The Federal Government has urged the 36 states to implement critical reforms such as digitisation of land titles to enhance ease of doing business, foster synergy between public and private investors in housing delivery, check double titling and multiple charges on government properties.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, made the call at the 28th Conference of Directors of Lands in federal and state ministries, entitled: “Improving land-based revenue of the federating units in Nigeria through efficient and effective land administration” in Lagos, yesterday.

He specifically sought reorganisation of land information systems, tenures and registration.

Others, the minister said, include lack of a streamlined and transparent registration process that discourages investment and hinders economic development; inadequate urban planning, which lead to informal settlements and improper land use, as well as inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks that make it difficult for individuals and businesses to navigate the land administration system.

Dangiwa noted that the reforms would improve land-based revenue of the three tiers of government.

To him, addressing issues hindering efficient land administration and management in the country would free $300 billion locked assets and boost revenue for sustainable development.

The minister regretted a situation where the Land Use Act, enacted in 1978, lacked a complementary institution framework, guidelines and regulations for its operationalision.

Consequently, he disclosed that the current administration was working to establish a National Land Commission to fill the vacuum and promote effective land administration in the country.
His words: “Our aim is to implement the most historic land reforms the country has ever witnessed to make it easier, safer and more profitable for the private sector to invest in the sector and make good returns.
“The Land Use Act 1978 requires legislative amendments and national government policy interventions. However, there is a lot of room for innovation to circumvent the limitations posed by some of these barriers. We have seen in states such as Kaduna and Kano, where innovative leaders have found ways to implement reforms that have helped them ease land administration, by introducing efficiency into land titling and property registration despite the limitations of the Land Use Act. We must think out of the box, innovate and learn to do things differently.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga, said with estimated 28 million housing deficit across the federation, the nation’s economic capital was improving the sub-sector through regulation, training of artisans, joint venture and private partnership to increase supply and provide an enabling environment for investors in the value chain.

Director/Head of Department, Land and Housing Development, Federal Housing and Urban Development, Felix Appah, explained that the conference was for major stakeholders to brainstorm on a model that harnesses the invaluable resource, tackles burning issues and formulates strategies for better land administration and enhanced income.