Evaluation And Analysis For The "Land Use Act" Of Nigeria

Since the ancient times, as an indispensable material basis for the existence anddevelopment of human-beings, it is also the basic means of production for socialproduction and agricultural industry, basis for the existence of a country, any country’seconomic development is closely related to land. Therefore, as the system thatregulates various land activities and maintains all kinds of social relations, the landlaw are of vital importance for protecting the obligees’ land interests and keepingsocial order and stability.During the colonial period, Nigeria was a British colony, therefore, the "LandUse Act" of Nigeria enacted in1978was influenced by the suzerain land law in acertain extent.The legislative purpose of the law is to make land of Nigerianationalized, so the system of state ownership of land is the one of the most importantcontents. On the other hand, due to the respect for the original common law, Nigeriaalso keeps some customary laws concerning land effective.This paper first analyses legislation background, basic contents, maincharacteristics of the "Land Use Act" of Nigeria, then makes a deep analysis of itsdomestic and international influence, especially its side impact on Niger Delta. Onthis basis, combined with the content of the law, the article outlines the defects of thelaw. Finally, on the basis of the above analysis, this paper discusses the reasons ofwhy the law continues to be effective, of which, oil interests drive is the direct cause,and single economic structure of the policy the indirect one.With the continuous development of economy, the relevant provisions of the"Land Use Act" cannot fundamentally solve the problems of land in Nigeria, and havealso caused many serious social problems.As a result, many experts and scholars putforward some recommendations, and the government of Nigeria begins to think abouta new round of reform. The unique historical experiences special economic and socialdevelopment of Nigeria determines the characteristics of the existing land law. Finally,on the basis of the reasons for the exist of the "Land Use Act", this paper points outthat the Nigerian government need to improve the measures in view of the currentlegal system, and some targeted suggestions are put forward.