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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 2004Vesting of land in the state.

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

Section 3 Land Use Act 2004Designation of urban areas.

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

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

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

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

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

Section 8 Land Use Act 2004Special contracts.

Section 9 Land Use Act 2004Certificate of occupancy.

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

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

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

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

Section 14 Land Use Act 2004Exclusive rights of occupiers.

Section 15 Land Use Act 2004The right to improvements.

(Section 16-20) Part III – Rents

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

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

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

Section 19 Land Use Act 2004Penal rent.

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

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

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

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

Section 23 Land Use Act 2004Sub-underleases.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 38 Land Use Act 2004Preservation 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 2004Jurisdiction of High Courts.

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

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

Section 42 Land Use Act 2004Proceedings 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 2004Prohibition of, and penalties for, unauthorised use of land.

Section 44 Land Use Act 2004Service of notices.

Section 45 Land Use Act 2004Delegation of powers.

Section 46 Land Use Act 2004Power to make regulations.

Section 47 Land Use Act 2004Exclusion of certain proceedings.

Section 48 Land Use Act 2004Modification of existing laws.

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

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

Section 51 Land Use Act 2004Interpretation.

Section 52 Land Use Act 2004Short title.