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.

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……Land to Be Restored for Benin Central Hospital

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has annulled the Certificate of Occupancy previously granted to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) by former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

The revocation, issued in a directive dated October 21, was justified by the governor as being in the “overriding public interest.” The action invokes the powers conferred on him under Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978, now known as the Land Use Act.

Governor Okpebholo noted that the land formerly allocated to the Edo Museum of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE would be reclaimed by the state and restored to its original function as the Benin Central Hospital.

In response, MOWAA clarified misunderstandings about its mission and activities in Benin City. Through its Director, Mr. Phillip Ihenacho, the museum emphasized its respect and reverence for Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting West Africa’s cultural heritage.

The museum also dismissed claims that it misrepresented itself as the “Benin Royal Museum” to secure funding, urging donors to verify directly that no such misrepresentation occurred. Director of the MOWAA Institute, Ore Disu, reiterated that the institution remains devoted to maintaining a respectful relationship with the Benin monarchy while continuing its cultural initiatives.

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Estate surveyor Adamu Kasim questioned both the legality and practicality of the directive, warning that while the minister possesses regulatory powers, such policies must remain reasonable and grounded in economic realities.

“Though the law permits the minister to issue guidelines for land use, it must be applied with caution to avoid the perception of authoritarianism,” Kasim told our correspondent. He argued that expecting all allottees to develop their plots within two years—particularly in central areas like Abuja’s Central Business District—is impractical, citing economic limitations and the sluggish pace of real estate development in the capital.

“To say all plots in the FCT must be developed within two years is simply unrealistic. Look at the Churchgate building, which started in 2015 and is still incomplete today. Abuja’s market doesn’t yet have the capacity to absorb such rigid expectations,” he explained.

On the other hand, some professionals in the industry have applauded the minister’s initiative. Former chairman of the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Ikenna Aghaji, welcomed the move, calling it a catalyst for growth and order in the territory.

“I support the policy. Infrastructure like roads and flyovers only make sense when they connect areas being actively developed. Building roads into vacant land wastes resources,” Aghaji argued. He noted that physical development enhances both the aesthetic and functional value of urban land.

However, he added a caveat: the policy must only be enforced in areas already equipped with essential infrastructure. “It would be unfair to expect compliance in unserviced zones,” he said.

An anonymous estate surveyor also weighed in, supporting the overall vision but cautioning against poor execution. “Wike’s strategy to tackle infrastructural gaps and enforce land use is a positive step. It encourages urban development and could eventually ease housing shortages by boosting supply,” the source said. But he also warned that effective implementation, stakeholder inclusion, and transparency would be vital to achieving long-term success.

Defending the minister’s decision, Badamasi Haiba, Director of Press at the Ministry of Housing, said Wike’s directive falls well within his legal authority. “It’s his jurisdiction. He is acting within the framework of the law. These policies are planned and deliberate,” Haiba stated.

The minister initially made the announcement during a meeting with the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, stressing that land allocations would now be conditional on clear commitments from recipients regarding their ability to develop the plots within a defined timeline.

“My new policy is simple: no land will be allocated unless the recipient commits to developing it within a specific period. If that doesn’t happen, the land returns to the FCT,” Wike said.

Echoing this, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of the FCT Land Administration Department, confirmed that the two-year development rule is now official. Any land not developed within that timeframe, following the issuance of a Right of Occupancy, will be subject to revocation. The goal, he said, is to reduce land hoarding and ensure plots are put to productive use.

As the debate continues, stakeholders agree on one thing—balancing policy ambition with economic and infrastructural realities will be key to determining the success or failure of this bold directive.

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