emphasized that poor land governance has resulted in illegal encroachments, deforestation, and agricultural inefficiencies, while unclear land titles have led to ongoing litigation and diminished investor confidence.

The World Bank’s Country Director, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, through his representative, Michael Ilesanmi, reiterated the bank’s endorsement, asserting that reforms in land registration are vital for poverty alleviation and economic development.

READ ALSO
Police Arrest Six After Abuja Market Killing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

At least six suspects connected to the killing that led to unrest at Gosa Market on Airport Road in...

READ ALSO
Former Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Charged with Multiple Sexual Offences
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been formally charged with several sexual offences by th...

READ ALSO
Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Dies Days After Wedding
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

The forward for Liverpool and the Portugal national team, Diogo Jota, has tragically died at the age...

READ ALSO
EFCC Nabs 18 Young Men in Major Internet Fraud Bust
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

In its ongoing campaign against illicit activities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EF...

READ ALSO
Man Arrested for Brutal Killing of His Mother
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

A heartbreaking case of matricide has rocked the Dantanoma quarters in Gumel Local Government Area o...

READ ALSO
Nigerian Deported After Conviction for Smuggling Fake $100,000
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

A Nigerian, Aremu Adegboyega, has been convicted by a Circuit Court in Accra, Ghana, for attempting...

READ ALSO
NDLEA Nabs Ex-International Player in Major Drug Bust
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 29, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has detained former international footballer Segun...

READ ALSO
NDLEA Seizes Over 6,700 kg of Illicit Drugs in Cross River, Arrests 191 Suspects
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 28, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported the destruction of 30 hectares of cann...

OUR CHANNELS:

IRCC Raises Minimum Proof of Funds for Immigrants: New Threshold Set at CAD $15,262
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 11, 2025 0

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has initiated a review of the settlement fund cr...


Nigeria Urges U.S. to Reassess New Visa Restrictions Amid Concerns Over Reciprocity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

The government of President Bola Tinubu has called on the U.S. government to reassess its visa restr...


Vigilante Leader Vows to Continue Fight against Banditry Despite Heavy Losses
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

A vigilante leader in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, Abdullahi Hussaini, has pledged t...


JAMB Reports Surge in Exam Malpractices, Two Arrested in Katsina
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

Data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board at its 2025 policy meeting on Tuesday...


Rio Ferdinand Urges Manchester United to Secure Victor Osimhen Amidst Transfer Rumors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has once again advised the club regarding their searc...


Ex-D’Tigers coach Brown sets goals for new job
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

The former head coach of the Nigerian men's national basketball team, D'Tigers,Mike Brown,has s...


U.S. Reduces Visa Duration for Nigerians to Three Months
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

The U.S. Department of State has changed its five-year visa policy for Nigerians applying for non-im...


JAMB Sets 2024 Cut-Off Marks for Tertiary Institutions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board announced the admission cut-off marks for universities, pol...


Federal Government Launches Exclusive Passport Office for Senior Officials
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The federal government on Tuesday, inaugurated a new passport front office in Abuja...


African Democratic Congress Claims Government Coercion to Weaken Opposition Coalition
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of ta...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu