Land Tenure Security and Agricultural Productivity: Legal Perspectives from Borno State

Insecure land tenure is widely recognised as a constraint on agricultural investment and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. In Borno State, North East Nigeria, the intersection of ongoing security challenges, displacement, and informal land governance has compounded tenure insecurity for farming communities. This research examines the relationship between land tenure security and agricultural productivity from a legal perspective in Borno State, analysing the Land Use Act's role in shaping farmer access to land and the practical barriers to certificate of occupancy acquisition. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining structured interviews with 120 smallholder farmers in Maiduguri environs and Biu local government area with analysis of land administration records and agricultural extension reports from 2019 to 2024. Secondary data was sourced from the International Land Coalition, FAO Nigeria publications, and peer-reviewed agricultural economics studies. Findings indicate that fewer than 20 percent of sampled farmers hold formal documentation of their land rights, and most rely on informal community-based tenure arrangements that offer limited security against displacement by government or powerful private interests. The study documents a clear association between documented tenure security and willingness to invest in improved agricultural inputs. Recommendations include administrative simplification of the certificate of occupancy process, establishment of a community land documentation programme in Borno State, and legal reforms to recognise customary group tenure rights. Keywords: land tenure, agricultural productivity, Borno State, Land Use Act, certificate of occupancy.