The Federal Government has announced plans to revise compensation rates for individuals affected by land acquisitions for public projects.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this at the 2024 National Technical Development Forum on Land Administration on Monday.
The revised rates aim to ensure fair reimbursement for project-affected individuals, particularly for crops and economic trees. The current rates, unchanged since 2008, have led to delays and disputes, according to Champion Newspapers.
Dangiwa emphasized the significance of effective land administration, citing Nigeria’s vast land resources. The Land Use Act of 1978 stipulates fair compensation, but implementation has been inconsistent.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration prioritizes land reforms, recognizing the moral and legal obligation to provide adequate compensation.
The government seeks to address issues with land title and possession rights, and unlock Nigeria’s land potential.
The National Technical Development Forum on Land Administration has been working to address these issues since 2006. The World Bank Group and Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria have expressed support for these reforms.
The move is expected to streamline land acquisition processes and promote economic development.
“These trees are also tied to cultural and social identities. When displaced or destroyed in the course of land acquisition for public projects, the loss can be devastating, not only financially but emotionally. That is why it is essential to ensure that compensation rates reflect the true value of these assets, considering both their immediate and long-term economic importance,” he said.
Explaining further, he said the review is a priority of the current administration and a central focus of effective land administration.
“The Land Use Act of 1978 stipulates that the government has the right to acquire land for public purposes. But it also provides the framework for fair compensation when public land acquisition affects livelihoods. However, the reality on the ground often reflects delays, disputes, and inadequate compensation that fails to account for the true value of agricultural investments” he stated
