Peri-urban Land Administration, Planning and Governance System in Minna, Niger State.

Abstract

The administration of the peri-urban land in Africa and particularly in Nigeria has been a serious concern. In Minna, peri-urban land is confronted with a number of challenges such as informal development and sprawl. This study examined the system of peri-urban land administration, planning and governance in Minna. Qualitative data were employed in this study and these were collected through open ended questionnaire and interviews, using semi-structured interview guides. The leaders/heads of five native communities, the Director of Town Planning Department and General Manager, Niger State Urban Development Board was selected for the interviews. These interviews were transcribed after which the transcripts were coded and analyzed using content analysis method. Thus, the perspective drawn from the interviews is structured under six (6) different themes. The study revealed three (3) major stakeholders involved in land administration in the peri-urban areas of Minna; based on planning and development of peri-urban areas, the expiration of the Minna master plan in the year 2000 contributed to the worsen situation of the peri-urban land management; despite the existing physical planning framework for land administration, implementation of these laws remains the problem. The study concluded that the failure of the formal land delivery system has wielded enormous influence and control, which the informal land system of delivery has on the peri-urban areas of Minna. It therefore recommended the development of strategy and modality that will encourage formalization of customary land title holders to certificate of occupancy.