Public Trust and Land Administration in South-East Nigeria

Traditionally, land ownership in Nigeria has been deeply rooted in communal ties, with many families asserting ownership over ancestral lands. This communal approach persisted until the colonial era, which marked a significant shift in land administration and ownership documentation.

During the colonial period, a decree was instituted, mandating that all land matters must go through the British high commissioners. In the North, the Land Ownership and Native Land Act of 1916-1917 vested land powers in the Governors, restricting individual ownership. Conversely, in the Southern part of Nigeria, colonial governments seized ancestral lands without compensation, giving rise to a challenge of public land ownership. In 1942, a law was enacted to regulate land ownership and re-planning in Nigeria, and in 1992, adjustments were made to mitigate the lingering effects of colonial land administration.

The Land Use Act of 1978 stands as the federal government's key policy document, regulating land ownership, administration, and management in the country. This legislation entrusts the power of land ownership to the state governor. Unfortunately, there have been instances of abuse of this trust, particularly in the South-East region, where governors have encroached upon ancestral lands without proper resettlement and compensation, causing widespread distrust.

In the Northern region, land administration has made strides in documentation and adjustments, albeit with a focus on revenue generation by the current government. Conversely, the South-East region continues to grapple with public mistrust, as residents resist relinquishing their ancestral land rights to the government. This resistance has resulted in numerous cadastral problems, with many people in the region hesitant to document land titles or deeds.

In the modern era, most land ownership and transfers in the South-East are often based on informal agreements, either one-on-one or communal, with limited government documentation. The lack of official records is attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and land grabbing orchestrated by political figures.

There is an urgent need to rebuild public trust in the South-East region and streamline the process of documenting lands to promote sustainable land management practices.

Efforts should be directed towards fostering a transparent and accessible system that encourages residents to willingly participate in official land documentation, thereby ensuring the responsible and equitable management of the region's valuable land resources.