Land Rights and the Land Use Act 1978: An Examination of Compulsory Acquisition and Compensation in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

The Land Use Act 1978 vests all land in the state, managed by state governors, fundamentally altering the pre-existing customary and statutory land tenure systems across Nigeria. Its provisions on compulsory acquisition and compensation have been particularly contentious in rapidly urbanising states such as Ogun in South West Nigeria, where infrastructure development, industrial parks, and real estate projects regularly displace farming and residential communities. This study examines the legal framework for compulsory land acquisition and compensation under the Land Use Act 1978, focusing on Ogun State as a case study. A doctrinal approach is adopted, analysing the Land Use Act, the Ogun State Land Use (Compensation) Regulations, selected court decisions, and documented land acquisition cases from the Ogun State Land Bureau between 2018 and 2023. The study evaluates whether compensation mechanisms meet constitutional standards of fair and adequate compensation as implied by Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution. Available land law literature from South West Nigeria identifies undervaluation of compensation, delays in payment, and inadequate community consultation as the most common violations. The Property Rights Framework and the Social Function of Property Theory guide the analytical approach. Recommendations address statutory revision of compensation standards, independent valuation commissions, and judicial reforms to expedite land compensation disputes. Keywords: Land Use Act, compulsory acquisition, compensation, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.