Nigeria’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has teamed up with the World Bank to address the country’s land registration challenges, with more than 90% of land remaining untitled and tying up an estimated $300 billion in untapped capital.
The initiative, signed on September 11, 2024, by Housing Minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and World Bank Vice President of Infrastructure Guangzhe Chen, aims to register all land parcels within five years, raise formal land transactions from 10% to 50%, and establish a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS), as detailed on the ministry’s website.
“This is critical to our government as over 90% of land in Nigeria is unregistered. Experts estimate a dead capital of over $300 billion,” said Dangiwa. He emphasized that the program will involve registering and titling land, increasing the formalization of land transactions, and deploying competent land registration officers nationwide.
In partnership with state governments, the National Land Registration and Titling Programme will boost revenue through ground rent, Certificates of Occupancy, and real estate taxes, which will be used to improve urban services and address climate change impacts in Nigerian cities.
Dangiwa further outlined other areas of collaboration with the World Bank, including enhancing urban livability and addressing barriers in the housing value chain to encourage private investment in affordable housing. The implementation of a National Urban Development Policy is a priority for the administration, and the World Bank’s expertise is crucial in managing urban areas and service delivery.
Guangzhe Chen affirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in areas such as land administration, affordable housing, and urban land management. He noted that successful models from other countries in West and Central Africa could be adapted for Nigeria.
World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop assured that these priorities would be refined into comprehensive programs, including mortgage ecosystem improvements, structured land titling, and urban planning support for vulnerable cities facing challenges like flooding and rising heat levels. Diop stressed the urgency of addressing land registration and praised the Minister’s engagement with state governments as key to the initiative’s success, with the World Bank ready to provide financial and technical support.
