Land Use Conflicts Threaten Nigeria’s Stability – Bagudu Warns

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has raised concerns over the growing threat of land use conflicts in Nigeria, warning that they pose a serious risk to national stability.

Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, Bagudu explained that many clashes across both urban and rural communities are driven by poor land use practices and weak planning systems. According to him, unmanaged spaces often become hotspots for tension and violence.

“Many of the conflicts we face today stem from how we use land and space. Poor planning breeds tension, while good planning fosters peace and prosperity,” he said.

The minister made these remarks during the inaugural Annual Advocacy Lecture of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy held in Abuja. He also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to building an inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven economy, with a target of reaching a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Bagudu emphasized that achieving this ambitious goal would require deliberate planning, collaboration, and active participation from stakeholders across all sectors. He noted that development efforts must integrate physical, environmental, social, and financial planning.

He further disclosed that Nigeria is currently finalising its 2026 National Development Plan, which will serve as a key framework for driving economic transformation and aligning with the government’s long-term vision.

“Mr President believes that development must include everyone, be sustainable over time, and embrace innovation, because what worked yesterday may not work today,” he added.

Bagudu stressed that planning should go beyond infrastructure, focusing instead on how people coexist within communities. He called for a shift toward forward-thinking solutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister also urged stronger coordination among federal, state, and local governments, alongside the adoption of modern planning strategies to effectively manage population growth and technological advancements for sustainable national development.

Report by Progress Godfrey