Federal Government Partners with World Bank to Launch Digital Land System, Drive Housing Revolution
By Auwal Ahmad
In a major push towards modernizing Nigeria’s land administration, the Federal Government has partnered with the World Bank to introduce a National Land Digital System (NLDS), a platform that aims to enhance land transactions across the country through increased transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.
Announcing the partnership at the 13th National Council on Housing, Lands, and Urban Development in Gombe, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, highlighted how the NLDS will tackle long-standing challenges in land registration.
The digital system, he said, will boost economic activities, secure property rights, and aims to increase formal land transactions from under 10% to over 50% within the next decade.
“Currently, over 90% of the country’s land remains unregistered, representing an estimated $300 billion in untapped capital,” Dangiwa remarked, stressing that the NLDS will allow citizens to verify land ownership securely and reduce fraud, boosting investor confidence and unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
The NLDS forms a core part of the Ministry’s partnership with state governments to document and title land parcels nationwide, ensuring clearer ownership rights that foster development and investment.
Additionally, Dangiwa highlighted that this digital transformation would bring clarity to land transactions, enhancing Nigeria’s appeal to both domestic and international investors.
Dangiwa also addressed Nigeria’s urban challenges, revealing that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is set to approve a National Urban Development Policy (NUDP) aimed at creating resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart cities.
He called for collaboration between federal, state, and local governments to transform urban spaces for sustainable growth.
“All African nations, including Nigeria, have committed to organizing an Annual National Urban Forum in line with the Addis Ababa Declaration, creating a platform to discuss Nigeria’s Urban Agenda,” Dangiwa said, urging Nigerian leaders in the housing sector to prioritize sustainable urban development.
Tackling Nigeria’s housing crisis, Dangiwa revealed the Ministry’s goal of constructing over 10,000 housing units across 14 locations and outlined plans for Renewed Hope Cities, developed under Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate affordable housing.
“Our goal is to establish at least one Renewed Hope City in each geo-political zone and the FCT,” he announced, noting that the PPP model targets middle- and high-income earners while emphasizing the need for state and local governments to invest more in affordable housing.
In line with enhancing land management, Dangiwa announced a new compensation framework for those affected by land acquisition projects.
This update addresses an 18-year gap in compensation policy, ensuring fair recompense for individuals impacted by infrastructure development.
The revised rates include significant increases for matured trees, such as a jump from N2,000 to N45,000 per cashew tree.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and House Committee Chairman Hon. Abiante Awaji underscored the importance of sustainable land and housing practices.
They urged the Council to promote climate-resilient designs and to adopt local materials that support environmental health, reduce urban heat, and enhance biodiversity.
“Our discussions here must result in actions that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Cities vision and sustainable urban development for all Nigerians,” Yahaya affirmed.
As the Council concluded its meeting, stakeholders hailed the NLDS and the Urban Development Policy as transformative steps toward sustainable land and housing solutions.
