Examination of Proprietary Land Structure in Amaigbo, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The proprietary structure of land throughout Nigeria and among the Amaigbos in the Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State was examined. The proprietary land structure, which sheds light on absolute and derivative interest, was the subject of the study. Despite the passage of the Land Use Act of I978, the Igbo people traditionally understood property ownership to be of the absolute interest and derived interest basically. The Amaigbo community was no exception to the sacredness of Igbo land ownership, which was further demonstrated by the practice of only transferring land to sons. Women are only permitted to use land by virtue of their status as daughters or wives in the family, which is similar to the derivative interest. Three periods comprised the ownership pattern: before, during, and after colonization. The analysis of this pattern is being conducted at present time. The study's data collection methods included important interviews and historical records. Land was not originally subject to sale, but as the population grew, land pledges, sales, and occasional land exchanges occurred. It was determined that the Amaigbo people now sell land and have welcomed the modernization and progress brought about by the colonial authority.