FG to Unlock $150bn Dormant Land Capital to Drive Economic Growth
The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to unlock over $150 billion in dormant land capital across the country. This initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, aims to boost the nation’s economic growth by formalizing land titles and creating a transparent land market. The announcement came during a workshop in Lagos, where Dangiwa unveiled the National Land Registration, Documentation, and Titling Programme (NLRDTP).
Reforming Nigeria’s Land Administration System
According to Dangiwa, less than five percent of land in Nigeria is formally titled. This lack of secure land ownership documentation has left much of the country’s land resources underutilized. He highlighted that billions of naira in potential Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are untapped for state governments, while the Federal Government has an estimated $300 billion in “dead capital” tied up in unused land.
The new program, called Land4Growth, aims to change that by turning dormant land into a productive asset for individuals, businesses, and states. The initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to increase formal land registration by at least 50% over the next decade.
Land4Growth Program: A Vision for Economic Prosperity
The Land4Growth program is not just a reform of land administration but a strategic economic initiative. It seeks to replace Nigeria’s fragmented, opaque, and paper-based land system with a digitized, transparent, and efficient national framework. By deploying Land Information Systems (LIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the government aims to streamline processes, reduce transaction times, and enhance property valuation.
Dangiwa explained that the program will significantly boost economic activity by formalizing land markets and improving property taxation, increasing revenue for states and fostering investment. Additionally, the program aims to improve housing delivery, strengthen land rights for individuals and communities, and make land a key driver of credit access and investment.
State Governments and the Role of National Support
The program will be led by the state governments, with federal support to enhance the process. Dangiwa reassured the states that they would retain full control over land matters, in line with the Land Use Act, which grants states authority over land. The federal government will provide technical support, funding, and training to states, working in partnership with international bodies like the World Bank.
This approach aims to reduce the financial burden on states by providing them with the resources they need to manage land registration processes effectively.
Initial Phases and Citizen Benefits
The first phase of the Land4Growth program will focus on 18 to 20 reform-ready states. The goal is to issue over one million digital land titles and train more than 2,000 professionals. This will be supported by the deployment of LIS and GIS systems, the creation of a National Land Information Repository, and the establishment of a Harmonised Land Governance Structure.
For citizens, the Land4Growth program will provide secure land titles, improving access to credit and reducing land disputes. For states, it will increase IGR, attract investment, and improve urban planning through better land records.
A Foundation for Sustainable Growth
Dangiwa emphasized that the program will form the foundation for sustainable housing, agriculture, infrastructure, and overall economic growth in Nigeria. By unlocking the potential of dormant land capital, the Land4Growth program promises to contribute to long-term prosperity and development.
