Transparency in Land Title Registration: Strategies to Eradicate Corruption in Africa Land Sector

Abstract

Land titles registration is germane to providing proof of individual ownership of land. In recognition of its importance in enhancing property rights, efforts at improving land title registration has increased significantly. Generally, the most vital areas vulnerable to corruption in Africa land sector are land administration, customary land tenure, management of state-owned land, land use planning, family land inheritance, conversion of land use, investments for both present period and speculative purpose among others. Hence, lack of transparency and access to genuine information, political leaders’ superiority, complex laws and procedures regulating land ownership and insufficient access to justice has created uneven distribution of land and it resources. This could have severe implications on African countries economy as it could collapse soonest if continued unabated. Thus, the methodology for this research was a mixed-method survey approach involving the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. The study population were individual land owners, professional groups involved in land transaction such as Lawyers, Estate Surveyors, Land Surveyors, officials of the land registry and other agencies of government responsible for land title registration in Nigeria. Therefore, a semi-structured questionnaire was designed to elicit information from respondents. Findings from the study revealed various strategies that could be employed to eradicate corruption in the Africa land sector.