TITLE** CHALLENGES OF LAND ACQUISITION AND COMPENSATION UNDER THE LAND USE ACT IN NIGERIA

**Abstract** From time immemorial, land has been a sine qua non to the existence of man and expansion of the community. Urbanization depends largely on the availability of land to the government for the construction of infrastructures and facilities that are basic to the survival and development of man. The system that preceded the Land Use Act 1978 did not support acquisition. This has therefore formed the basis of the enactment of the Land Use Act in 1978 which provisions were objectively aimed at ensuring the acquisition of land with ease and at less expensive rates. However, the new system of land holding introduced by the Land Use Act has been rocked by many challenges and problems facing the acquisition and compensation of lands for public purpose under the Act. This fact has relegated the effectiveness of the Act. This research work seeks to investigate the background of the Land Use Act and uncover problems underlying the structure of acquisition and compensation for compulsory acquisition of lands for public purpose. The study at the need shall strike a balance between conflicting societal interest to hold lands and the need to acquire more lands for community expansion and development. Critical recommendations shall be made to subside this ill system and unveil a new governmental attitude in land acquisition to ensure land security.