Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has declared that the President of Nigeria has no authority over landed property in any state, citing the Land Use Act of 1978. Falana emphasized that the federal government's control is limited to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
"Under the Land Use Act, the federal government has no control over land in Nigeria outside the Federal Capital Territory," Falana stated. He added that governors hold land in trust for their people, making it unconstitutional for the federal government to impose land policies on states ¹ ².
Falana urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize addressing widespread poverty rather than urging governors to act. He suggested focusing on implementing impactful social policies and fully funding existing welfare programs ².
This stance sparks debate on land ownership and governance in Nigeria, highlighting the need for clarity on federal and state powers.
