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LAND USE ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
General
SECTION
- Vesting of all land in the State.
- Control and management of land; advisory bodies.
- Designation of urban areas.
- Applicable law for the interim management of land.
PART II
Principles of land tenure, powers of Governor and local governments, and rights of occupiers
5. Powers of the Governor in relation to land.
6. Powers of local government in relation to land not in urban areas.
7. Restriction on rights of persons under the age of 21.
8. Special contracts.
9. Certificates of occupancy.
10. Conditions and provisions implied in certificate of occupancy.
11. Power of Governor or public officer to enter and inspect land and improvements.
12. Power of Governor to grant licences to take building materials.
13. Duty of occupier of statutory right of occupancy to maintain beacons.
14. Exclusive rights of occupiers.
15. The right of improvements.
PART III
Rents
16. Principles to be observed in fixing and revising rents.
17. Power of Governor to grant rights of occupancy free of rent or at reduced rent.
18. Acceptance of rent not to operate as a waiver of forfeiture.
19. Penal rent.
20. Additional penal rent for unlawful alienation.
PART IV
Alienation and surrender of rights of occupancy
21. Prohibition of alienation of customary right of occupancy except with requisite consent or
approval.
22. Prohibition of alienation of statutory right of occupancy without the consent of Governor.
23.Sub-underleases,
24.Devolution of rights of occupancy on death.
25.Effect of deed or will where non-customary law applies.
26.Null-and-void transactions and instruments.
27.Surrender of statutory rights of occupancy.
PART V
Revocation of rights of occupancy and compensation therefore
- Power of Governor to revoke rights of occupancy.
- Compensation payable on revocation of right of occupancy by Governor in certain cases.
- Reference of dispute as to compensation.
31 . Exclusion of the application of the Public Lands Acquisition (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1976.
- Debt due to Government not extinguished by revocation.
- Option to accept resettlement in case of revocation of right of occupancy.
PART VI
Transitional and other related provisions
- Transitional provisions on land in urban areas.
- Compensation for improvements in certain cases.
- Transitional provisions on land not in urban areas.
- Penalty for false claims, etc., in respect of land.
- Preservation of power of Governor to revoke rights of occupancy.
PART VII
Jurisdiction of High Courts and other courts
- Jurisdiction of High Courts.
- Special provisions in respect of pending proceedings.
- Jurisdiction of area courts or customary courts, etc.
42. Proceedings for recovery of rent in respect of certificate of occupancy, etc.
PART VIII
Supplemental
43. Prohibition of, and penalties for, unauthorised use of land.
44. Service of notices.
45. Delegation of powers.
46. Power to make regulations.
47. Exclusion of certain proceedings.
48. Modification of existing laws.
49. Exemption with respect to Federal Government lands, etc.
50. Validity of laws, etc.
51. Interpretation.
52. Short title.
CHAPTER L5
LAND USE ACT
An Act to vest all land comprised in the territory of each State (except land vested in
the Federal Government or its agencies) solely in the Governor of the State, who
would hold such land in trust for the people and would henceforth be responsible
for allocation of land in all urban areas to individuals resident in the State and to
organisations for residential, agricultural, commercial and other purposes while
similar powers with respect to non-urban areas are conferred on Local Governments.
[1978 No. 6.)
[29th March, 1978]
[Commencement.)
PART I
General
- Vesting of all land in the State
Subject to the provisions of this Act, all land comprised in the territory of each State
in the Federation is hereby vested in the Governor of that State, and such land shall be
held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accor-
dance with the provisions of this Act.
- Control and management of land; advisory bodies
(1) As from the commencement of this Act-
(a) all land in urban areas shall be under the control and management of the Gov-
ernor of each State; and
(b) all other land shall, subject to this Act, be under the control and management
of the local government within the area of jurisdiction of which the land is
situated.
(2) There shall be established in each State a body to be known as “the Land Use and
Allocation Committee” which shall have responsibility for-
(a) advising the Governor on any matter connected with the management of land
to which paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section relates;
(b) advising the Governor on any matter connected with the resettlement of per-
sons affected by the revocation of rights of occupancy on the ground of over-
riding public interest under this Act; and
(c) determining disputes as to the amount of compensation payable under this Act
for improvements on land.
(3) The Land Use and Allocation Committee shall consist of such a number of per-
sons as the Governor may determine and shall include in its membership–
(a) not less than two persons possessing qualifications approved for appointment
to the civil service as estate surveyors or land officers and who have had such
qualification for not less than five years; and
(b) a legal practitioner.
(4) The Land Use and Allocation Committee shall be presided over by such one of its
members as may be designated by the Governor and, subject to such directions as may be
given in that regard by the Governor, shall have power to regulate its proceedings.
(5) There shall also be established for each Local Government a body to be known as
“the Land Allocation Advisory Committee” which shall consist of such person as may be
determined by the Governor acting after consultation with the local government and shall
have responsibility for advising the local government on any matter connected with the
management of land to which paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section relates.
- Designation of urban areas
Subject to such general conditions as may be specified in that behalf by the National
Council of States, the Governor may for the purposes of this Act by order published in
the State Gazette designate the parts of the area of the territory of the State constituting
land in an urban area.
- Applicable law for the interim management of land
Until other provisions are made in that behalf and, subject to the provisions of this
Act, land under the control and management of the Governor under this Act shall be ad-
ministered-
(a) in the case of any State where the Land Tenure Law of the former Northern
Nigeria applies, in accordance with the provisions of that law; and
(b) in every other case, in accordance with the provisions of the State Land Law
applicable in respect of State land in the State,
and the provisions of the Land Tenure Law or the State Land Law, as the case may be,
shall have effect with such modifications as would bring those laws into conformity with
this Act or its general intendment.
PART II
Principles of land tenure, powers of Governor and local governments,
and rights of occupiers
- Powers of the Governor in relation to land
(1) It shall be lawful for the Governor in respect of land, whether or not in an urban
area to–
(a) grant statutory rights of occupancy to any person for all purposes;
(b) grant easements appurtenant to statutory rights of occupancy;
(c) demand rental for any such land granted to any person;
(d) revise the said rental-
(i) at such intervals as may be specified in the certificate of occupancy; or
(ii) where no intervals are specified in the certificate of occupancy at any time during the term of the statutory right of occupancy;
(e) impose a penal rent for a breach of any covenant in a certificate of occupancy
requiring the holder to develop or effect improvements on the land, the subject
of the certificate of occupancy, and to revise such penal rent as provided in
section 19 of this Act;
(f) impose a penal rent for a breach of any condition, express or implied, which
precludes the holder of a statutory right of occupancy from alienating the right
of occupancy or any part thereof by sale, mortgage, transfer of possession, sub-
lease or bequest or otherwise howsoever without the prior consent of the Governor;
(g) waive, wholly or partially, except as otherwise prescribed, all or any of the cove-
nants or conditions to which a statutory right of occupancy is subject where,
owing to special circumstances, compliance therewith would be impossible or
great hardship would be imposed upon the holder;
(h) extend except as otherwise prescribed, the time to the holder of a statutory
right of occupancy for performing any of the conditions of the right of occu-
pancy upon such terms and conditions as he may think fit.
(2) Upon the grant of a statutory right of occupancy under the provisions of subsec-
tion (1) of this section, all existing rights to the use and occupation of the land, which is
the subject of the statutory right of occupancy, shall be extinguished.
- Powers of local government in relation to land not in urban areas
(1) It shall be lawful for a local government in respect of land not in an urban area
to-
(a) grant customary rights of occupancy to any person or organisation for the use
of land in the local government area for agricultural, residential and other pur-
poses;
(b) grant customary rights of occupancy to any person or organisation for the use
of land for grazing purposes and such other purposes ancillary to agricultural
purposes as may be customary in the local government area concerned.
(2) No single customary right of occupancy shall be granted in respect of an area of
land in excess of 500 hectares if granted for agricultural purposes, or 5,000 hectares if
granted for grazing purposes, except with the consent of the Governor.
(3) It shall be lawful for a local government to enter upon, use and occupy for public
purposes any land within the area of its jurisdiction which is not-
(a) land within an area declared to be an urban area pursuant to section 3 of this Act;
(b) the subject of a statutory right of occupancy;
(c) within any area compulsorily acquired by the Government of the Federation or
of the State concerned;
(d) the subject of any laws relating to minerals or mineral oils,
and for the purpose, to revoke any customary right of occupancy on any such land.
(4) The local government shall have exclusive rights to the lands so occupied against
all persons except the Governor.
(5) The holder and the occupier according to their respective interests of any custom-
ary right of occupancy revoked under subsection (3) of this section shall be entitled to
compensation, for the value at the date of revocation, of their unexhausted improvements.
(6) Where land in respect of which a customary right of occupancy is revoked under
this Act was used for agricultural purposes by the holder, the local government shall allo-
cate to such holder alternative land for use for the same purpose.
(7) If a local government refuses or neglects within a reasonable time to pay compen-
sation to a holder and an occupier according to their respective interests under the provi-
sions of subsection (5) of this section, the Governor may proceed to the assessment of
compensation under section 29 of this Act and direct the local government to pay the
amount of such compensation to the holder and occupier according to their respective
interests.
- Restriction on rights of persons under the age of 21
It shall not be lawful for the Governor to grant a statutory right of occupancy or con-
sent to the assignment or subletting of a statutory right of occupancy to a person under
the age of 21 years:
Provided that-
(a) where a guardian or trustee of a person under the age of 21 years has been duly
appointed for such purpose, the Governor may grant or consent to the assign-
ment or subletting of a statutory right of occupancy to such guardian or trustee
on behalf of such person under age;
(b) a person under the age of 21 years upon whom a statutory right of occupancy
devolves on the death of the holder, shall have the same liabilities and obliga-
tions under and in respect of his right of occupancy as if he were of full age,
notwithstanding the fact that no guardian or trustee has been appointed for
him.
- Special contracts
Statutory right of occupancy granted under the provisions of section 5 (1) (a) of this
Act shall be for a definite term and may be granted subject to the terms of any contract
which may be made by the Governor and the holder not being inconsistent with the pro-
visions of this Act.
9. Certificates of occupancy
(1) It shall be lawful for the Governor-
(a) when granting a statutory right of occupancy to any person; or
(b) when any person is in occupation of land under a customary right of occu-
pancy and applies in the prescribed manner; or
(c) when any person is entitled to a statutory right of occupancy,
to issue a certificate under his hand in evidence of such right of occupancy.
(2) Such certificate shall be termed a certificate of occupancy and there shall be paid
therefor, by the person in whose name it is issued, such fee (if any) as may be prescribed.
(3) If the person in whose name a certificate of occupancy is issued, without lawful
excuse, refuses or neglects to accept and pay for the certificate, the Governor may cancel
the certificate and recover from such person any expenses incidental thereto, and in the
case of a certificate evidencing a statutory right of occupancy to be granted under para-
graph (a) of subsection (1) of this section, the Governor may revoke the statutory right of
occupancy.
(4) The terms and conditions of a certificate of occupancy granted under this Act and
which has been accepted by the holder shall be enforceable against the holder and his
successors in title, notwithstanding that the acceptance of such terms and conditions is
not evidenced by the signature of the holder or is evidenced by the signature only or, in
the case of a corporation, is evidenced by the signature only of some person purporting to
accept on behalf of the corporation.
10. Conditions and provisions implied in certificate of occupancy
Every certificate of occupancy shall be deemed to contain provisions to the following
effect-
(a) that the holder binds himself to pay to the Governor the amount found to be
payable in respect of any unexhausted improvements existing on the land at
the date of his entering into occupation;
(b) that the holder binds himself to pay to the Governor the rent fixed by the Gov-
ernor and any rent which may be agreed or fixed on revision in accordance
with the provisions of section 16 of this Act.
11. Power of Governor or public officer to enter and inspect land and improvements
The Governor or any public officer duly authorised by the Governor in that behalf,
shall have the power to enter upon and inspect the land comprised in any statutory right
of occupancy or any improvements effected thereon, at any reasonable hours in the day
time, and the occupier shall permit and give free access to the Governor or any such offi-
cer to enter and inspect.
12. Power of Governor to grant licences to take building materials
(1) It shall be lawful for the Governor to grant a licence to any person to enter upon
any land which is not the subject of a statutory right of occupancy or of a mining lease,
mining right or exclusive prospecting licence granted under the Minerals and Mining Act
or any other enactment, and remove or extract therefrom any stone, gravel, clay, sand or
other similar substance (not being a mineral within the meaning assigned to that term in the Minerals and Mining Act) that may be required for building or for the manufacture of
building materials.
[Cap. M12.]
(2) Any such licence may be granted for such period and subject to such conditions
as the Governor may think proper or as may be prescribed.
(3) No such licence shall be granted in respect of an area exceeding 400 hectares.
(4) It shall not be lawful for any licensee to transfer his licence in any manner what-
soever without the consent of the Governor first had and obtained, and such transfer ef-
fected without the consent of the Governor shall be null and void.
(5) The Governor may cancel any such licence if the licensee fails to comply with
any of the conditions of the licence.
13. Duty of occupier of statutory right of occupancy to maintain beacons
(1) The occupier of a statutory right of occupancy shall at all times maintain in good
and substantial repair to the satisfaction of the Governor, or of such public officer as the
Governor may appoint in that behalf, all beacons or other land marks by which the bound-
aries of the land comprised in the statutory right of occupancy are defined and in default
of his so doing the Governor or such public officer as aforesaid may by notice in writing
require the occupier to define the boundaries in the manner and within the time specified
in such notice.
(2) If the occupier of a statutory right of occupancy fails to comply with a notice
served under subsection (1) of this section he shall be liable to pay the expenses (if any)
incurred by the Governor in defining the boundaries which the occupier has neglected to
define.
14. Exclusive rights of occupiers
Subject to the other provisions of this Act and of any laws relating to way leaves, to
prospecting for minerals or mineral oils or to mining or to oil pipelines and subject to the
terms and conditions of any contract made under section 8 of this Act, the occupier shall
have exclusive rights to the land the subject of the statutory right of occupancy against all
persons other than the Governor.
15. The right to improvements
During the term of a statutory right of occupancy the holder-
(a) shall have the sole right to and absolute possession of all the improvements on
the land;
(b) may, subject to the prior consent of the Governor, transfer, assign or mortgage
any improvements on the land which have been effected pursuant to the terms
and conditions of the certificate of occupancy relating to the land.
PART III
Rents
16. Principles to be observed in fixing and revising rents
In determining the amount of the original rent to be fixed for any particular land and
the amount of the revised rent to be fixed on any subsequent revision of rent, the Governor-
(a) shall take into consideration the rent previously fixed in respect of any other
land in the immediate neighbourhood and shall have regard to all the circum-
stances of the case;
(b) shall not take into consideration any value due to capital expended upon the
land by the same or any previous occupier during his term or terms of occu-
pancy, or any increase in the value of the land the rental of which is under con-
sideration, due to the employment of such capital.
17. Power of Governor to grant rights of occupancy free of rent or at reduced rent
(1) The Governor may grant a statutory right of occupancy free of rent or at a re-
duced rent in any case in which he is satisfied that it would be in the public interest to do
so.
(2) Where a statutory right of occupancy has been granted free of rent, the Governor
may, subject to the express provisions of the certificate of occupancy, nevertheless im-
pose a rent in respect of the land the subject of the right of occupancy if and when he may
think fit.
18. Acceptance of rent not to operate as a waiver of forfeiture
Subject to the provisions of sections 20 and 21 of this Act, the acceptance by or on
behalf of the Governor of any rent shall not operate as a waiver by the Governor of any
forfeiture accruing by reason of the breach of any covenant or condition, express or im-
plied, in any certificate of occupancy granted under this Act.
19. Penal rent
(1) When in any certificate of occupancy the holder has covenanted to develop or ef-
fect improvements on the land, the subject of the certificate of occupancy, and has com-
mitted a breach of such covenant the Governor may-
(a) at the time of such breach or at any time thereafter, so long as the breach re-
mains unremedied, fix a penal rent which shall be payable for twelve months
from the date of such breach; and
(b) on the expiration of twelve months from the date of such breach and on the
expiration of every subsequent twelve months so long as the breach continues,
revise the penal rent to be paid.
(2) Such penal rent or any revision thereof shall be in addition to the rent reserved by
the certificate of occupancy and shall be recoverable as rent:
Provided that the first penal rent fixed shall not exceed the rent so reserved and any
revised penal rent shall not exceed double the penal rent payable in respect of the twelve
months preceding the date of revision.
(3) If the Governor fixes or revises a penal rent, he shall cause a notice in writing to
be sent to the holder informing him of the amount thereof and the rent so fixed or revised
shall commence to be payable one calendar month from the date of the receipt of such
notice.
(4) If the breach for which a penal rent has been imposed is remedied before the expi-
ration of the period for which such rent has been paid, the Governor may in his discretion
refund such portion of the penal rent paid for such period as he may think fit.
(5) The fact that a penal rent or a revised penal rent has been imposed shall not pre-
clude the Governor, in lieu of fixing a subsequent penal rent, from revoking the statutory
right of occupancy:
Provided that the statutory right of occupancy shall not be revoked during the pe-
riod for which a penal rent has been paid.
20. Additional penal rent for unlawful alienation
(1) If there has been any breach of any of the provisions of section 22 or 23 of this
Act, the Governor may in lieu of revoking the statutory right of occupancy concerned,
demand that the holder shall pay an additional and penal rent for and in respect of each
day during which the land the subject of the statutory right of occupancy or any portion
thereof or any buildings or other works erected thereon shall be or remain in the posses-
sion, control or occupation of any person whomsoever other than the holder.
(2) Such additional and penal rent shall be payable upon demand and shall be recov-
erable as rent.
(3) The acceptance by or on behalf of the Governor of any such additional and penal
rent shall not operate as a waiver by the Governor of any breach of section 22 or 23 of
this Act which may continue after the date up to and in respect of which such additional
and penal rent has been paid or is due and owing and the Governor shall accordingly be
entitled to exercise in respect of any such continuing breach all or any of the powers con-
ferred upon him by this Act.
PART IV
Alienation and surrender of rights of occupancy
21. Prohibition of alienation of customary right of occupancy except with requisite
consent or approval
It shall not be lawful for any customary right of occupancy or any part thereof to be
alienated by assignment, mortgage, transfer of possession, sublease or otherwise howso-
ever-
(a) without the consent of the Governor in cases where the property is to be sold
by or under the order of any court under the provisions of the applicable Sher-
iffs and Civil Process Law; or
(b) in other cases without the approval of the appropriate local government.
22. Prohibition of alienation of statutory right of occupancy without consent of Governor
(1) It shall not be lawful for the holder of a statutory right of occupancy granted by
the Governor to alienate his right of occupancy or any part thereof by assignment, mort-
gage, transfer of possession, sublease or otherwise howsoever without the consent of the
Governor first had and obtained:
Provided that the consent of the Governor-
(a) shall not be required to the creation of a legal mortgage over a statutory right
of occupancy in favour of a person in whose favour an equitable mortgage
over the right of occupancy has already been created with the consent of the
Governor;
(b) shall not be required to the reconveyance or release by a mortgagee to a holder
or occupier of a statutory right of occupancy which that holder or occupier has
mortgaged to that mortgagee with the consent of the Governor;
(c) to the renewal of a sub-lease shall not be presumed by reason only of his hav-
ing consented to the grant of a sub-lease containing an option to renew the
same.
(2) The Governor when giving his consent to an assignment, mortgage or sub-lease
may require the holder of a statutory right of occupancy to submit an instrument executed
in evidence of the assignment, mortgage or sub-lease and the holder shall when so re-
quired deliver the said instrument to the Governor in order that the consent given by the
Governor under subsection (1) of this section may be signified by endorsement thereon.
23. Sub-underleases
(1) A sub-lessee of a statutory right of occupancy may, with the prior consent of the
Governor and with the approval of the holder of the statutory right of occupancy, demise
by way of sub-underlease to another person the land comprised in the sub-lease held by
him or any portion of the land.
(2) The provisions of subsection (2) of section 22 of this Act shall apply mutatis mu-
tandis to any transaction effected under subsection (1) of this section as if it were a sub-
lease granted under section 22 of this Act.
24. Devolution of rights of occupancy on death
The devolution of the rights of an occupier upon death shall-
(a) in the case of a customary right of occupancy, unless non-customary law or
any other customary law applies, be regulated by the customary law existing in
the locality in which the land is situated; and
(b) in the case of a statutory right of occupancy (unless any non-customary law or
other customary law applies) be regulated by the customary law of the de-
ceased occupier at the time of his death relating to the distribution of property
of like nature to a right of occupancy:
Provided that
(c) no customary law prohibiting, restricting or regulating the devolution on death
to any particular class of persons or the right to occupy any land shall operate
to deprive any person of any beneficial interest in such land (other than the
right to occupy the same) or in the proceeds of sale thereof to which he may be
entitled under the rules of inheritance of any other customary law;
(d) a statutory right of occupancy shall not be divided into two or more parts on
devolution by the death of the occupier, except with the consent of the Gover-
nor.
25. Effect of deed or will where non-customary law applies
In the case of the devolution or transfer of rights to which any non-customary law ap-
plies, no deed or will shall operate to create any proprietary right over land except that of
a plain transfer of the whole of the rights of occupation over the whole of the land.
26. Null-and-void transactions and instruments
Any transaction or any instrument which purports to confer on or vest in any person
any interest or right over land other than in accordance with the provisions of this Act
shall be null and void.
27. Surrender of statutory rights of occupancy
The Governor may accept on such terms and conditions as he may think proper the
surrender of any statutory right of occupancy granted under this Act.
PART V
Revocation of rights of occupancy and compensation therefor
28. Power of Governor to revoke rights of occupancy
(1) It shall be lawful for the Governor to revoke a right of occupancy for overriding
public interest.
(2) Overriding public interest in the case of a statutory right of occupancy means-
(c) the alienation by the occupier by assignment, mortgage, transfer of possession,
sub-lease, or otherwise of any right of occupancy or part thereof contrary to
the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made thereunder;
(b) the requirement of the land by the Government of the State or by a Local Gov-
ernment in the State, in either case for public purposes within the State, or the
requirement of the land by the Government of the Federation for public pur-
poses of the Federation;
(c) the requirement of the land for mining purposes or oil pipelines or for any pur-
pose connected therewith.
(3) Overriding public interest in the case of a customary right of occupancy means-
(a) the requirement of the land by the Government of the State or by a Local Gov-
ernment in the State, in either case for public purposes within the State, or the
requirement of the land by the Government of the Federation for public pur-
poses of the Federation;
(b) the requirement of the land for mining purposes or oil pipelines or for any pur-
pose connected therewith;
(c) the requirement of the land for the extraction of building materials;
(d) the alienation by the occupier by sale, assignment, mortgage, transfer of possession, sub-lease, bequest or otherwise of the right of occupancy without the
requisite consent or approval.
(4) The Governor shall revoke a right of occupancy in the event of the issue of a no-
tice by or on behalf of the President if such notice declares such land to be required by
the Government for public purposes.
(5) The Governor may revoke a statutory right of occupancy on the ground of-
(a) a breach of any of the provisions which a certificate of occupancy is by sec-
tion 10 of this Act deemed to contain;
(b) a breach of any term contained in the certificate of occupancy or in any special
contract made under section 8 of this Act;
(c) a refusal or neglect to accept and pay for a certificate which was issued in evidence of a right of occupancy but has been cancelled by the governor under
subsection (3) of section 9 of this Act.
(6) The revocation of a right of occupancy shall be signified under the hand of a pub-
lic officer duly authorised in that behalf by the Governor and notice thereof shall be given
to the holder.
(7) The title of the holder of a right of occupancy shall be extinguished on receipt by
him of a notice given under subsection (6) of this section or on such later date as may be
stated in the notice.
29. Compensation payable on revocation of right of occupancy by Governor in cer-
tain cases
(1) If a right of occupancy is revoked for the cause set out in paragraph (b) of sub-
section (2) of section 28 of this Act or in paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (3) of the
same section, the holder and the occupier shall be entitled to compensation for the value
at the date of revocation of their unexhausted improvements.
(2) If a right of occupancy is revoked for the cause set out in paragraph (c) of subsec-
tion (2) of section 28 of this Act or in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of the same section
the holder and the occupier shall be entitled to compensation under the appropriate provi-
sions of the Minerals and Mining Act or the Petroleum Act or any legislation replacing
the same.
[Cap. M12. Cap. P10.]
(3) If the holder or the occupier entitled to compensation under this section is a
community the Governor may direct that any compensation payable to it shall be paid-
(a) to the community; or
(b) to the chief or leader of the community to be disposed of by him for the benefit
of the community in accordance with the applicable customary law; or
(c) into some fund specified by the Governor for the purpose of being utilised or
applied for the benefit of the community.
(4) Compensation under subsection (1) of this section shall be, as respects-
(a) the land, for an amount equal to the rent, if any, paid by the occupier during
the year in which the right of occupancy was revoked;
(b) buildings, installation or improvements thereon, for the amount of the replace-
ment cost of the building, installation or improvement, that is to say, such cost
as may be assessed on the basis of the prescribed method of assessment as de-
termined by the appropriate officer less any depreciation, together with interest
at the bank rate for delayed payment of compensation and in respect of any
improvement in the nature of reclamation works, being such cost thereof as
may be substantiated by documentary evidence and proof to the satisfaction of
the appropriate officer;
(c) crops on land apart from any building, installation or improvement thereon, for
an amount equal to the value as prescribed and determined by the appropriate
officer.
(5) Where the land in respect of which a right of occupancy has been revoked forms
part of a larger area, the compensation payable shall be computed as in subsection (4) (a)
of this section less a proportionate amount calculated in relation to that part of the area
not affected by the revocation, but of which the portion revoked forms a part and any
interest payable shall be assessed and computed in the like manner.
(6) Where there is any building, installation or improvement or crops on the land to
which subsection (5) of this section applies, then compensation shall be computed as
specified hereunder, that is as respects-
(a) such land, on the basis specified in that subsection;
(b) any building, installation or improvement or corps thereon (or any combination
of two or all of those things) on the basis specified in that subsection and sub-
section (4) of this section, or so much of those provisions as are applicable,
and any interest payable under those provisions shall be computed in the like manner.
(7) For the purposes of this section, “installation” means any mechanical apparatus
set up or put in position for use or materials set up in or on land or other equipment, but
excludes any fixture in or on any building.
30. Reference of dispute as to compensation
Where there arises any dispute as to the amount of compensation calculated in accor-
dance with the provisions of section 29 of this Act, such dispute shall be referred to the
appropriate Land Use and Allocation Committee.
31. Exclusion of the application of the Public Lands Acquisition (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act
The provisions of the Public Lands Acquisition (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act shall
not apply in respect of any land vested in, or taken over by, the Governor or any local
government pursuant to this Act or the right of occupancy to which is revoked under the provisions of this Act but shall continue to apply in respect of land compulsorily acquired
before the commencement of this Act.
[1976 No. 33.]
32. Debt due to Government not extinguished by revocation
The revocation of a statutory right of occupancy shall not operate to extinguish any
debt due to the Government under or in respect of such right of occupancy.
33. Option to accept resettlement in case of revocation of right of occupancy
(1) Where a right of occupancy in respect of any developed land on which a residen-
tial building has been erected is revoked under this Act, the Governor or the local gov-
ernment, as the case may be, may in his or its discretion offer in lieu of compensation
payable in accordance with the provisions of this Act, resettlement in any other place or
area by way of a reasonable alternative accommodation (if appropriate in the circum-
stances).
(2) Where the value of any alternative accommodation as determined by the appro-
priate officer or the Land Use and Allocation Committee is higher than the compensation
payable under this Act, the parties concerned may by agreement require that the excess in
value in relation to the property concerned shall be treated as a loan which the person
affected shall refund or repay to the Government in the prescribed manner.
(3) Where a person accepts a resettlement pursuant to subsection (1) of this section,
his right to compensation shall be deemed to have been duly satisfied and no further
compensation shall be payable to such person.
PART VI
Transitional and other related provisions
34. Transitional provisions on land in urban areas
(1) The following provisions of this section shall have effect in respect of land in an
urban area vested in any person immediately before the commencement of this Act.
(2) Where the land is developed the land shall continue to be held by the person in
whom it was vested immediately before the commencement of this Act as if the holder of
the land was the holder of a statutory right of occupancy issued by the Governor under
this Act.
(3) In respect of land to which subsection (2) of this section applies there shall be is-
sued by the Governor on application to him in the prescribed form a certificate of occu-
pancy if the Governor is satisfied that the land was, immediately before the commence-
ment of this Act, vested in that person.
(4) Where the land to which subsection (2) of this section applies was subject to any
mortgage, legal or equitable, or any encumbrance or interest valid in law such land shall
continue to be so subject and the certificate of occupancy issued, shall indicate that the
land is so subject, unless the continued operation of the encumbrance or interest would in
the opinion of the Governor be inconsistent with the provisions, or general intendment of
this Act.
(5) Where on the commencement of this Act the land is undeveloped, then-
(a) one plot or portion of the land not exceeding half of one hectare in area shall,
subject to subsection (6) of this section, continue to be held by the person in
whom the land was so vested as if the holder of the land was the holder of a
statutory right of occupancy granted by the Governor in respect of the plot or
portion as aforesaid under this Act; and
(b) all the rights formerly vested in the holder in respect of the excess of the land
shall on the commencement of this Act be extinguished and the excess of the
land shall be taken over by the Governor and administered as provided in this
Act.
(6) Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of this section shall not apply in the case of any
person who was on the commencement of this Act also the holder of any undeveloped
land elsewhere in any urban area in the State and in respect of such a person all his hold-
ings of undeveloped land in any urban area in the State shall be considered together and
out of the undeveloped land so considered together-
(a) one plot or portion not exceeding half of one hectare in area shall continue to
be held by such a person as if a right of occupancy had been granted to him by
the Governor in respect of that plot or portion; and
(b) the remainder of the land (so considered together) in excess of half of one
hectare shall be taken over by the Governor and administered in accordance
with this Act and the rights formerly vested in the holder in respect of such
land shall be extinguished.
(7) No land to which subsection (5) (a) or (6) of this section applies held by any per-
son shall be further subdivided or laid out in plots and no such land shall be transferred to
any person except with the prior consent in writing of the Governor.
(8) Any instrument purporting to transfer any undeveloped land in contravention of
subsection (7) of this section shall be void and of no effect whatsoever in law and any
party to any such instrument shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to im-
prisonment for one year or a fine of N5,000.
(9) In relation to land to which subsection (5) (a) or (6) (a) of this section applies
there shall be issued by the Governor on application therefor in the prescribed form a
certificate of occupancy if the Governor is satisfied that the land was immediately before
the commencement of this Act vested in that person.
35. Compensation for improvements in certain cases
(1) Section 34 of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding that the land in question
was held under a leasehold, whether customary or otherwise, and formed part of an estate
laid out by any person, group or family in whom the leasehold interest or reversion in
respect of the land was vested immediately before the commencement of this Act, so
however that if there has been any improvements on the land effected by the person,
group or family in whom the leasehold interest or reversion was vested as aforesaid the
Governor shall, in respect of the improvements, pay to that person, group or family, com-
pensation computed as specified in section 29 of this Act.
(2) There shall be deducted from the compensation payable under subsection (1) of
this section, any levy by way of development or similar charges paid in respect of the
improvements on the land by the lessee to the person, group or family in whom the lease-
hold interest or reversion was vested and the amount to be deducted shall be determined
by the Governor taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case.
36. Transitional provisions on land not in urban areas
(1) The following provisions of this section shall have effect in respect of land not in
an urban area which was immediately before the commencement of this Act held or oc-
cupied by any person.
(2) Any occupier or holder of such land, whether under customary rights or otherwise
howsoever, shall if that land was on the commencement of this Act being used for agri-
cultural purposes, continue to be entitled to possession of the land for use for agricultural
purposes as if a customary right of occupancy had been granted to the occupier or holder
thereof by the appropriate local government and the reference in this subsection to land
being used for agricultural purposes includes land which is, in accordance with the cus-
tomary law of the locality concerned, allowed to lie fallow for purposes of recuperation
of the soil.
(3) On the production to the local government by the occupier of such land, at his
discretion, of a sketch or diagram or other sufficient description of the land in question
and on application there for in the prescribed form the Local Government shall, if satisfied
that the occupier or holder was entitled to the possession of such land whether under cus-
tomary rights or otherwise howsoever, and that the land was being used for agricultural
purposes at the commencement of this Act, register the holder or occupier as one to
whom a customary right of occupancy had been issued in respect of the land in question.
(4) Where the land is developed, the land shall continue to be held by the person in
whom it was vested immediately before the commencement of this Act as if the holder of
the land was the holder of a customary right of occupancy issued by the Local Govern-
ment, and if the holder or occupier of such developed land, at his discretion, produces a
sketch or diagram showing the area of the land so developed, the Local Government
shall, if satisfied that that person immediately before the commencement of this Act has
the land vested in him, register the holder or occupier as one in respect of whom a cus-
tomary right of occupancy has been granted by the Local Government.
(5) No land to which this section applies shall be sub-divided or laid out in plots and
no such land shall be transferred to any person by the person in whom the land was
vested as aforesaid.
(6) Any instrument purporting to transfer any land to which this section relates shall
be void and of no effect whatsoever in law and every party to any such instrument shall
be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000 or to imprisonment
for one year.
37. Penalty for false claims, etc., in respect of land
If any person other than one in whom any land was lawfully vested immediately be-
fore the commencement of this Act enters any land in purported exercise of any right in
relation to possession of the land or makes any false claim in respect of the land to the Governor or any Local Government for any purpose under this section he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year or to a fine of N5,000.
38. Preservation of power of Governor to revoke rights of occupancy
Nothing in this Part shall be construed as precluding the exercise by the Governor or
as the case may be the Local Government concerned of the powers to revoke, in accor-
dance with the applicable provisions of this Act, rights of occupancy, whether statutory
or customary, in respect to any land to which this Part of this Act relates.
PART VII
Jurisdiction of High Courts and other courts
39. Jurisdiction of High Courts
(1) The High Court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in respect of the follow-
ing proceedings-
(a) proceedings in respect of any land the subject of a statutory right of occupancy
granted by the Governor or deemed to be granted by him under this Act; and
for the purposes of this paragraph, proceedings includes proceedings for a
declaration of title to a statutory right of occupancy;
(b) proceedings to determine any question as to the persons entitled to compensation payable for improvements on land under this Act. .
(2) All laws, including rules of court, regulating the practice and procedure of the
High Court shall apply in respect of proceedings to which this section relates and the
laws shall have effect with such modifications as would enable effect to be given to the
provisions of this section.
40. Special provisions in respect of pending proceedings
Where on the commencement of this Act proceedings had been commenced or were
pending in any court or tribunal (whether at first instance or on appeal) in respect of any
question concerning or pertaining to title to any land or interest therein, such proceedings
may be continued and be finally disposed of by the court concerned but any order or de-
cision of the court shall only be as respects the entitlement of either of the parties to the
proceedings to a right of occupancy, whether statutory or customary, in respect of such
land as provided in this Act.
41. Jurisdiction of area courts or customary courts, etc.
An area court or customary court or other court of equivalent jurisdiction in a State
shall have jurisdiction in respect of proceedings in respect of a customary right of occu-
pancy granted by a Local Government under this Act; and for the purposes of this para-
graph “proceedings” includes proceedings for a declaration of title to a customary right of
occupancy and all laws including rules of court regulating practice and procedure of such
courts shall have effect with such modifications as would enable effect to be given to this
section.
42. Proceedings for recovery of rent in respect of certificate of occupancy, etc.
(1) Proceedings for the recovery of rent payable in respect of any certificate of occu-
pancy may be taken before a magistrate’s court of competent jurisdiction by and in the
name of the Chief Lands Officer or by and in the name of any other officer appointed by
the Governor in that behalf.
(2) Proceedings for the recovery of rent payable in respect of any customary right of
occupancy may be taken by and in the name of the local government concerned in the
area court or customary court or any court of equivalent jurisdiction.
PART VIII
Supplemental
43. Prohibition of and penalties for unauthorised use of land
(1) Save as permitted under section 34 of this Act, as from the commencement of this
Act no person shall in an urban area-
(a) erect any building, wall, fence or other structure upon; or
(b) enclose, obstruct, cultivate or do any act on or in relation to,
any land which is not the subject of a right of occupancy or licence lawfully held by him
or in respect of which he has not received the permission of the Governor to enter and
erect improvements prior to the grant to him of a right of occupancy.
(2) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) of this sec-
tion shall on being required by the Governor so to do and within the period of time fixed
by the Governor, remove any building, wall, fence, obstruction, structure or thing which
he may have caused to be placed on the land and he shall put the land in the same condi-
tion as nearly as may be in which it was before such contravention.
(3) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) of this sec-
tion shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year or
to a fine of N5,000.
(4) Any person who fails or refuses to comply with a requirement made by the Gov-
ernor under subsection (2) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on con-
viction to a fine of N100 for each day during which he makes default in complying with
the requirement of the Governor.
44. Service of notices
Any notice required by this Act to be served on any person shall be effectively served
on him-
(a) by delivering it to the person on whom it is to be served; or
(b) by leaving it at the usual or last known place of abode of that person; or
(c) by sending it in a prepaid registered letter addressed to that person at his usual or last known place of abode; or
(d) in the case of an incorporated company or body, by delivering it to the secre-
tary or clerk of the company or body at its registered or principal office or
sending it in a prepaid registered letter addressed to the secretary or clerk of
the company or body at that office; or
(e) if it is not practicable after reasonable inquiry to ascertain the name or address
of a holder or occupier of land on whom it should be served, by addressing it
to him by the description of “holder” or “occupier” of the premises (naming
them) to which it relates, and by delivering it to some person on the premises
or, if there is no person on the premises to whom it can be delivered, by affix-
ing it, or a copy of it, to some conspicuous part of the premises.
45. Delegation of powers
(1) The Governor may delegate to the State Commissioner all or any of the powers
conferred on the Governor by this Act, subject to such restrictions, conditions and quali-
fications, not being inconsistent with the provisions, or general intendment, of this Act as
the Governor may specify.
(2) Where the power to grant certificates has been delegated to the State Commis-
sioner, such certificates shall be expressed to be granted on behalf of the Governor.
46. Power to make regulations
(1) The National Council of States may make regulations for the purpose of carrying
this Act into effect and particularly with regard to the following matters-
(a) the transfer by assignment or otherwise howsoever of any rights of occupancy, whether statutory or customary, including the conditions applicable to the transfer of such rights to persons who are not Nigerians;
(b) the terms and conditions upon which special contracts may be made under
section 8 of this Act;
(c) the grant of certificates of occupancy under section 9 of this Act;
(d) the grant of temporary rights of occupancy;
(e) the method of assessment of compensation for the purposes of section 29 of this Act.
(2) The Governor may, subject to subsection (1) of this section, make regulations
with regard to the following matters-
(a) the method of application for any licence or permit and the terms and condi-
tions under which licences may be granted;
(b) the procedure to be observed in revising rents;
(c) the fees to be paid for any matter or thing done under this Act;
(d) the forms to be used for any document or purpose.
47. Exclusion of certain proceedings
(1) This Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law
or rule of law including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, no court shall have jurisdiction to
inquire into-
[Cap. C23.]
(a) any question concerning or pertaining to the vesting of all land in the Governor
in accordance with the provisions of this Act; or
(b) any question concerning or pertaining to the right of the Governor to grant a
statutory right of occupancy in accordance with the provisions of this Act; or
(c) any question concerning or pertaining to the right of a local government to
grant a customary right of occupancy under this Act.
(2) No court shall have jurisdiction to inquire into any question concerning or per-
taining to the amount or adequacy of any compensation paid or to be paid under this Act.
48. Modification of existing laws
All existing laws relating to the registration of title to, or interest in, land or the trans-
fer of title to or any interest in land shall have effect subject to such modifications
(whether by way of addition, alteration or omission) as will bring those laws into con-
formity with this Act or its general intendment.
49. Exemption with respect to Federal Government lands, etc.
(1) Nothing in this Act shall affect any title to land, whether developed or undevel-
oped, held by the Federal Government or any agency of the Federal Government at the
commencement of this Act and, accordingly, any such land shall continue to vest in the
Federal Government or the agency concerned.
(2) In this section, “agency” includes any statutory corporation or any other statutory
body (whether corporate or unincorporate) or any company wholly owned by the Federal
Government.
50. Validity of laws, etc.
(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act or any other enactment, all
laws and subsidiary legislation made at any time between the commencement of this Act
and 30 September 1979 by an Administrator (or former Governor), the Executive Coun-
cil, a Commissioner or any other authority or any public officer of a State shall be
deemed to have been validly made and shall have effect as if they had been made under
or pursuant to the Act and accordingly, shall hereafter continue to have effect according
to their tenor and intendment as if they were regulations made under or pursuant to sec-
tion 46 of this Act.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section-
(a) all contracts and all executive and judicial acts, including acts pertaining to the
establishment, membership and functions of any Land Use and Allocation
Committee or of any other authority or to the appointment of any person, shall
be deemed to have been validly entered into or done and shall hereafter con-
tinue to have effect as provided in the said subsection; and
(b) any instrument or other evidence relating to the allocation of any land, whether
or not expressed to have been made under this Act, shall be deemed to have been validly issued or given under or pursuant to this Act and shall continue to have effect according to its tenor and intendment accordingly.
51. Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
“agricultural purposes” includes the planting of any crops of economic value;
includes the planting of any crops of economic value;
“appropriate officer” means the Chief Lands Officer of a State and in the case of the
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, means the Chief Federal Lands Officer;
“customary right of occupancy” means the right of a person or community lawfully
using or occupying land in accordance with customary law and includes a customary
right of occupancy granted by a local government under this Act;
“developed land” means land where there exists any physical improvement in the
nature of road development services, water, electricity, drainage, building, structure or
such improvement that may enhance the value of the land for industrial, agricultural or
residential purposes;
“easement” means a right annexed to land to utilise other land in different holding in
a particular manner (not involving the taking of any part of the natural produce of that
land or of any part of its soil) or to prevent the holder of the other land from utilising his
land in a particular manner;
“Government” means the Government of the Federation or the Government of a
State;
“Governor” means the Governor of the State concerned;
“grazing purposes” includes only such agricultural operations as are required for
growing fodder for livestock on the grazing area;
“High Court” means the High Court of the State concerned;
“holder” in relation to a right of occupancy, means a person entitled to a right of oc-
cupancy and includes any person to whom a right of occupancy has been validly assigned
or has validly passed on the death of a holder but does not include any person to whom a
right of occupancy has been sold or transferred without a valid assignment, nor a mortga-
gee, sub-lessee or sub-underlessee;
“improvements” or “unexhausted improvements” means anything of any quality
permanently attached to the land, directly resulting from the expenditure of capital or
labour by an occupier or any person acting on his behalf, and increasing the productive
capacity, the utility or the amenity thereof and includes buildings, plantations of long-
lived crops or trees, fencing, a well, roads and irrigation or reclamation works, but does
not include the result of ordinary cultivation other than growing produce;
“interest at the bank rate” means a simple interest payable at the rate per cent per
annum at which the Central Bank of Nigeria will rediscount bills of exchange;
“local government” means the appropriate local government or any other body hav-
ing or exercising the powers of a local government as provided by law in respect of the
area where the land in question is situated;
“mortgage” includes a second and subsequent mortgage and equitable mortgage;
“occupier” means any person lawfully occupying land under customary law and a
person using or occupying land in accordance with customary law and includes the sub-
lessee or sub-lessee of a holder;
“public purposes” includes-
(a) for exclusive Government use or for general public use;
(b) for use by any body corporate directly established by law or by any body cor-
porate registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act as respects
which the Government owns shares, stocks or debentures;
[Cap. C20.]
(c) for or in connection with sanitary improvements of any kind;
(d) for obtaining control over land contiguous to any part or over land the value of
which will be enhanced by the construction of any railway, road or other pub-
lic work or convenience about to be undertaken or provided by the Government;
(e) for obtaining control over land required for or in connection with development
of telecommunications or provision of electricity;
(f) for obtaining control over land required for or in connection with mining pur-
poses;
(g) for obtaining control over land required for or in connection with planned ur-
ban or rural development or settlement;
(h) for obtaining control over land required for or in connection with economic,
industrial or agricultural development;
(i) for educational and other social services;
“statutory right of occupancy” means a right of occupancy granted by the Governor
under this Act;
“sub-lease” includes a sub-underlease;
“urban area” means such area of the State as may be designated as such by the Gov-
ernor pursuant to section 3 of this Act.
(2) The powers of a Governor under this Act shall, in respect of land comprised in
the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, or any land held or vested in the Federal Govern-
ment in any State, be exercisable by the President or any Minister designated by him in
that behalf and references in this Act to Governor shall be construed accordingly.
52. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Land Use Act.
LAND USE ACT
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
No Subsidiary Legislation