Understanding the Different Forms of Land Ownership in Nigeria

The land system of every society is the manner in which a piece of land is owned by an individual or group of people. This system is also made up of rules and procedures that govern the rights and responsibilities of both individuals and groups in ownership.

In land ownership, it is arguable that societies of various cultures and political views have land systems woven of property rights.

These property rights serve one fundamental purpose; giving owners or right-holders the ability to do their property how they choose.

Holding on to it, renting or selling, however, they choose.

Bringing it home, let’s help you understand land ownership here in Nigeria.

LAND TENURE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

A land tenure system refers to a set of guidelines that say how land is used, owned, and also given out. Sometimes, these rules can be formal, that is they can come as laws that are passed by the government. Othertimes, the rules are informal, as in customary practices that have been followed for years.

In every nation, land tenure systems help provide security for people who use land, and they help promote economic development and investment as well as play a role in environmental protection.

In Nigeria, land tenure systems have evolved through major periods; pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial periods.

TYPES OF LAND TENURE SYSTEM

In Nigeria, there are several land tenure systems. They come under these two units: Customary land tenure and Statutory land tenure systems.

Customary Land Tenure System

This was the predominant land tenure system during the pre-colonial period. It supports the tenancy where land was generally owned by villages, communities, or families. It seemed abnormal for land to be owned by individuals.

The land is always considered to belong to the entire community, with families or individuals having rights to use the land and benefit from the hand, but they do not own the land itself. 

Under the customary land tenure system, we have common types: The communal land Tenure system and the Inheritance Tenure system.

Statutory Land Tenure System

The statutory land Tenure system is heavy on government laws and regulations. It has been effective since the colonial and post-colonial periods. It is predominant in urban areas and spaces where the government has a subtle control.

The government is the ultimate owner of the land and individuals or organizations can only obtain a certificate of occupancy or leases to use the land.

In Nigeria, there are four (4) common types of statutory land tenure system;

• Freehold Tenure System: Individuals would have to pay a sum of a predetermined amount to own a plot of land. The land has to be surveyed after an agreement has been reached. After that, the land gets registered.
• Gift Tenure System: This is a type of land tenure system that involves gifting a person. The land is given as a gift from one person to another.
• Tenant at Will: The occupier of the land has no formal lease agreement and is susceptible to eviction.
• Leasehold Tenure System: This is simply temporary ownership of land. Either for a long-term or short-term

CONCLUSION

With the current state of the land ownership system in Nigeria, Nigeria is slowly shifting from pseudo-socialism to capitalism. As time goes by, the economy will be more private-sector-driven than before. More individuals will come to own more land within and outside their regions.

Thankfully, with the instituted land ownership systems, we expect to see a consistent balance between the government, the landowners and non-land owners. This will ultimately lead to the use and development of land and its resources across the country.