EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF LAND LAW ON REAL ESTATES DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING IN NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT This project explores the impact of land law on real estate development and housing delivery in Nigeria. It aims to understand how existing legal frameworks, particularly the Land Use Act of 1978, affect access to land, land tenure security, and the processes involved in property development. Given the importance of land as the foundation for all real estate activities, the study investigates the legal challenges and administrative bottlenecks that developers, investors, and individuals face in acquiring and using land for housing. The research adopts a doctrinal approach, reviewing key legislations, judicial decisions, and scholarly opinions to assess the role of both statutory and customary land tenure systems in Nigeria. It finds that while the Land Use Act was intended to simplify land administration and promote equitable access, it has instead contributed to several issues including excessive control by state governors, long delays in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy, and confusion between customary and statutory land rights. These legal and institutional weaknesses have created uncertainty and increased the cost and difficulty of developing real estate, particularly in urban areas. Furthermore, the project highlights how weak enforcement of land laws, corruption in land administration, and overlapping authorities contribute to land disputes and limit affordable housing initiatives. This has led to a housing deficit in Nigeria, affecting both low-income and middle-income earners. The study concludes that meaningful reform is needed in Nigeria’s land law system to support sustainable real estate development and improve housing access. It recommends clearer legal provisions, faster land registration processes, better coordination between statutory and customary land institutions, and greater public awareness of land rights as critical steps toward solving Nigeria’s housing challenges.