Thesis Abstract

Land tenure systems play a critical role in shaping land use patterns, property rights, and overall development in many societies. This research project focuses on the land tenure system in Nigeria, specifically in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, using Owerri Municipal Council as a case study. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the land tenure system in the selected area, exploring the historical evolution, the current practices, and the implications for land management and development. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative interviews with key stakeholders such as community leaders, landowners, and government officials, and quantitative surveys to gather data on land ownership patterns, tenure arrangements, and land use practices. The findings of this study reveal a complex land tenure system in the Ikeduru Local Government Area, characterized by a mix of customary, statutory, and informal land tenure arrangements. The historical background of land tenure in the area shows a blend of traditional practices and colonial legacies, which have influenced the current land ownership patterns and practices. The study also highlights the role of the Owerri Municipal Council in land administration and the challenges faced in reconciling traditional and formal land tenure systems. One key finding of this research is the prevalence of land disputes and conflicting claims to land ownership in the study area. These disputes are often rooted in unclear land tenure arrangements, overlapping boundaries, and competing interests among different stakeholders. The lack of proper documentation and land registration further exacerbates these conflicts, leading to social tensions and hindering sustainable land management and development. The implications of the findings suggest the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to land tenure reform in the Ikeduru Local Government Area and similar settings. This includes promoting transparent land administration, strengthening land governance institutions, and enhancing community participation in decision-making processes related to land management. By addressing the underlying issues of land tenure insecurity and conflicts, policymakers and stakeholders can pave the way for more sustainable and equitable land use practices in the study area and beyond.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Land Ownership. … If the state of African women’s studies is as bad as these and other authorities suggest, … Taking the case of the Igbo, for instance, scholars have ….. Mbaise consisting of three local government areas (Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte) was ….. examination of ‘Widowhood Practices’ in Imo State Nigeria. in Igbo communities of South-eastern Nigeria propels the locals to explore the …… Smallholder cooperatives in the study area are independent organisations ….. Cases of family and kindred disputes over land heightened. … Owerri Municipality doubles as both a separate counciland the state capital where the.State Local Government Areas Abia: Aba North, Aba South, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano … IdeatoNorth, Ideato South, Ihitte/Uboma, Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Mbaitoli, … Orsu, Oru East, Oru West,Owerri–Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West, Unuimo. ….. (c) the establishment of research centres for agricultural studies; and.