Experts Advocate Synergy for Improved Land Use System at UNILAG International Conference
Stakeholders at the Second International Conference and Fair on Land and Development, hosted by the UNILAG, have called for enhanced collaboration among land administrators, financial institutions, and the judiciary to reform Nigeria’s land use system.
UBA CHIDINMA 
Stakeholders at the Second International Conference and Fair on Land and Development, hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG), have called for enhanced collaboration among land administrators, financial institutions, and the judiciary to reform Nigeria’s land use system.
Themed Sustainable Land Management for Inclusive Development in African Cities, the conference, which began on November 27, 2024, highlighted the persistent challenges posed by the 1978 Land Use Act, which continues to limit optimal land utilization for national development.
In his opening remarks, Professor Timothy Nubi, Director of the UNILAG Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, decried Africa’s underutilized real estate potential, noting that the continent holds minimal global estate value despite rapid urbanization. He expressed hope for actionable solutions from the conference.
Surveyor Chime Ogochukwu, Chairman of the National Land Reform Committee, traced Nigeria’s land governance journey in his keynote address, underscoring the need for policy alignment and streamlined administration to address existing challenges.
Professor Modupe Omirin, Dean of Environmental Sciences, UNILAG, in her lead paper, recommended strategies like land swaps, compact city principles, and futuristic urban planning to address accessibility constraints and maximize land use.
The event, featuring goodwill messages and a panel session with top professionals, aims to bridge academia and practice, fostering collaborative solutions to Africa’s urban and land management challenges. The conference concludes on November 29, 2024.
