FG to convert unregistered land to assets, targets $300bn revenue boost

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major initiative to boost its revenue by converting over $300 billion worth of unregistered land into viable assets.

This effort, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, aims to address the significant issue of undocumented land assets, which currently account for 90% of the total land holdings in the country.

During a recent courtesy visit to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, by a World Bank delegation led by Vice President for Infrastructure, Guangzhe Chen, the scale of the challenge was highlighted. The Minister revealed that more than 90% of land in Nigeria remains unregistered and untitled.

The ministry’s objectives include registering, documenting, and titling all land parcels within the next five years.

Additionally, they plan to develop a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) and increase the formalization of land transactions from less than 10% to over 50% within the next decade.

“We aim to, among other objectives, register, document, and title all land parcels within five years; develop and launch a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) and define a framework that makes it accessible to all stakeholders; increase the formalisation of land transactions from less than 10 per cent to over 50 per cent in the next 10 years; and train and deploy technically competent land registration officers nationwide,” Dangiwa stated.

He also noted successful examples from states such as Kaduna and Nasarawa, which have implemented effective land registration systems using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

“These states have not only been able to significantly improve land registrations but have also generated substantial revenues in the process,” Dangiwa observed.

The initiative also includes a focus on urban livability, the development of a framework to overcome systemic barriers in the housing value chain, and the enhancement of private and affordable housing investments.

“Implementation of the approved National Urban Development Policy is a key priority of the administration of Mr. President.

“We have to create the necessary frameworks towards an effective, impactful, and sustainable implementation towards improving the management of our urban areas and improving service delivery,” Dangiwa emphasised.

He further highlighted the importance of the World Bank’s technical expertise in this endeavour.

“The third focus area is the development of a framework towards addressing the systemic barriers along the housing value chain. Doing this will help us to enhance private, affordable housing investments,” he said.

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