Land Use Act 1978. Country/Territory Nigeria Document type Legislation Date 1978 (2013) Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to vest all land comprised in the territory of each State (except land vested in the Federal Government or its agencies) solely in the Governor of the State, who would hold such land in trust for the people and would henceforth be responsible for allocation of land in all urban areas to individuals resident in the State and to organisations for residential, agricultural, commercial and other purposes while similar powers with respect to non-urban areas are conferred on Local Governments. Subject Land & soil Keyword Basic legislation Land tenure Public land Expropriation Land reform Transfer Agricultural land Urban land Traditional rights/customary rights Land-use planning Access-to-justice Geographical area Africa, North Atlantic, Western Africa Abstract This Act vests all land comprised in the territory of each State in the Federation in the Governor of that State and requires that such land shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the provisions of this Act. In each State a Land Use and Allocation Committee shall be established. Such committee shall be responsible for advising the Governor on land management and resettlement issues. The Governor may declare urban areas and land controlled by the military shall be administered separately. The Governor may, in respect of land, whether or not in an urban areas, grant statutory rights of occupancy to any person for all purposes and grant easements appurtenant to statutory rights occupancy. The Governor may waive all or any of the covenant or conditions applying to a right of occupancy. The local government may grant rights of customary occupancy in respect of land to be used for agricultural purposes. The Act further defines rights and duties of occupants and regulates the determination and payment of rents, the alienation and surrender of rights of occupancy, revocation of rights of occupancy and compensation therefore and some other matters of miscellaneous character. It shall be lawful for the Governor to revoke a right of (customary) occupancy for overriding public interest. Full text English Website www.placng.org