Impact of Digital Land Administration on Land Tenure Security in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Isah IBRAHIM1; Innocent E. BELLO2; Alex S. ORTESE3; A. MAHMUD4; J. I. MAGAJI

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no10.2026.pg443.454

📄 Download Paper

Impact of Digital Land Administration on Land Tenure Security in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Isah IBRAHIM1, Innocent E. BELLO2, Alex S. ORTESE3, A. MAHMUD4, J. I. MAGAJI

Abstract

This study examined the impact of digital land administration on land tenure security in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, focusing on the efficiency of the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service , and trends in mortgage registrations and Certificates of Occupancy. Data were obtained from 520 respondents comprising NAGIS clients, landowners, and relevant stakeholders, alongside administrative records. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and time-series analysis were used to examine the relationships and trends. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between NAGIS efficiency and land tenure security r=0.445, p<0.001. Customer satisfaction r=0.682, p<0.001, deed-record efficiency r=0.721, p<0.001, and access to services among rural and vulnerable groups r=0.681, p<0.001 also showed significant positive relationships with land-administration outcomes. The descriptive findings indicated favourable perceptions of documentation efficiency, transparency, accessibility, and service reliability, although operational challenges persisted. Administrative records indicated increasing trends in mortgage registrations and Certificates of Occupancy over the study period. The study concludes that digital land administration is positively associated with land tenure security, but its effectiveness depends on reliable records, efficient service delivery, and equitable access. It recommends strengthening NAGIS operations, improving deed-record management, expanding access for underserved groups, and monitoring registration trends to support evidence-based land-administration policies.

Keywords

Digital Land AdministrationLand Tenure SecurityNagisDeed RecordsMortgage RegistrationNasarawa State.

References

Akingbade, A. O., Navarra, D. D., Georgiadou, Y., & Zevenbergen, J. A. (2012). A case study of geo-ICT for e-government in Nigeria: Does computerisation reduce corruption in the provision of land administration services? Survey Review, 44(327), 290–300 Babalola, K. H., & Hull, S. A. (2019). Examining the Land Use Act of 1978 and its effects on tenure security in Nigeria: A case study of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 22, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2019/v22i0a5803 Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd. (n.d.). Shemankar–Katsina-Ala catchment management plan: Baseline report, Annex I1. Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project. Nasarawa Geographic Information Service. (n.d.). About NAGIS. https://www.nagis.na.gov.ng/about-us Nasarawa State Government, Ministry for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs. (n.d.). About the ministry. https://mlgcda.com.ng/about Nwuba, C. C., & Nuhu, S. R. (2018). Challenges to land registration in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Journal of African Real Estate Research, 3(1), 141–172. Steudler, D., Rajabifard, A., & Williamson, I. P. (2004). Evaluation of land administration systems. Land Use Policy, 21(4), 371–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2003.05.001 Thontteh, E. O., & Omirin, M. (2020). Land administration reform in Lagos State: An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Electronic Document Management System. Unilag Journal of Humanities, 8(2). Thontteh, E. O., & Omirin, M. M. (2015). Land registration within the framework of land administration reform in Lagos State. Pacific Rim Property Research Journal, 21(2), 161– 177.

Impact of Digital Land Administration on Land Tenure Security in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT