The Land Question in Nigeria: Conservation, Resources Allocation and Socio Cultural Impact on Nation-Building Since 1914

Abstract

This paper critically examines the nature of Nigeria’s land and water resources, its allocation and conservation by the federal government to her citizenry and the overall impact on nation- building since the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914. The paper utilized a historical analysis of the events and methodologies used by the government to allocate the resources of the land and to assess to what extent it has been able to justifiably carryout the task to the satisfaction of the various ethnic and political composition of the country since independence. The study resorted to extensive analyses of government reports, policy and oral assessment in the evaluation of the nature of both land and water resources problems and impacts in Nigeria. The paper further highlighted the socio-economic impact of not just tapping the various resources of the federation but problems associated with resources and how it has affected the growth of the nation and as well hampered its building on equal basis. Another major issue that is resultant from this study is that of ecological problems and the call for justice by the ethnic groups from whose lands these resources are tapped and their environment which has been debased of its conservation rights and abused over the years. The study discovered that in order to serve the nation better and to be more effective, the government and environmentalists generally needs to improve their political/administrative skills and forge broader alliances with more citizen groups around common interests in sustainability. In order to enhance, the process of nation-building and improve ethnic harmony, the paper argues for a collaborative methodology that should analyze Nigeria’s agricultural and ecological problems by reviewing evidence of the risk they present to human health, well-being as well as to the ecosystem.