An Analysis of the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme
On March 19, 2025, I attended the workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the World Bank at Transcorp Hilton Abuja. The event centered on the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme (NLRDP), a transformative initiative aimed at addressing Nigeria’s land governance challenges and unlocking economic opportunities tied to unregistered land assets.
With over 90% of Nigeria’s land unregistered, this program is critical for modernizing land administration, fostering economic growth, and enhancing transparency. In this article, I will outline the challenges discussed during the workshop, solutions proposed by stakeholders, and my expert recommendations on leveraging blockchain technology to revolutionize Nigeria’s land registration system.
Challenges Highlighted at the Workshop
1. Low Land Registration Rates
Prof. Olurotimi Adebowale Kemiki’s intellectually crafted paper emphasised that only 4% of Nigeria’s land is formally registered. This staggering statistic underscores the inefficiency of the current system, which leaves vast economic potential untapped.
2. Bureaucratic Bottlenecks
The manual process for obtaining land titles is slow, opaque, and expensive. Landowners often face months—or even years—of delays before receiving their Certificates of Occupancy (CofO). This discourages formal registration and perpetuates reliance on informal systems.
3. Lack of Systematic Framework
As detailed by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the absence of a credible system for identifying property ownership, interests, and location leads to disputes and uncertainties.
4. Inadequate Data for Land Valuation
The Honourable Minister also emphasised that scarcity of reliable data in both urban and rural areas impedes effective land valuation and investment decisions.
5. Economic Losses
Unregistered land cannot serve as collateral for loans or investments, tying up an estimated $300 billion in dead capital. Businesses struggle to access credit, limiting growth opportunities and job creation.
6. Legal Disputes
Ambiguous land titles fuel endless litigation, illegal encroachments, and loss of investor confidence.
7. Security Concerns
Unregistered properties are difficult to monitor or trace, contributing to urban insecurity.
Solutions Proposed at the Workshop
1. Unified National Land Registration System
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore emphasized the need for a standardized approach to land registration across states to reduce duplication, inconsistencies, and bureaucratic hurdles. by working closely with state governments, Land actors and Agencies with the view of creating a standardised approach.
2. Leveraging Technology
The program aims to transition from manual processes to digital systems through the development of a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) to digitize and centralize land records for improved data security and integration of spatial planning tools to streamline operations.
3. Policy Reforms
The World Bank recommended revisiting Nigeria’s outdated Land Use Act of 1978 to simplify procedures and reduce costs associated with obtaining CofOs.
4. Sectional Titling
Sectional titling was proposed by the World bank representative as a way to make land ownership more flexible while reducing upfront costs for registration.
5. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
The Honorable Minister of Housing stressed the importance of PPPs in bringing private sector expertise and funding into the implementation process.
My Expert Insights:
Revolutionizing Land Registration with Blockchain Technology
The workshop provided valuable insights into addressing Nigeria’s land registration challenges, including leveraging technologies like blockchain, which Prof Olurotimi briefly discussed in his beautiful presentation. As an expert, who has been exploring blockchain solutions in the real estate sector, I’d like to spark crucial discussions around integrating this emerging technology, which is a potential game-changer in land administration with the following opportunities:
1. Blockchain’s Impact on Transparency and Security
Blockchain ensures that land records are immutable and tamper-proof:
- Ownership details are stored securely on a distributed ledger accessible globally.
- Fraudulent activities are eliminated as records cannot be manipulated.
- Investors—both local and foreign—gain confidence in property transactions due to enhanced trust.
Imagine being able to verify ownership details from anywhere in the world within seconds—a stark contrast to Nigeria’s current system where manual verification can take months.
2. Efficiency Gains Through Smart Contracts
Smart contracts automate key processes such as ownership transfers:
- Transactions are executed instantly once conditions are met.
- Bureaucratic delays are eliminated.
- Developers can start construction projects without waiting months for title processing.
As stated by Prof Olurotimi in Sweden, blockchain technology has reduced land registration times to 7 days, while New Zealand completes registrations within 3–5 days using similar systems. Compare this to Nigeria’s current timeline of several months or even years—highlighting the urgent need for modernization.
3. Unlocking Economic Viability
A reliable blockchain-powered system would unlock significant economic opportunities:
A. Boosting Investor Confidence
Blockchain provides transparency and security that attract both local and foreign investors:
- Diaspora Nigerians already contribute over $20 billion annually to the economy; blockchain could multiply this figure by enhancing trust in property transactions.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) would increase as global investors gain confidence in Nigeria’s real estate market.
B. Enabling Credit Access
With clear titles stored on blockchain:
- Businesses can use their assets as collateral for loans.
- Dead capital tied up in unregistered properties becomes liquid.
This would drive economic growth and stimulate job creation across sectors.
C. Accelerating Housing Development
Faster registration processes encourage developers to invest in housing projects:
- More homes are built quickly, addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.
- Increased competition among developers drives innovation and affordability.
D. Enhancing Urban Security
Every registered property can be traced via blockchain-integrated GIS systems:
- Properties are numbered and monitored effectively.
- Urban planning becomes more efficient.
This reduces crime rates associated with untraceable properties.
E. Increasing Government Revenue
Registered properties generate revenue through taxes and fees:
- I watched the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike talking on how his administration was being able to increase the Internally Generated Revenue by more than 100%, which obviously possible through land related transactions aided, by compulsory land registration in the FCT.
- Scaling registration efforts nationwide would further boost state revenues.
Additional Challenges & Recommendations
- Resistance from stakeholders accustomed to informal systems.
- Lack of technical expertise among government agencies.
- High initial costs of transitioning to digital systems.
My Recommendations
1. Mass Titling Campaigns
State governments should embark on mass titling initiatives at subsidized rates:
- Encourage citizens to register their properties by reducing upfront costs.
- Lay the groundwork for transitioning to blockchain systems.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns
Educate citizens on the benefits of formal property registration:
- Highlight how registered titles unlock access to credit and protect against fraud.
- Use success stories from countries like Indonesia, Sweden and New Zealand as case studies.
3. Blockchain Implementation Roadmap
Develop a phased approach for integrating blockchain into Nigeria’s land administration system:
- Pilot projects in key states like Lagos and Abuja.
- Gradual scaling across all states based on lessons learned.
- Training programs for government officials on blockchain technology.
4. PPP Framework Design
Create a robust framework for PPPs that incentivizes private sector participation:
- Offer tax breaks for companies investing in digital infrastructure.
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities for public-private collaboration.
My Final Thought
The National Land Registration and Documentation Programme represents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria to transform its real estate sector into a globally competitive industry. By embracing emerging technologies like blockchain—and implementing bold reforms—Nigeria can unlock billions in investments, create jobs, address its housing deficit, enhance urban security, and boost government revenue.
As someone actively exploring blockchain solutions in real estate, I am committed to driving innovation that transforms Nigeria’s property market into a transparent, efficient, and prosperous sector. Together, we can unlock Nigeria’s untapped potential and create lasting prosperity for all stakeholders. This is an ongoing discussion, Let’s discuss how we can leverage innovative technologies to build a prosperous future for Nigeria’s property market.
2 comments
We have a long way to go here in Benin City regarding land registration. Many are unaware of the importance. They tend to be blinded by the cost only.
Another serious issue is community land dispute. You see communities fighting over boundaries.
QUESTION
How can proper land registration help communities to avoid dispute?
You’re right, the benefits of land registration aren’t always obvious, but they’re crucial for preventing disputes.
Here’s how:
Clear Boundaries: Registration legally defines property boundaries, so everyone knows where one community’s land ends and another’s begins.
Reduced Conflicts: When boundaries are clear and legally recognized, it’s much harder for disputes to arise. Registration minimizes ambiguity.
Legal Recognition: Registration provides legal ownership, reducing the incentive for encroachment or boundary disputes between communities.
While the costs seem high upfront, the long-term benefits—avoiding costly conflicts and promoting community stability—make it a worthwhile investment. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any other questions.