By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
Yusuf Bala Usman Institute Research Links Land Disputes to Insecurity
The Yusuf Bala Usman Institute on Monday presented findings from a research project examining land governance, environmental change and insecurity across four northern Nigerian states, highlighting strong links between land ownership disputes and rising violence in rural communities.
The findings were unveiled at a stakeholder meeting held at Alhujrat Hotel in Katsina on March 30, attended by academics, traditional rulers, government officials, securities and civil society representatives.
According to the institute, the study covered Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa and Bauchi states and was conducted over approximately 18 months, with fieldwork carried out between late 2024 and 2025 during both rainy and dry seasons.
Lead researcher Dr. Adam Higazi said the project aimed to identify the root causes of land-related conflicts and their connection to environmental degradation and insecurity.
“The objective was to understand how land disputes and weak governance structures contribute to environmental stress and insecurity, and to propose practical solutions,” Higazi said.
He added that the research employed a mix of qualitative and field-based methods, including interviews with traditional leaders, farmers, herders, women and youth, as well as site visits to affected communities.
Another member of the research team, Dr. Sani Ibrahim Dabai, said the study found a significant correlation between land ownership challenges, changes in land use and escalating insecurity, particularly in rural areas.
“We observed that the conversion of grazing reserves into farmland and unresolved land ownership issues are key drivers of conflict,” Dabai said.
Participants at the meeting raised concerns over the allocation of large tracts of land to individuals and companies without adequate consultation or compensation for affected communities.
The report noted that, over the past 15 to 20 years, land ownership in some areas has increasingly shifted from communal control to private hands, often disadvantaging local populations.
In Katsina State, some residents reported losing access to their land without compensation, forcing them to lease farmland for cultivation, according to the findings.
On security, the study documented a rise in armed banditry across the northwest region, resulting in livestock losses, displacement and economic disruption.
It also highlighted environmental impacts, including deforestation, the conversion of forest land to farmland and the loss of biodiversity.
The report further pointed to declining agricultural productivity and increasing poverty, with affected populations resorting to alternative livelihoods to survive.
The institute called on the Katsina State government to establish transparent mechanisms for land acquisition and compensation, protect grazing reserves and strengthen local conflict resolution systems.
It also urged the federal government to ensure effective implementation of the Land Use Act of 1978 and to allow greater community participation in land-related decision-making.
Additionally, the report recommended enhanced cross-border security cooperation among Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states to address the spread of insecurity.
Development partners were encouraged to support scientific research, environmental restoration and livelihood programmes for conflict-affected communities.
Higazi said the stakeholder meeting formed part of a broader consultation process before the release of the institute’s final report.
“Our goal is for this research to inform policy reforms, improve livelihoods and reduce conflict in affected regions,” he said.
