Land Use Act 1978

The Land Use Act of the 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria vests all land in a state in the Governor of the State, subject to other provisions of the Act. This is in accordance with section 1 of the Act. It provides for the control and management of Land, rents, certificates of occupancy, exemption with respect to Federal Government lands, etc.

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Sections of the Land Use Act

(Section 1-4) Part I – General

Section 1 Land Use Act 2004 – Vesting of land in the state.

Section 2 Land Use Act 2004 – Control and management of land advisory bodies.

Section 3 Land Use Act 2004 – Designation of urban areas.

Section 4 Land Use Act 2004 – Applicable law for the interim management of land.

(Section 5-15) Part II – Principles of Land tenure

Section 5 Land Use Act 2004 – Powers of the Governors in relation to land.

Section 6 Land Use Act 2004 – Powers of Local Government in relation to land not in urban areas.

Section 7 Land Use Act 2004 – Restriction on right of person under age of 21.

Section 8 Land Use Act 2004 – Special contracts.

Section 9 Land Use Act 2004 – Certificate of occupancy.

Section 10 Land Use Act 2004 – Conditions and provisions implied in certificate of occupancy.

Section 11 Land Use Act 2004 – Power of Governor or public officer to enter and inspect land and improvement.

Section 12 Land Use Act 2004 – Power of Governor to grant licences to take building materials.

Section 13 Land Use Act 2004 – Duty of occupier of statutory right of occupancy to maintain beacons.

Section 14 Land Use Act 2004 – Exclusive rights of occupiers.

Section 15 Land Use Act 2004 – The right to improvements.

(Section 16-20) Part III – Rents

Section 16 Land Use Act 2004 – Principles to be observed in fixing and revising rents.

Section 17 Land Use Act 2004 – Power of Governor to grant rights of occupancy free of rent or at reduced rent.

Section 18 Land Use Act 2004 – Acceptance of rent not to operate as a waiver of forfeiture.

Section 19 Land Use Act 2004 – Penal rent.

Section 20 Land Use Act 2004 – Additional Penal rent for unlawful alienation.

(Section 21-27) Part IV – Alienation and surrender of Rights of Occupancy

Section 21 Land Use Act 2004 – Prohibition of alienation of customary right of occupancy except with requisite consent or approval.

Section 22 Land Use Act 2004 – Prohibition of alienation of statutory right of occupancy without consent of Governor.

Section 23 Land Use Act 2004 – Sub-underleases.

Section 24 Land Use Act 2004 – Devolution of rights of occupancy on death.

Section 25 Land Use Act 2004 – Effect of deed or will where non-customary law applies.

Section 26 Land Use Act 2004 – Null-and-void transactions and instruments.

Section 27 Land Use Act 2004 – Surrender of statutory rights of occupancy.

(Section 28-33) Part V – Revocation of rights of occupancy and compensation therefore

Section 28 Land Use Act 2004 – Power of Governor to revoke rights of occupancy.

Section 29 Land Use Act 2004 – Compensation payable on revocation of right of occupancy by Governor in certain cases.

Section 30 Land Use Act 2004 – Reference of dispute as to compensation.

Section 31 Land Use Act 2004 – Exclusion of the application of the Public Lands Acquisition (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Section 32 Land Use Act 2004 – Debt due to Government not extinguished by revocation.

Section 33 Land Use Act 2004 – Option to accept resettlement in case of revocation of right of occupancy.

(Section 34-38) Part VI – Transitional and other related provisions

Section 34 Land Use Act 2004 – Transitional provisions on land in urban areas.

Section 35 Land Use Act 2004 – Compensation for improvements in certain cases.

Section 36 Land Use Act 2004 – Transitional provisions on land not in urban areas.

Section 37 Land Use Act 2004 – Penalty for false claims, etc., in respect of land.

Section 38 Land Use Act 2004 – Preservation of power of Governor to revoke rights of occupancy.

(Section 39-42) Part VII – Jurisdiction of High Courts and other courts

Section 39 Land Use Act 2004 – Jurisdiction of High Courts.

Section 40 Land Use Act 2004 – Special provisions in respect of pending proceedings.

Section 41 Land Use Act 2004 – Jurisdiction of area courts or customary courts, etc.

Section 42 Land Use Act 2004 – Proceedings for recovery of rent in respect of certificate of occupancy, etc.

(Section 43-52) Part VIII – Jurisdiction of High Courts and other courts

Section 43 Land Use Act 2004 – Prohibition of, and penalties for, unauthorised use of land.

Section 44 Land Use Act 2004 – Service of notices.

Section 45 Land Use Act 2004 – Delegation of powers.

Section 46 Land Use Act 2004 – Power to make regulations.

Section 47 Land Use Act 2004 – Exclusion of certain proceedings.

Section 48 Land Use Act 2004 – Modification of existing laws.

Section 49 Land Use Act 2004 – Exemption with respect to Federal Government lands, etc.

Section 50 Land Use Act 2004 – Validity of laws, etc.

Section 51 Land Use Act 2004 – Interpretation.

Section 52 Land Use Act 2004 – Short title.