Stakeholders have advocated the urgent review of the 1978 Land Use Act, saying it has contributed to land disputes, rural poverty and insecurity across the North.

The call was made yesterday in Katsina during the dissemination of research on land governance, ecology, and insecurity in the North, particularly Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Bauch states

Presenting an overview of the study, lead researcher, Adam Higazi, said the law enabled governors to control land allocations, often to the detriment of communities.

Higazi also stated that the Act allows state governments to reallocate communal lands, including forests and grazing reserves to political allies, individuals, and agribusiness investors, without adequate compensation.

He noted that this had led to alienation, depriving farmers and pastoralists of their primary means of livelihood.

He said: ‘’Land alienation is a major source of impoverishment across all the states studied.

‘’The study found that loss of land often forces affected populations into displacement, pushing them into unfamiliar territories where they face increased risks of violence, including banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.

‘’In some instances, displaced individuals are drawn into criminal activities, further escalating insecurity in the region.

‘’For farmers, the loss of land has resulted in reduced agricultural productivity, forced migration, or conversion into wage labourers on lands they once owned.

‘’This creates a deep sense of injustice and fuels tensions within communities.

Participants were urged to reflect on the extent to which land dispossession contributes to banditry, particularly in Katsina.

Acknowledging multiple causes of insecurity, the research highlighted land governance as a critical but often overlooked factor.

Stakeholders also explored whether comprehensive land reform could serve as a viable strategy for peace-building in affected communities.

Large-scale land acquisitions often involve deforestation, leading to the loss of biodiversity, soil fertility, and natural resources such as medicinal plants and grazing

Higazi suggested reducing the concentration of authority in state governments while strengthening land rights for local communities, smallholder farmers, and pastoralists, emphasising  the need for secure land tenure systems that protect livelihoods and promote food security.

The event was organised by the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute, in collaboration with UK international Development, SRING and TETRA TECH, to add information on the reality of insecurity.

Source: The Nation News