Constitutional Right to Land in Nigeria and Kenya: A Comparative Analysis

Bariabee Pyaneedam Namene; Nuleera Ambrose Duson

doi:10.56201/JLGP.vol.10.no2.2025.pg151.159

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Constitutional Right to Land in Nigeria and Kenya: A Comparative Analysis

Bariabee Pyaneedam Namene & Nuleera Ambrose Duson

Abstract

This article critically appraised constitutional right to land in Nigeria and Kenya. There is a constitutional right to land in Nigeria and Kenya respectively. Therefore, every citizen of Nigeria has the constitutional right to acquire and own land in any part of the country as guaranteed under the provision of section 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). A person can only be dispossessed of same through payment of compensation as provided under section 44(1)(a) of the CFRN and section 29 of the Land Use Act 1978. While there is a constitutional right to land in Kenya pursuant to article 61 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, an individual can be dispossessed of the land but Such acquisition must be followed by payment of compensation which must be just and full in accordance with the provision of Article 40(3)(b) of the same Constitution. The court is allowed to entertain matters relating to the amount or adequacy of any compensation payable to a landowner unlike the situation under section 47(2) of the Land Use Act 1978 of Nigeria that denies the court to entertain such matter. The article recommended amongst others that the Land Use Act in Nigeria be amended, making a just compensation in full to every person whose land is acquired.

Keywords

Constitutional RightLandHuman RightsCompensationValuation

References

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), s 43. Ibid. V O Ige, 'Compulsory Land Acquisition and Compensation in Nigeria: Coastal Communal Perception' [2016] (9) (5) Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies & Management:545. K Viitanen and I Kakulu, 'Global Concerns in Compulsory Purchase and Compensation Processes' [2009] International Federation of Surveyors;5. A M Mbila and E Shikoli, 'Application of the Doctrine of Eminent Domain in Kenya: Towards A Rights-Based Approach to Compensation' [2019]:4. Ibid. Constitution of Kenya 2010, art 68. Ibid, arts 62, 63 and 64. CU Ezeh and Others, 'Land Tenure System in Nigeria and the need for Environmental Sustainability' [2022] 7 (1) Jewel Journal of Scientific Research (JJSR);9. E Malemi, The Nigerian Constitutional Law (1st edn, Princeton Publishing Co. Ikeja 2006) 1. Ibid. (n1), Chapter IV. Ibid, Chapter II. Ibid, s 45(1). Ibid. Ibid. C C Wigwe, Land Use and Management Law (Mountcrest University Press 2016) 7. N Tobi, Cases and Materials on Nigerian Land Law (Mabrochi Books Lagos 1997) 8. Ibid. Ibrahim v Yola (1986) 4 (pt 1) 98 at 115. Wigwe (n17) 8. Attorney-General v Brotherton (1992) 1 All ER 230 at 244, per Lord Oliver. NK Akani, 'A Critical Appraisal of the Right to Human Dignity Vis-A-Vis the Rights of Women in Nigeria' [2019];3. Oko v A.G., Ebonyi State (2021) 14 (pt 1795) 75. Mujaid v IBEDC (2021) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1791) 543; Ekeocha v E.F.C.C (2008) 14 NWLR (pt 1791) 543; Dangtoe v C.S.C. Plateau (2001) 9 NWLR (pt 717) 132; Egbonu v B.R.T.C. (1997) 12 NWLR (pt 531) 132; W.A.E.C v Adeyanju (2008) 9 NWLR (pt 1092) 270. A Anuar and M N Daud, 'Payment of Adequate Compensation for Land Acquisition in Malaysia' [2006] 12 (3) Pacific Rim Property Research Journal;330. Ibid. (n1), s 1(1). Ibid, s 1 (3). Ibid, s 43. Ibid, s 44(1). Ibid, s 44(1)(b). Ibid, s 315(5)(d). Ibid, s 6. LUA 1978, preamble. Ibid, s 5; Adeniran v Alao (1992) 2 NWLR (pt 223) 350. (n35), s 34(2); Teniola v Olohunkin (1999) 5 NWLR (pt 602) 280. (n35), s 5(2); Olagunju v Adeseye (2009) 9 NWLR (pt 1146) 225. (1996) 4 NWLR (pt 445) 622. (1995) 1 NWLR (pt 372). Ibid. (n35), s 6(2). Ibid, s 28. (1995) 5 NWLR (pt 397) 586 at 602. Ibid. (n35), s 29. Railroad Co. Ltd. v Deninan (2008) 10 Min 280. K Davies, Law of Compulsory Purchase and Compensation (2nd edn, Butter Worths, London 1975) 41; Horn v Sunderland Corporation (1941) 2 KB 26; (1941) 1 All ER 480. Ibid. CK 2010, art 61(1). Ibid, art 61(2). Ibid, art 66(1). Ibid, art 40(3). Ibid, art 40(3)(b). NLCA 2012, s 3. Ibid, s 5(1). Ibid, s 6. Land Act, 2012, s 111(2). Ibid, s 113. (2017) eKLR 48. Ibid. Environment and Land Court Act 2011, s 4(1). Ibid, s 13(2)(b). (2013) eKLR 55. Ibid. (2014) eKLR 56. Ibid. (n58), s 161. Ibid. s 2.

Constitutional Right to Land in Nigeria and Kenya: A Comparative Analysis

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