Challenges Encountered by Peri-Urban Women in Landed Property Ownership in Minna

Abstract

Peri-urban areas are areas around the cities, known to possess vast area of land for agricultural activities and other uses. This study investigates the extent of land and property ownershipamong women in the peri-urban areas of Minna, Nigeria, and more importantly the challenges they encountered as a result of ownership. By utilizing purposive sampling method, womenwithin marriageable age of 18 years and above were sampled across 12 randomly selectedperi-urban areas in the study area. Based on the questionnaire survey conducted between 8thJune and 10th June, 2019, a total number of 622 respondents were interviewed. The data forthe study entailed general information on land and property ownership and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics (simplefrequency and proportion method) and 4-point likert scale. The study observed that only52.27% of the respondents owned land/property and revealed that 61.26% of the women didnot experience any major threat from owning such asset. The most outstanding challenge experienced as revealed by the study is envy from other women within their society; 62.47% of the respondents attested to this fact. The current study contributes to the extant literature byrecommending the formation of social capital network among the women as a panacea to curbthe major challenge of envy identified. This could help create good social relationship, socialcohesion, collective action and trust among the women. It can also help create economic empowerment which would give women better opportunities to own land and property.