LAND TENURE SYSTEM AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONFLICT IN NORTH EAST OF NIGERIA

Having access to land in Nigeria has remained a source of concern to many. Land is central to development and the exploitation of other natural resources. That is why nations over the world have each developed its land tenure system so as to deal with the challenges that may arise from the exploration of land as a basic natural resource. The challenges of land tenure system have contributor to food insecurity and restricted access to essential social development. This paper identified critical and priority land issues as it regard land tenure system and natural resource conflict in Northeast Nigeria. It also looked at the various Land tenure systems that have been operational in Nigeria prior to the colonial era, to the colonial period and post-colonial era. It specifically held that, the 1978 Land Use Decree was a game changer in the area of land ownership in Nigeria. That notwithstanding, there is sufficient evidence that, the 1978 Land Use Act needs to be reviewed in order to meet up with the basic objective of land for all.