THE LEGAL CONCEPTION OF LAND, RIGHTS AND INTERESTS THEREON

Abstract

Land is a great gift of nature to mankind. However, the ever increasing rise in world population tends to place great pressure on the limited available land. Considering the above, most organised societies and states have over time evolved a conception of land within their jurisdiction that further their developmental aspirations. The implication of the foregoing is that the legal conception of land varies among different jurisdictions as well as changes over time. In Nigeria, land in its legal sense is not limited to the earth surface itself but also extends to the rights which may, by law, be enjoyed over such land. The legal conception of land in Nigeria has also changed with time. It is against the foregoing background that this work conducts an inquiry into the general overview of the legal conception of land in Nigeria as well as the rights and interest thereon.