The Federal Government has once again been urged to revisit the Land Use Act of 1978, as experts say its original purpose has been consistently undermined by successive administrations.
Delivering the 63rd Inaugural Lecture of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Professor Uzochukwu Onyebinama, a seasoned Agricultural Economist, highlighted the need for urgent reforms.
According to him, the Act—which was meant to improve land accessibility for agricultural development—has failed to guarantee farmers the security of tenure. Instead, lands acquired in the name of agriculture are often diverted to other projects such as housing estates, motor parks, and non-agricultural ventures.
“They take the land, turn around, and allocate it to cronies for estates and motor parks, thereby depriving agriculture of the basic resources needed for production,” Onyebinama emphasized.
Agriculture Requires More Than Promises
Professor Onyebinama went further to advocate for:
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Increased funding for agricultural research in Nigeria
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Provision of facilities and credit facilities to real farmers in rural areas
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Proper monitoring to ensure government resources reach genuine farmers
He also called on the Federal Government to conduct a nationwide census of authentic farmers, arguing that many agricultural intervention funds are currently being siphoned by “fake farmers.”
Hunger Campaign Needs a Rethink
On the global front, the Agricultural Economist argued that the United Nations’ Zero Hunger goal may be unrealistic for Nigeria at this stage. Instead, he suggested that the focus should shift to ensuring freedom from hunger, where every citizen—regardless of income level—can access at least two proper meals daily.
Concerns Over the South East Land Use
Professor Onyebinama also warned against the idea of using South East lands, which total about 29,388 square kilometers, for the controversial Ruga program, stressing that such land should be prioritized for food production and not diverted for political purposes.
Final Thoughts
The call to review the Land Use Act highlights a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s agricultural sector: policies exist, but poor implementation and misuse hinder progress. If addressed, these reforms could unlock the sector’s potential and push Nigeria closer to achieving true food security.
