Land reform, security of tenure and environmental conservation in Nigeria

This paper is a review of the Land Use Act of 1978 with a view to examining the implications of the Act for security of tenure and environmental conservation. The review indicates that while the inalienation of rights of use and ownership of land under the communal or group ownership tenure system limited access to land and security of tenure, it encouraged the protection and conservation of land resources and the physical environment. The land reform (Land Use Act) of 1978 on the other hand promoted and consolidated individual rights of use and alienation, which stimulated the development of a speculative land market. The existence of a speculative land market is a disincentive to land resource conservation and environmental protection. A review of the reform, which will change or modify the conditions of tenure without changing ownership or redistributing land, is required. This will predispose landowners to conserve and protect land resources.Keywords: tenure system, environment, conservation, communal ownership, reformInternational Journal of Agricultural and Rural Development Vol. 5 2004: 86-90