The Land Is Enough for Everyone: Why the Fight?

Why is it that, despite the abundance of land in Nigeria, conflicts primarily over land still occur in several communities? There might not be a straightforward answer to the question due to the complexities in the uneven distribution of resources, human behaviour, ethnicity, religiosity, and cultural implications. Thus, with a population of 236,952,221 competing for a landmass of 923,768 km², assuming the entire land is usable, arguably implies that every individual could utilise a landholding of 256 km². All citizens should be satisfied. This simple analogy suggests that a land crisis may not be solely a matter of scarcity but rather something more profound and complex, requiring a detailed examination. This study aimed to investigate the root causes of the persistent land crisis in Nigeria by using a case study of Mararaba-Udege in Nasarawa State. Key informants, including community heads, security personnel, and denizens, were interviewed to gather reliable data. The study dismisses the land scarcity theory as reductionist and finds that complex issues, including faulty traditional land tenure systems, inheritance customs, political interference, and socio-economic interests, fuel the crisis. The intensity of the situation has left the once-vibrant local food commercial hub in a state of desolation, prompting its inhabitants to disperse to distant locations for their safety. The results of this analysis will contribute to a growing body of knowledge and inform solutions to the numerous land crises in the area and in Nigeria as a whole.