Agricultural Reform: Expert Calls for Land Use Act Review to Empower Nigerian Farmers

Nigerian farmers are being failed by a flawed system that sees land meant for agriculture diverted for other purposes. This was the core message from a professor who has urged the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the nation’s Land Use Act and implement targeted reforms to boost food security.

During his inaugural lecture at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Uzochukwu Onyebinama, argued that the Land Use Act, as currently applied, does not guarantee tenure security for farmers. He pointed out that land acquired by the government ostensibly for agriculturalpurposes is often reallocated to political cronies for the development of housing estates, motor parks, and other non-agricultural ventures.

Professor Onyebinama also presented a broader strategy for agricultural renewal. He advocated for a significant increase in funding for agricultural research and called for direct support to genuine farmers in rural areas through improved facilities and access to credit. He also challenged the global ‘zero-hunger’ campaign, arguing it is an unrealistic goal and proposing a shift in focus to ‘freedom from hunger’—ensuring every person, regardless of their economic status, can afford at least two proper meals daily.To ensure resources reach the intended beneficiaries, the Don recommended that the Federal Government conduct a national census of all authentic farmers to prevent the diversion of agricultural funds to fake individuals. Finally, citing the limited land area of the South East (29,388 square kilometers), he strongly advised the government to abandon any plans to use the region for the controversial Ruga program