The Enugu State Government has taken a significant step in modernizing land administration by launching the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS).
The digital platform promises to simplify land title applications, offering a seamless process that can be completed entirely online within 48 hours.
Governor Peter Mbah, in a statement shared on his official X account, described ENGIS as a landmark achievement. The governor noted that the platform would eliminate long-standing issues such as land grabbing, double allocations, unauthorized constructions, and revenue diversion.
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He emphasized that the initiative would restore public trust in land management processes while promoting ease of doing business.
“With ENGIS, we are putting an end to the era of land grabbing, double allocations, unauthorized constructions, and revenue diversion. This is not just a win for government – it is a major victory for Ndi Enugu, as trust and transparency now define our land processes,” Mbah stated.
He further highlighted the platform’s convenience, explaining that it allows residents to process land titles, conduct searches, and access results entirely from their homes.
The governor also pointed to ENGIS as a tool to attract investors, enhance efficiency, and drive economic growth. The platform is expected to significantly boost Enugu’s revenue base while aligning with broader federal initiatives like the National Land Digital System (NLDS), by digitizing decades-old land records.
The NLDS seeks to unlock $300 billion in economic potential by improving land registration and formalizing land transactions. Housing Minister Arc. Musa Dangiwa recently noted that efforts to modernize land administration could significantly boost investor confidence, reduce fraud, and enhance clarity in land ownership nationwide.
1978 Land Use Act, A Bigger Issue
While the ENGIS initiative has been lauded for its potential to enhance transparency and efficiency, experts contend that Nigeria’s real estate sector faces deeper structural challenges rooted in the 1978 Land Use Act.
It has been argued that digitalization alone cannot address the systemic issues hindering Nigeria’s real estate sector. The 1978 Land Use Act, which centralizes land ownership under state governors, is said to be the most significant impediment to growth in the sector.
The Land Use Act was enacted to regulate land use and ownership across Nigeria, vesting all land in a state, except those vested in the Federal Government or its agencies, under the control of its governor. While the Act sought to streamline land administration, it has introduced bureaucratic bottlenecks and inefficiencies that continue to stifle real estate development.
One of the primary issues is the centralization of land ownership. Under the Act, landowners receive certificates of occupancy (C of O) rather than outright ownership, leaving them with leasehold rights that create insecurity and discourage long-term investment. Additionally, the requirement for the governor’s consent for all land transactions significantly increases the time and cost of acquiring land titles.
Experts also point to the discretionary powers granted to governors as a source of corruption and inefficiency. Land allocations often lack transparency, making the process uncertain and unappealing to investors. This situation is compounded by high transaction costs, which deter small and medium-scale developers from pursuing real estate projects.
The implications of the Land Use Act extend beyond bureaucratic inefficiencies. It has stymied efforts to address Nigeria’s housing deficit by driving up costs and delaying developments. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the real estate sector has also been limited, as investors remain wary of uncertainties surrounding land rights.
The ENGIS Solution
While ENGIS cannot solve the structural challenges posed by the Land Use Act, it offers a promising solution to some of the inefficiencies in land administration. Its introduction is expected to improve transparency and enhance investor confidence in Enugu’s real estate sector.
However, experts maintain that meaningful progress in Nigeria’s real estate sector requires a repeal or significant amendment of the 1978 Land Use Act. They argue that decentralizing land management, granting full ownership rights to individuals and businesses, and simplifying transaction processes are essential steps to unlocking the sector’s potential.
Although Mbah’s commitment to modernizing land administration is commendable, the journey toward a fully functional and equitable land management system in Nigeria is said to depend on bold policy decisions at the federal level.