Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to identify legal loopholes, particularly constitutional and economic factors that require reforms to put an end to the lingering crisis. It argues that the current Land Use Act is particularly outdated and must be reformed to match current socio-economic realities.

Paper long abstract:

The recent surge in the spate of violent clashes between nomadic herders from northern Nigeria and sedentary agrarian communities in the North Central and Southern parts of the country have raised a number of legal and political questions that had been long overlooked. Issues arising from the phenomenon range from the questions over constitutionally guaranteed rights such as the right to life, the right to freedom of movement, the right to own property, to questions over the inadequacies of Nigeria's security apparatus as well as calls for land use reforms. The constant conflicts between the Fulani who are culturally cattle herders and agrarian communities have reached unprecedented levels leading to accusations of coordinated attempts at land grab, ethnic cleansing, jihad and insurgency, threatening the country's security and stability in the process. Fiscally, the destruction of lives and property and the state of insecurity emanating from the clashes has come at a great cost of $16 billion in potential revenue. In no small measure have these clashes been precipitated by climate change and the consequent drought in the Sahara region. This paper analyses the role of the Nigerian state in balancing the various interests of affected groups in the clashes. At its core, it seeks to identify legal loopholes, particularly constitutional and economic factors that require reforms to put an end to the lingering crisis. It argues that the current land use regime in the country is particularly outdated and must be reformed to match current socio-economic realities.