In order to review and update Nigeria’s compensation rates for public land acquisition, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, has announced a historic partnership with the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), a UK-based organization that specializes in agricultural and rural land valuation.
With an emphasis on crops and economic trees, this partnership seeks to update the antiquated compensation mechanism that has been in existence since 2008.
The announcement was made on September 15, 2024, at the Knowledge Exchange Program in London, according to a statement posted on the Ministry’s official website.
The partnership’s significance was emphasized by Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, who also emphasized how it is a part of Nigeria’s larger efforts to reform land governance and make sure that compensation rates are sustainable for the long term while adhering to international best practices.
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“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has begun a landmark partnership with the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), a renowned UK-based professional body specializing in agricultural and rural valuation.
“The collaboration aims to leverage the expertise, knowledge and experience of CAAV towards finalizing the long overdue review and update of methodologies for compensation rates for public land acquisition in Nigeria, with a focus on crops and economic trees,” the statement read in part.
The collaboration with CAAV is expected to provide Nigeria with the tools needed to establish a real-time, scientifically grounded compensation framework.
The project is led by the National Technical Development Forum (NTDF) on Land Administration and aims to create a national repository of reference rates for compensating crops and economic trees affected by public land acquisitions.
Minister Gwarzo also acknowledged the challenges in implementing the Land Use Act of 1978, which governs compulsory land acquisition and compensation for affected landowners.
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He noted that outdated rates and the absence of a national compensation structure have hindered fair and transparent land acquisition processes.
At the event, technical presentations were delivered by Professor Olurotimi Kemiki, Lead Consultant on the draft Compensation Rates Methodology, and Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Adviser at CAAV, both of whom expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the partnership.
The Knowledge Exchange Programme will continue throughout the week, with both parties sharing insights and experiences to contribute to the Ministry’s final report, expected to be presented in October 2024.
The statement emphasized the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s land acquisition processes are fair, transparent, and aligned with international standards.
