Appraisal of Procedures and Beneficiaries of Residential Land Allocation in Katsina State, Nigeria

Statutory land allocation is done to ensure equity in the distribution of land resources for the socio-economic development of the citizenry of a state. This paper examines the formal procedure followed in allocating residential land and describes the people that benefited from the allocation in Katsina State within the period 1999 – 2018. The research employed the use of qualitative data on formal procedure of residential land allocation and quantitative data on the number and socio-economic characteristics of the beneficiaries. Primary data were sourced from Katsina State Ministry of Lands and Survey and the state’s Urban and Regional Planning Board through interviews with some officials. Applicants’ files were used to gather socio-economic and demographic data of the beneficiaries. Systematic sampling technique was employed, to select a sample of 374 files. Qualitative data were aggregated, summarized and the formal procedure of land allocation was presented in diagram and narrative forms. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the quantitative data. It is found that the procedure for residential land allocation in the area followed eight steps and many paper works are involved in the process. It is observed that there are many delays encountered in the procedure especially at the stage of the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. The process is skewed in favour of the politicians and political office holders which received 70 % of the total allocation. It is recommended that the allocation should adequately consider the low-income categories of people. The procedure of land allocation should also be smooth and seamless so as to reduce unnecessary delays.