Nigeria and the World Bank have partnered to tackle the longstanding issue of unregistered land across the country to unlock significant economic potential. Through this collaboration, over 90 percent of Nigeria’s land, which remains undocumented, could be registered and titled, opening pathways to financial growth and infrastructural development. This program aims to unlock over $300 billion in dead capital associated with unregistered land that has mostly gone unused. During the recent meeting between the World Bank delegation and the Minister of Housing Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the proposal emerged from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to overhaul the nation’s property registration framework.
Enhancing its registration and titles is vital to the federal government’s objectives for economic recovery. The initiative seeks to simplify property documentation across the country. It is backed by a National Land Registration and Titling Programme currently being created in collaboration with state governments. This extensive initiative aims to record property parcels and improve the formalisation process for its transactions, raising the rate from below 10 percent to over 50 percent within the next ten years. Additionally, the program plans to create a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) to provide access to all relevant parties.
National urban policy aims to enhance urban management and development.
Also, the anticipated outcomes of this change are extensive. They include increased Revenue for state governments, which can be earned through ground rents, property usage taxes, and various Real Estate investments. Dangiwa emphasised how crucial this transformation is for states across the region, citing Kaduna and Nasarawa as prime examples that have effectively adopted Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for formalising property registration. These regions have enjoyed advantages not just regarding revenue but also through enhanced estate management practices, creating a model for others to follow.
A crucial aspect of the collaboration is improving urban livability. In conjunction with the World Bank’s specialised knowledge, the national government is focused on executing the National Urban Development Policy. This initiative, designed to improve urban management, will be essential in confronting climate challenges impacting various cities in the country. As cities face increasing risks from Climate Change effects like flooding, governments recognise the necessity for funding urban resilience. The recent floods in Maiduguri, which forced more than 200,000 people from their community, underscored the urgent nature of this issue.
World Bank assured Nigeria on housing, land reform, and climate resilience.
The World Bank also reiterated its dedication to assisting the nation in various crucial sectors, such as sustainable housing strategies, property management, and approaches to counter climate change. Guangzhe Chen, the Bank’s Vice President for Infrastructure, pointed out that the country could gain from urban Sustainability and resilience frameworks that have proven effective in different regions of Africa. This strategy aims to assist many cities in managing urban expansion and addressing environmental issues more efficiently. Within this framework, the focus on Affordable Housing continues to be significant.
Ndiame Diop, the World Bank’s Country Director, emphasised that enhancing the capabilities of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria could lead to better housing provision across the country. In addition, creating an organised parcel titling system could eliminate major obstacles impacting development in the housing industry, offering the way for increased Investment and economic advancement. As the country undertakes this bold initiative, collaboration between the national and regional governments will be essential. The federal government has initiated discussions with state authorities regarding property reform, while the World Bank is prepared to offer financial support and technical assistance to help achieve the goals of these programs.
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In his closing remarks, the Ministry of Housing has emphasised the necessity of developing skills internally, especially as many experienced staff members approach retirement. The Ministry requests assistance from the World Bank to ensure that new hires receive adequate training in navigating the complexities of administration, housing development, and urban management. This focus on human capital is critical as the nation moves forward with its ambitious plans to reform property registration and address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change.