Land Wars and Wealth: RSU Lecture Sparks Urgent Call for Reform

 

Land Wars and Wealth: RSU Lecture Sparks Urgent Call for Reform

At Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, intellectual intensity met practical urgency as the institution hosted its landmark 130th Inaugural Lecture, delivering a thought-provoking exploration into one of humanity’s most enduring assets under the theme “Land As Man’s Epicentre: Interrogating the Roses and Thorns Under Nigerian Law.”

The lecture, delivered by the Dean of Law, Professor Grace Ogonda Akolokwu, drew a distinguished audience to the Barr. Nyesom Wike Senate Building on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and immediately set the tone for a deep legal and socio-economic interrogation of land as both a source of wealth and a crucible of conflict in Nigeria.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, framed land as the bedrock upon which all other resources are built, emphasizing that while its ownership remains invaluable, it is persistently entangled in disputes that destabilize communities. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to addressing such challenges through rigorous academic research and scholarly engagement, expressing confidence that the inaugural lecturer would exemplify the institution’s intellectual leadership.

Taking the podium, Professor Akolokwu delivered a commanding lecture that positioned land not merely as a physical asset but as the very epicentre of human existence, shaping identity, development, and economic advancement. She argued that the complexity of land ownership in Nigeria stems from the uneasy coexistence of customary and statutory legal frameworks, where possession often reflects control, yet rights are defined by enforceable legal claims.

Central to her discourse was the interpretation of the Land Use Act, which vests land in state governors, excluding federal holdings. She clarified that such ownership is fundamentally managerial rather than absolute, stressing that revocation of land for overriding public interest must be accompanied by compensation, unlike revocation arising from breach of conditions, which attracts none.

With striking clarity, she unpacked what she described as the “roses” of land rights, highlighting opportunities for wealth creation, agricultural development, collateralization for business, housing, and exploitation of natural resources such as timber. However, these benefits are sharply counterbalanced by the “thorns,” which she identified as constitutional limitations, bureaucratic bottlenecks, compulsory acquisition practices with inadequate compensation, conflicting age-related legal provisions, and the persistent exclusion of landowners and states from ownership of mineral resources beneath their land.

According to her, these structural defects have far-reaching consequences, including poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and a stifling of real estate development across the country. She described the current framework as one riddled with what she termed “legal pollution,” inhibiting citizens from fully enjoying their land rights.

Professor Akolokwu’s recommendations were as bold as they were far-reaching. She called for constitutional and legislative amendments to harmonize Nigeria’s dual land tenure systems, the criminalization of land grabbing with stringent penalties, and the elimination of bureaucratic delays in obtaining consent for land transactions. She advocated for the establishment of digital land registries to enhance transparency and efficiency, alongside reforms to ensure equitable sharing of mineral wealth with host communities and state governments.

She further urged the removal of discriminatory customary practices against women, the introduction of low-interest housing schemes, and the adoption of ranching laws to address insecurity linked to land use conflicts. Her proposals also included curbing multiple taxation and ensuring timely administrative processes in land governance.

In his closing remarks, Professor Zeb-Obipi described the lecture as intellectually rich and practically relevant, commending the lecturer for articulating land as the “A to Z of man” and systematically addressing its legal, economic, and social dimensions. He noted that her identification of eleven benefits and twelve critical challenges, along with actionable recommendations, provided a comprehensive roadmap for reform.

The event featured ceremonial highlights, including the decoration of the inaugural lecturer by the Vice-Chancellor and a group photograph that captured the momentous occasion.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Professor GB Okon expressed gratitude to God and acknowledged the presence of key dignitaries, university leadership, and stakeholders whose contributions continue to strengthen the institution’s academic environment. He praised the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership and noted the growing significance of inaugural lectures as platforms for impactful scholarship.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Justice Mary Ukaego Odili, who represented Dr. Peter Odili, former Governor of Rivers State, alongside an array of eminent scholars and public figures.

In a post-lecture interaction with journalists, Professor Akolokwu reiterated her position that the current legal framework governing land in Nigeria requires urgent reform. She proposed a ten-year imprisonment term or a ten million naira fine for land grabbers, arguing that such measures would serve as effective deterrents. She also questioned the necessity of consent requirements in land transactions, describing them as impediments that frustrate economic activity, and maintained that digitized systems would offer a more efficient alternative.

As the curtain fell on the 130th Inaugural Lecture, one message resonated unmistakably: land remains humanity’s most fundamental asset, and until its governance is just, efficient, and inclusive, its full potential will remain unrealized.

Anchored by Destiny Tamunoala Emmanuel