Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of Housing and Urban Development, has said that unlocking Nigeria’s $300bn dead capital depends largely on a national land registration and titling programme.
The programme, announced in collaboration with the World Bank, seeks to address the country’s low land registration level—currently under 10 percent—and enhance land formalization.
Dangiwa stressed that improving land registration is essential for leveraging land as a significant economic asset, which is currently under-utilized.
The minister, according to a statement in Abuja, had unveiled plans to collaborate with the World Bank Group on a National Land Documentation and Titling Programme aimed at significantly improving land registration across Nigeria.
The initiative was highlighted at the Nigerian Liveable Cities Workshop, organized by the Ministry in partnership with the World Bank in Abuja.
He emphasized the urgent need to fully harness land as an economic asset. Currently, less than 10 percent of land in Nigeria is registered, limiting its potential value.
“The National Land Registration and Titling Programme seeks to elevate land formalization from under 10 percent to 50 percent within the next decade.
“This move is projected to unlock up to $300 billion in dormant capital. The draft framework for this programme has already been developed, and the Ministry has instructed its consultants to collaborate with the World Bank for its adoption and implementation,” the minister said.
He explained that the programme is a key component of the Ministry’s broader land reform strategy, which also includes plans to establish a National Land Commission to enforce the Land Use Act.
Additionally, he said that the Nigeria Urban Livability and Mobility Programmatic Analytics and Advisory Services (ULM PASA), launched by the World Bank, will provide technical support to enhance urban livability, competitiveness, and resilience in selected Nigerian cities.
The workshop provided a platform for sharing knowledge and forging partnerships aimed at sustainable urban development. Dangiwa also highlighted ongoing government efforts, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme, which aims to deliver 50,000 housing units in its first phase.
He also underscored the challenges facing Nigerian cities, such as rapid urbanization, infrastructure deficits, and climate change, and stressed the need for innovative solutions.
Fuad Malkawi, leader of the World Bank Task Team presented preliminary findings indicating that many Nigerian cities face disaster risks due to inadequate infrastructure and basic services.
The workshop recommended addressing issues such as inaccurate data, urban planning pressures, and the need for climate-smart infrastructure. The proposals also included developing a drainage master plan, creating city administrations with robust legal frameworks, and integrating disaster resilience into state development plans.
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