The Taraba State Government has announced a ban on the sale, allocation, or transfer of government-owned land without prior approval from the appropriate authorities, in a move aimed at strengthening land administration, improving transparency, and curbing illegal land transactions.

According to the state government, the directive forms part of ongoing efforts to protect public assets, prevent unauthorized land allocations, and ensure that government land is managed in accordance with existing laws and administrative procedures.

Officials warned that no individual, agency, or institution has the authority to sell, allocate, lease, or transfer government land without obtaining formal approval from the state government. They cautioned that any transaction carried out outside the approved process would be considered invalid and could attract legal consequences.

The government explained that the policy is intended to eliminate irregularities in land administration, reduce land disputes, and safeguard public property from encroachment and fraudulent transactions. It also reaffirmed its commitment to improving accountability in the management of state-owned land.

Prospective land buyers, developers, and investors were advised to conduct proper due diligence before acquiring any property and to verify land titles and allocation documents through the relevant government agencies. Authorities stressed that compliance with official procedures would help protect investors from fraudulent land deals and ownership disputes.

Urban planning experts say effective land administration is essential for sustainable housing development, infrastructure planning, and investor confidence. They noted that transparent allocation processes and reliable land records contribute to orderly urban growth while reducing conflicts over land ownership.

Stakeholders have welcomed the directive, describing it as a step toward improving governance in the land sector. They urged the government to complement the policy with digitised land records, faster title processing, and stronger enforcement to create a more efficient and transparent land administration system across Taraba State.

The post Taraba Introduces New Approval Process for Government Land Transactions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Abia State Government has directed all beneficiaries of land allocations at the Government Station Layout, Uzoakoli, to present their allocation papers and other relevant documents for verification and regularisation within 14 days.

The directive was issued through the Ministry of Lands, which warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period could result in the revocation of the affected allocations.

According to a public notice released by the Office of the Commissioner for Lands, all persons allocated plots within the estate are required to report to the Ministry of Lands in Umuahia with their allocation documents and other supporting records for verification.

The notice, signed by the State Director of Lands, ESV Mong N. Uduma, on behalf of the Commissioner, said the exercise is aimed at verifying and regularising land allocations within the Government Station Layout.

The government stated that all affected allottees must comply with the directive within 14 days from the date of publication of the notice.

It warned that any allottee who fails to present the required documents within the specified period may forfeit the allocation.

The notice further stated that the government reserves the right to reallocate any affected plot without further notice.

The Ministry urged all concerned individuals to take advantage of the verification exercise to regularise their documents and avoid any complications regarding ownership of their allocated plots.

The post Abia Govt Orders Uzoakoli Estate Allottees to Verify Land Documents Within 14 Days appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Fresh controversy has erupted over alleged violations of Abuja’s master plan following claims that a designated green area in Maitama Extension has been allocated for residential development.

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, accused the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under Minister Nyesom Wike, of approving the construction of about 20 duplexes on protected green land meant for environmental conservation.

Adeyanju alleged that the developers, after realising the estate had no approved access road, resorted to converting a natural canal into a roadway, a move he warned could trigger severe flooding and environmental damage.

In a statement shared with The Whistler on Friday, Adeyanju described the situation as an environmental disaster waiting to happen, particularly during the rainy season.

“I have just discovered that about 20 duplexes are being constructed on a designated green area in Maitama Extension,” he said.

“More alarming is the fact that the developers have now realised there is no access road to the estate and have resorted to converting a canal into a road.”

He warned that blocking or altering a natural water channel could expose residents of Maitama Extension to devastating floods.

“How do you fence off a green area and then proceed to turn a natural water channel into a road, all in the name of greed?” Adeyanju asked.

He further questioned how the project received approval from Development Control, describing the development as a clear distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.

“This is a blatant violation of the Abuja Master Plan. Wike allocated a green area to someone to build residential houses on it,” he alleged.

The Maitama Extension controversy adds to growing public criticism surrounding land allocations under the current FCT administration.

In recent months, several reports have accused the FCT minister of allocating prime land in high-value districts of Abuja to political associates and linked entities, sparking allegations of nepotism and abuse of office.

However, Wike’s camp has consistently denied the claims. His media aide, Lere Olayinka, previously dismissed the allegations as politically motivated blackmail, insisting that no land was allocated to the minister’s children or cronies.

Olayinka also challenged critics to provide verifiable evidence, noting that some of the land size figures being circulated were unrealistic.

Wike has maintained that land revocations and reallocations under his administration were carried out in accordance with the law, as part of efforts to restore order to Abuja’s land administration system.

Nonetheless, Adeyanju warned that allowing residential construction on green areas and waterways could further erode public trust in urban planning authorities and expose residents to avoidable environmental risks.

When contacted for comment, Olayinka said he was out of the country and unable to obtain detailed information due to the ongoing strike affecting FCTA workers.

The post Controversy Trails Maitama Green Area Development as Adeyanju Slams FCT appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A real estate development expert, Dr Meckson Innocent Okoro, has called on the Federal Government and state governments to adopt direct land allocation as a deliberate policy tool to reduce the cost of mass housing delivery across Nigeria.

Okoro said affordable housing would remain unattainable for many Nigerians unless governments take greater responsibility for land provision and supporting infrastructure, particularly for large-scale housing estates located outside urban centres.

He identified land, finance and infrastructure as the three most critical components of housing delivery, stressing that the absence of any of these elements significantly increases the final cost of housing units.

According to him, when governments directly allocate land for housing projects and provide basic infrastructure such as access roads, electricity, water supply and mass transit systems, developers are able to deliver homes at significantly lower prices.

“Easy and affordable transportation will encourage people to buy and live in these estates, especially when they are far from city centres. Government involvement in infrastructure development will drastically reduce the selling price per housing unit,” he said.

Commends Renewed Hope Estates initiative

Okoro made the remarks while commending the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities Programme, describing it as a major step towards closing Nigeria’s housing gap.

He noted that the initiative marks one of the closest attempts Nigeria has made toward structured mass housing delivery comparable to global best practices.

The former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) also praised the administration for aligning housing delivery with long-term mortgage financing, including a 20-year tenure, single-digit interest rates, and a 10 per cent equity contribution by subscribers.

“This is a commendable intervention aimed at giving ordinary Nigerians access to homeownership,” he said.

However, Okoro cautioned that the success of the programme would depend on its continuity beyond the lifespan of the current administration.

He urged the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to institutionalise the strategy, gather data from ongoing projects and refine future housing policies based on feedback from beneficiaries.

Infrastructure, solar power critical

Speaking further on mass housing development, Okoro warned that leaving developers to independently provide roads, electricity and water often leads to inflated housing costs.

He advocated for government-led infrastructure provision and encouraged the incorporation of solar energy solutions in all federal housing estates to reduce long-term energy costs.

“I also suggest that solar panels should be integrated into every federal housing estate so subscribers do not resort to generators, which increase cost and environmental impact,” he said.

Concerns over mortgage access

On funding, Okoro expressed concern about the ease of accessing mortgage facilities under the Renewed Hope Estates programme, particularly through the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF).

While applauding the availability of mortgage funding, he warned that delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks by disbursement banks could undermine the initiative.

“My concern is how accessible these mortgage funds are to subscribers. Government must ensure that appointed banks do not create unnecessary delays in fund disbursement,” he said.

He called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to carry out regular supervision of mortgage disbursement banks to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines.

Drawing lessons from the failed mortgage reforms of the early 1990s, Okoro warned that weak regulation could derail even well-intentioned housing policies.

“No matter how noble the intention, mortgage schemes only succeed when there are strong checks and enforcement mechanisms,” he said.

Clean land titles, anti-speculation measures urged

Okoro further stressed that all Renewed Hope Estate sites must have clean and verifiable land titles, noting that banks would be reluctant to finance properties with disputed ownership.

He also called for strict safeguards to prevent speculative purchases by government officials and politically connected individuals.

“In the past, mass housing schemes meant for ordinary Nigerians ended up in the hands of a few privileged individuals who later resold them at higher prices,” he said.

According to him, effective checks and balances are required to ensure that the houses reach the intended beneficiaries.

Economic benefits for states

The real estate expert argued that sustained mass housing delivery would generate long-term revenue for state governments through ground rents and land use charges.

“If the government succeeds in delivering millions of houses over time, states will benefit from consistent property-related revenues. Without housing development, these income streams are lost,” he added.

The post FG, States Urged to Allocate Land Directly for Mass Housing Projects appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

BY IFEANYI ONUBA

A widow and her children are seeking justice at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja over their 2,500-square-metre family plot, which available information reveals was legitimately allocated to the family’s late patriarch, Mr Ayomide Fasan.

At the heart of the tussle is the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Owolabi Aderemi, who is laying claim to the same plot of land in Kaura District, Abuja, which the Fasan family insists was secured by their late patriarch as far back as the year 2000.

Documents obtained by THE WHISTLER showed that the land with Statutory Right of Occupancy No. FCT/ABU/OD.700, located at Plot 900, Kaura (B11) District, FCT, measuring 2,500 square metres, was originally allocated to the Fasan family on February 2, 2000.

Trouble started in 2004 when the original papers were stolen from the husband of the widow. The development prompted the family to file an “affidavit of loss” and also made newspaper publications for re-certification.

It was gathered that subsequently, the widow’s husband made an application to AGIS for re-certification of rights of occupancy dated December 13, 2004.

Application for Certified True Copies of the original documents was also made through the law firm of C.E. Manag and Co. on April 29th, 2005.

But since the filing of the application by the family, nothing was heard from AGIS, a development that made the law firm of C.E. Manag and Co.write a reminder letter dated August 21, 2006.

Following the reminder letter by the law firm, findings revealed that the Director of Lands in AGIS subsequently conveyed an approval to the application through a letter dated September 22, 2008.

However, further findings showed that due to administrative delays and bottlenecks at AGIS, the process of re-certification was not completed before the demise of the widow’s husband in 2011.

With the death of the widow’s husband, the records show that the family again made another push for recertification of the allocation of the land through another letter referenced OAK/DLA/KRA/015 dated October 6, 2022.

But surprisingly, during a follow-up of that letter for re-certification, the family was informed that the re-certification process had since been concluded and a Certificate of Occupancy had been conveyed.

“This was greatly shocking and dismaying to us because there is no evidence within our records that they ever received any such communication.

“The process of collection of a sensitive document such as a C-of-O, even when it was done by proxy, ought to have required a letter of authority from the original owner and a valid means of identification and face capture to be tendered.

But to our amazement, there was no record of compliance with such a mandatory procedure,” a source at the lands department who preferred not to be named said.

Upon the discovery, the family further undertook a routine physical visit to the land and then discovered that it had suddenly been fenced completely. A cement brick-making facility was also being operated on the property.

It was further gathered that this prompted the Fasan family to visit AGIS to conduct a preliminary search on the status of the land.

But to their further shock, they discovered another record in the file, in favour of a strange third party.

The search revealed that another file over the same plot was created sometime on the 25th of August, 2000, with file number OD 10089.

Based on this development, the family again wrote to the FCT Administration via a letter with reference OAK/DLA/KRA/016 and dated 17th July, 2023, and requested the placement of an administrative caveat over the land, which was promptly approved and implemented.

But despite the caveat placed on the land, the family alleged that those acting under the instructions of the Ondo State Deputy Governor proceeded with the “illegal construction”, thus undermining constituted authorities.

The Deputy Governor’s legal team is alleged to be relying heavily on constitutional immunity, a shield that protects him from prosecution while in office.

But beyond the legal crossfire, however, lies the personal anguish of a widow and her children. With every block laid on the contested site, a source told THE WHISTLER that they are reminded of a father’s dream being buried under bricks of injustice.

“This is not just about land; it is about dignity, memory, and the rights of ordinary Nigerians who must be protected from political predators,” the source said.

In his defence, the Deputy Governor, through his lawyers from Idi Danabubakar and Co., stated in a notice of preliminary objection submitted at the FCT High Court that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The lawyers argued that the defendant is currently the Deputy Governor of Ondo State and, as such, by virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), enjoys immunity from the trial initiated by the family under the suit.

“The first defendant (Olayide Owolabi Adelami), immediately after his tenure as Deputy Governor of Ondo State, can then be subjected to the trial under the suit at hand,” the lawyers said in a court document sighted by THE WHISTLER.

Source: THE WHISTLER.

The post Widow, Ondo Deputy Governor In Fierce Battle Over Abuja Land Ownership appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abudulganiyu Adebomehin, has announced a crackdown on illegal shoreline structures in Nigeria. All such buildings will be demolished.

In a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Henry David, Adebomehin explained that the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) now operates under the Presidency. He said this move gives the office more powers and responsibilities in managing Nigeria’s shoreline areas.

The Surveyor-General directed that all applications for Certificates of Occupancy, permits, and survey plans along shorelines be suspended. “These requests will remain on hold until they are reviewed and approved by OSGOF,” he said.

He also ordered the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to submit all past shoreline-related approvals to his office. In addition, he warned that any documents already submitted to other agencies must now be redirected to OSGOF.

Adebomehin criticized some state governments for allocating shoreline land without OSGOF’s involvement. He stressed that such actions go against the law. “The enforcement unit will demolish any illegal structure within the shoreline right of way. This is an executive order. It complies with the Law of the Sea,” he stated. He also emphasized that OSGOF holds the official maps required for shoreline management.

The Surveyor-General praised the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN) for supporting the profession. He assured them of continuous collaboration.

During the visit, NIS Surveyor-General Folakemi Odunewu congratulated Adebomehin on OSGOF’s transition to the Presidency. She presented the institution’s seven-point agenda, which includes digital transformation of the National Secretariat, stronger public relations and advocacy, broader engagement with stakeholders, review of the Survey Coordination Act, development of professional excellence structures, and advocacy for a dedicated Ministry of Surveying and Geoinformatics.

The post Surveyor-General Orders Demolition of Illegal Shoreline Structures appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Speaking on Thursday, Wike said the allegations were false and politically motivated. He accused a failed politician from Adamawa State of sponsoring the claims.

Although he refused to name the individual, Wike explained that engaging with such people adds no value to national development.

“I have never given any land to my children,” he said. “These accusations are part of a desperate attempt to distract from the work we are doing in the FCT.”

The minister described the allegations as a smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation and undermining the reforms currently underway in Abuja.

Wike reaffirmed his commitment to transparency in land administration and governance. He added that his office remains open to scrutiny and welcomes accountability.

Community leaders and stakeholders in the FCT have also called for evidence-based discourse, urging the public to avoid spreading unverified claims.

The post Wike Denies Land Allocation Allegations, Blames Political Sabotage appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

During a courtesy visit, Wike informed the university’s Governing Council about his commitment to advancing higher education nationwide.

As an alumnus, Wike also pledged ₦150 million for constructing a modern multimedia facility at the university’s convocation arena.

He clarified that neither FCT funds nor government resources would be used, stressing personal and private financial contributions instead.

Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, praised Wike’s leadership and sought support for additional university infrastructure improvements.

“We came to congratulate you and request assistance for the Centre of Political Studies and multimedia facility establishment,” Ohuabunwa said.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, lauded Wike’s contributions, revealing roads within the university were named in his honor.

“We greatly appreciate your efforts because even the blind can see and the deaf can hear your impact,” he stated.

The post FCTA Approves Land Allocation for UniPort Political Studies Centre in Abuja appeared first on Housing TV Africa.