CHSD 2nd Int’l Conference & Fair on Land Development

Participants at the Second International Conference and Fair on Land and Development, hosted by the University of Lagos, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among land administrators, financial institutions, and the judiciary to enhance Nigeria’s land use system. This call to action stems from repeated but unsuccessful attempts to amend the 1978 Land Use Act, which has hindered optimal land utilization for national growth and development.

With the theme Sustainable Land Management for Inclusive Development in African Cities, the conference began on November 27, 2024, at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, UNILAG. The event featured discussions on addressing land management challenges in Africa.

In his opening remarks, Professor Timothy Nubi, Director of the UNILAG Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, highlighted disparities in global real estate distribution. He noted that while Europe and North America control 47% of global real estate value with just 17% of the world’s population, Africa and Asia hold significantly less value despite rapid urbanization. Prof. Nubi underscored the untapped potential of Africa’s land resources and expressed hope for actionable strategies from the conference.

The keynote address, delivered by Surveyor Chime Ogochukwu, Chairman of the National Land Reform Committee, reviewed Nigeria’s land governance before and after the 1978 Land Use Decree. It explored challenges like conflicting policies and administrative bottlenecks, efforts to amend the Act, and the progress of the Ministerial Land Reform Task Team. He proposed collaborative measures to streamline land use management and achieve reform objectives.

Professor Modupe Omirin, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at UNILAG, delivered a lead paper on Land Accessibility Constraints to Real Estate Development in Nigeria. She addressed issues of land affordability, availability, security, and ease of transactions. Prof. Omirin recommended solutions such as land swap approaches, compact city principles, urban regeneration, and investments in new towns and infrastructure, supported by reliable data for forward-looking planning.

Goodwill messages from organizations like the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Lagos State Land Bureau, and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Lands expressed readiness to collaborate on improving land use systems.

A panel session focused on challenges related to land rights and planning permits for real estate development. Panelists included representatives from various professional bodies, real estate organizations, and international land management experts.

• Second Vice-President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Tpl. Toyin Ayinde;
• General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Tpl Kehinde Osinaike;
• Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago;
• President, Real Estate Developer Association, Barrister Akintoye Adeoye;
• Founder and Country Lead, Cromwell Professional Services International Limited; Barrister (Surveyor) Olusola Enitan;
• Project Coordinator, Sierra Leone Land Administration Project, Dr Alphajoh Cham; and
• CEO, Proxchange Technologies Ltd-Innovation Solutions to Land Management, Ike Okechukwu.

They discussed current barriers and the need for agency collaboration to strengthen land administration in Nigeria.

Organized by the UNILAG Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, under the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Urbanization and Habitable Cities, the conference aims to foster partnerships and actionable strategies to address urban and land management challenges in Africa. The event concludes on November 29, 2024.

Report: Gbenga Gbelee

Photography: Boluwatife Adeniran