The Federal Government has sought the cooperation of the 36 state governments to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed National Land Registration and Titling Programme, as well as the establishment of a National Land Commission.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, made this known on Thursday during a media chat in Abuja following a closed-door meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Dangiwa explained that the engagement was aimed at briefing the Governors on progress made under the “Renewal of Cities and Estates Programme,” and to appeal to states that have yet to provide the required land for federal housing projects.
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He said: “Our engagement with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was to brief them on the progress of the Renewal of Cities and Estates Programme and to request the allocation of land from states that have not yet provided what is needed.
“Secondly, we discussed the impending National Land Registration and Titling Programme, which requires collaboration with state governments, especially as it ties into the proposed establishment of the National Land Commission. This Commission is intended to operationalise the Land Use Act, which is enshrined in the Constitution.
“We needed to clarify to the Governors that this initiative is not an attempt to usurp their powers under the Land Use Act, but rather to foster federal-state collaboration.”
He noted that the way forward would involve further dialogue, including the creation of a joint committee comprising representatives from the federal and state governments.
Dangiwa further revealed that the federal government’s earlier attempt to establish a land tax team was stalled due to the absence of input from the states, prompting this renewed round of consultations.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State confirmed that the Forum had received a detailed presentation from the Minister on unlocking the economic potential of land through a federal-state partnership for land reform.
He said: “The Minister outlined current housing projects under the Renewed Hope Programme and proposed a comprehensive land registration reform aimed at formalising land ownership, strengthening tenure security, and boosting internally generated revenue (IGR) across states.”
The Governors applauded the initiative, citing its potential to catalyse investment, improve urban planning, and enhance land-based revenue generation.
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