Why Tinubu Must Prioritize Land Reform to Unlock Nigeria’s Economic Growth

Nigeria’s outdated land administration remains a major barrier to housing, agriculture and industry. The Land Use Act grants governors broad control but has evolved into a costly and slow system that locks trillions of naira in ‘dead capital’. Most land titles take months or years to secure and can cost up to 30 percent of a property’s value. As a result, only a small fraction of homes and commercial properties are formally registered or used as collateral. This stalls mortgage lending, business expansion and large-scale farming. Real progress depends on amending the Land Use Act, decentralizing authority and digitizing land records. A transparent, affordable and efficient registry—backed by reduced fees and nationwide cadastral mapping—would empower banks to extend mortgages, encourage investment and unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential.

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