Background of the Study
Land ownership is a critical aspect of real estate development and economic growth in Plateau State, Nigeria. However, land disputes, particularly those related to unclear or unregistered property titles, have been a longstanding issue, impacting both local communities and investors. The process of property title registration is meant to provide legal recognition and protection for property owners, ensuring that ownership rights are clearly documented and easily transferable. The system of title registration in Nigeria, however, has been fraught with challenges that contribute to land ownership disputes (Adegbite & Ajayi, 2023).
The formalization of land ownership through title registration is essential for ensuring transparency, reducing fraud, and enhancing property transactions. In Plateau State, the registration process includes several stages, including the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and registration with the Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUC) (Bashir & Ibrahim, 2024). Despite these mechanisms, the title registration process in Plateau State has been criticized for inefficiencies, lengthy bureaucratic procedures, and corruption, which often result in ambiguities in land ownership, leading to disputes (Tijani & Alabi, 2023).
Land disputes have significant economic and social consequences, including delayed property transactions, stalled development projects, and reduced investor confidence. These disputes often arise when multiple individuals or entities claim ownership of the same land, and unclear or unregistered titles exacerbate these conflicts. The land title registration process is therefore integral in reducing disputes by ensuring clear and verifiable ownership rights. However, many landowners in Plateau State are yet to fully register their properties, leading to an increase in land ownership conflicts.
This study will evaluate the property title registration processes in Plateau State and assess their impact on land ownership disputes. By examining the registration procedures, challenges, and outcomes, the research aims to provide recommendations for improving the effectiveness of property title registration systems in reducing land ownership disputes.
Statement of the Problem
Land ownership disputes remain one of the most significant challenges in real estate development in Plateau State, Nigeria. The existing property title registration processes are often perceived as inefficient, leading to ambiguity in land ownership and frequent disputes between multiple claimants. Many landowners, particularly in rural areas, lack proper documentation of their land ownership, and the process of registering property titles has been hindered by bureaucratic delays, corruption, and a lack of awareness (Gimba & Yusuf, 2024). This problem has a direct impact on property transactions, investment decisions, and the overall real estate market in Plateau State. The study aims to investigate how these registration processes affect land ownership disputes and explore ways to enhance the registration system to promote clear ownership rights and reduce conflicts.
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on property title registration processes in Plateau State, Nigeria, particularly examining how these processes impact land ownership disputes. The research will primarily focus on landowners and real estate professionals who are directly affected by these processes. Limitations of the study may include challenges in accessing detailed records on land disputes and registration processes, as well as potential biases in self-reported data from stakeholders involved in land transactions.
Definitions of Terms
ABSTRACT
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