At the National Land Conference in Abuja, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, revealed a staggering land administration challenge only three per cent of Nigerian landowners have valid legal titles.
He warned that this issue is stifling economic growth, land security, and financial accessibility.
Represented by Cyril Hart, Abbas pointed out that 60 per cent of civil cases in Nigerian courts are land-related, underscoring the urgent need for reforms. He referenced a World Bank report, which states that 70 per cent of the global population lacks legally registered land titles, a trend that mirrors Nigeria’s ongoing land crisis.
Despite Nigeria’s vast 923,000 square kilometers of land, only a small percentage is officially registered. This lack of formal ownership prevents millions of Nigerians from using their land as collateral for bank loans, particularly farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs.
Abbas identified key barriers to land registration, including high costs, bureaucratic delays, corruption, documentation irregularities, and low public awareness. Many Nigerians either do not understand the importance of land titling or face overwhelming challenges in securing legal ownership.
Beyond financial struggles, Abbas emphasized that insecure land rights fuel poverty, inequality, and political instability. He highlighted the prevalence of land disputes and forced evictions, which further threaten social and economic development.
Reaffirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to legislative reform, Abbas pledged support for policies that will streamline land registration, lower costs, and modernize administrative processes.
With Nigeria’s rapid urbanization and growing population, Abbas urged stakeholders, policymakers, and agencies to prioritize land security. He stressed that ensuring more Nigerians have legal land ownership will unlock economic opportunities, foster financial growth, and drive national progress.
