Overview of Developments in Land Administration and Physical Planning Practice in Nigeria

Abstract

Land administration and physical planning are fundamental instruments for achieving orderly and sustainable urban development. In Nigeria, rapid urbanisation, population growth, infrastructural expansion, and increasing pressure on land resources have significantly influenced the evolution of land administration systems and physical planning practices. This paper provides an overview of the historical developments in land administration and physical planning practice in Nigeria, highlighting major reforms, institutional frameworks, policy initiatives, and emerging challenges. The paper identifies persistent challenges, including weak institutional coordination, inadequate implementation of planning regulations, corruption, land conflicts, limited technological integration, and insufficient professional capacity. The study concludes by emphasising the need for integrated land governance, participatory planning, and policy reforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in land administration and physical planning practices in Nigeria.