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.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has allocated more than 2,000 plots of land to beneficiaries over a two-day exercise, saying the initiative is aimed at expanding land ownership, reducing the housing deficit, and creating long-term wealth for residents across the state. The exercise forms part of the administration’s broader housing and land reform agenda.

According to the Kano State Government, the first phase of the allocation involved the presentation of land allocation documents to political appointees, including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Reporters, and Personal Assistants. The second phase saw polling unit agents, popularly known as Yan Akwatu, receive allocation documents, bringing the total number of allocated plots to over 2,000 within two days.

Governor Yusuf said the programme is intended to improve access to land ownership, empower families through property acquisition, and support efforts to address Kano State’s housing deficit. Represented by the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Iro Ma’aji, the governor said his administration remains committed to implementing programmes that benefit residents while fulfilling promises made to supporters.

The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Umar, described the initiative as a significant step towards improving access to land and encouraging housing development. He urged beneficiaries to retain the allocated plots for future development rather than selling them immediately, noting that property ownership can serve as a valuable long-term asset.

The land allocation programme has attracted public attention, with supporters describing it as a strategy to expand homeownership and stimulate housing development, while critics have questioned the timing and selection of beneficiaries. Governor Yusuf has defended the initiative, maintaining that it is designed to reduce the housing deficit and improve citizens’ welfare through wider access to land ownership.

Housing experts note that increasing access to serviced land can support residential development and economic growth when accompanied by transparent allocation processes, infrastructure provision, and effective land administration. They argue that land allocation programmes are most impactful when beneficiaries are able to develop the plots into habitable housing and related infrastructure.

The post Kano Governor Allocates Over 2,000 Plots of Land to Expand Homeownership appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The demolition of 35 shops along Gasikiya College Road, Ijora-Badia, Lagos, has pitted displaced traders against the new landowner, Omopariola Adeleye, who insists the exercise was legal.

“I lawfully bought the land through a family representative, Kehinde Da-Costa Lawrence, who provided the deed of sale, letter of administration, and other supporting documents. Occupants were given ample notice to vacate, yet most ignored it,” Adeleye said, displaying his purchase documents to journalists.

Community leaders backed his claims. The Baale of Oridilu, Chief Lateef Olatunji, said the sale was acknowledged by the Lawrence family, adding: “Trouble only started when he moved to reclaim the shops built along the fence of his land.”

But Taiwo Alonge-Lawrence, a member of the family, alleged that the demolition was illegal and carried out with government support despite his lawyer submitting proof of ownership.

Traders say they are now struggling. “I bake outside now and borrow space when it rains. My drinks business has collapsed because I no longer have a place to keep my freezer,” said caterer Basirat Saidu.

Adeleye claims he offered dialogue and compensation. “He asked them for account numbers to compensate them, but they refused,” said a resident, Rilwan.

The post Ijora-Badia Demolition: Landowners Defend Action as Traders Lament Losses appeared first on Housing TV Africa.