LAND REGISTRATION LAW AND PRACTICE IN NIGERIA: LESSONS FROM UNITED KINGDOM

Abstract

The importance of land registration to ease and efficient land management system cannot be overemphasized, suffice to say that it is sine qua non to good land management. From time immemorial, it has been recognized that good land registration systems encourages real property registration, boost the state internally generated revenue (IGR), offer security and certainty of title/interest to property owners, reduces property conflicts and litigation, adds value to the property and make it easier for prospective buyers to acquire property with reasonable certainty. In Nigeria the registration is perfected through the instrumentality of land registration law of each state. Presently, land registration law and practice in Nigeria is in a state of flux. There are disparate land registrations laws as there are states in Nigeria. The lapses observed in the Lagos State law and invariably Nigerian laws on the subject must be addressed holistically, particularly the applicable principles with respect to registration of the adverse possessor under the law.