The Federal Government has started a land reform strategy as part of efforts to streamline the land administration process in the country and to ensure that land is available, accessible and efficiently used.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated this during a meeting with members of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms, chaired by Peter Adeniyi.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media to Minister, Mark Chieshe, on Sunday, announced the formation of an internal ministerial committee to examine the committee’s submissions within the next two weeks.
The PUNCH reports that the committee comprising renowned experts on land reforms, was established in 2009 to address land governance challenges. It has produced recommendations and blueprints aimed at transforming land administration in the country.
According to the statement, these recommendations, once implemented, have the potential to significantly enhance land access and drive economic growth by unlocking an estimated $300 billion.
Dangiwa, expressing support for the committee’s work despite challenges, assured Adeniyi, and other committee members of the commitment of the President, to drive through the recommendations of the PTCLR.
He said the ministry will review and incorporate essential aspects of their work into its reform strategy for implementation.
The statement read, “I commended the team for the good work despite challenges and assured Prof. Adeniyi and other members that President Bola Tinubu has the political will to drive through their recommendations. As a Ministry, we will review and incorporate relevant aspects of their inputs into our land reform strategy towards implementing them for the good of the country. I have set up an Internal Ministerial Committee to study the Committee’s submissions and we will be meeting with them in the next two weeks.”
Dangiwa also underscored the ministry’s determination to dismantle barriers hindering the growth of the housing sector and national development, notably the ineffective land administration system in the country.
Earlier in his presentation, Adeniyi noted the immense progress made by the committee over the years, including the production of a Draft Land Use Act, as well as Draft Regulations to cater to all aspects of the sector.
“The invitation hit me like a patient who receives, at the point of death, a life-saving oxygen. It is a truly “renewed hope for the realization of the Slogan – Reform Land, Transform Nigeria”. We have over time tried to get the attention of critical stakeholders, government and policy leaders in the past to see that these regulations get the necessary backing, but unfortunately, nothing has come out of it,” he noted.
“So, you can imagine our excitement when we got the invitation from the Honourable Minister. We’ve not had such an opportunity before. Knowing the Minister and all that he did as Managing Director of FMBN, I know that he has great passion for this country and has the will to pursue any policy he puts his mind to. This is an opportunity for us to finally get the much-needed land reforms for the development of our country,” he said.
“The reason why our systematic land titling and administration framework, which has been adopted by states like Kaduna and Kano, is simply the lack of legal backing. So, you find that the system is only valid within the parameters of the state but is not binding outside of the state. With a commission, that can be resolved,” he added.
