Ngozi Olehi, SAN, Calls for 50-Year Land Management Blueprint in Imo State
Renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and public affairs analyst, Barrister Ngozi Olehi, SAN, has emphasized the urgent need for a 50-year land management blueprint in Imo State to address the mounting challenges of population growth, climate change, and poor urban planning.
Speaking in Owerri, Barrister Olehi warned that without a well-articulated long-term land-use strategy, Imo could face severe land shortages and the social and economic crises that accompany landlessness in the coming decades.
“Imo State is the third smallest in land area in Nigeria, yet its population of nearly six million is projected to triple within the next fifty years,” he stated. “If we do not plan ahead, we risk creating a future of land scarcity, social tension, and economic stagnation.”
Strategic Land Use: A Foundation for Growth
Barrister Olehi noted that Imo State currently ranks as the 14th most populous state in Nigeria, occupying a limited landmass that cannot be physically expanded. He stressed that strategic and sustainable land-use planning is crucial to improving access to markets, infrastructure, and transportation networks — all of which are key drivers of economic development.
“Without effective land management, human capital will remain underutilized,” he said. “This will make multidimensional poverty, unemployment, and insecurity a permanent feature of the state’s future.”
He further explained that responsible land management prevents degradation, ensures the sustainable use of natural resources, and enhances long-term economic productivity. However, he warned that climate change — driven largely by human activities — continues to worsen land utility through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems and food systems.
The Cost of Reckless Land Use
The Senior Advocate decried the growing recklessness in land allocation, land grabbing, and unplanned construction across the state, cautioning that such practices threaten development and productivity.
“Even in the most remote areas, indiscriminate land use and poor planning hinder progress and breed environmental degradation,” he said. “Land remains the foundation for wealth creation, agriculture, housing, industrialization, and infrastructure. Its misuse today will mortgage the economic future of the state.”
A Call for Visionary Governance
Barrister Olehi criticized the absence of long-term development culture in Nigeria, observing that most government plans in the past 15 years have been short-term and politically motivated, designed to win elections rather than drive genuine progress.
He warned that the impacts of climate change — including severe flooding, droughts, and disruption of water and food systems — threaten both the environment and human survival, and urged the government of Imo State to act swiftly.
“The toxic activities of land grabbers are destroying Imo’s land resources,” he said. “The government must urgently develop a comprehensive land management blueprint that safeguards the rights of current and future generations. Land is essential to food security, human survival, and economic stability.”
Benefits of Long-Term Planning
Barrister Olehi emphasized that long-term development planning enhances decision-making, strengthens resource management, and builds resilience by preparing for future uncertainties.
“A well-conceived 50-year plan provides clarity, reduces waste, and promotes innovation,” he noted. “It aligns governance with enduring goals, improves efficiency, and positions the state for sustainable growth.”
He concluded by urging policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders to adopt forward-looking land management strategies that balance environmental preservation with economic expansion — ensuring Imo’s land remains a blessing, not a burden, for generations to come.
Speaking in Owerri, Barrister Olehi warned that without a well-articulated long-term land-use strategy, Imo could face severe land shortages and the social and economic crises that accompany landlessness in the coming decades.
“Imo State is the third smallest in land area in Nigeria, yet its population of nearly six million is projected to triple within the next fifty years,” he stated. “If we do not plan ahead, we risk creating a future of land scarcity, social tension, and economic stagnation.”
Strategic Land Use: A Foundation for Growth
Barrister Olehi noted that Imo State currently ranks as the 14th most populous state in Nigeria, occupying a limited landmass that cannot be physically expanded. He stressed that strategic and sustainable land-use planning is crucial to improving access to markets, infrastructure, and transportation networks — all of which are key drivers of economic development.
“Without effective land management, human capital will remain underutilized,” he said. “This will make multidimensional poverty, unemployment, and insecurity a permanent feature of the state’s future.”
He further explained that responsible land management prevents degradation, ensures the sustainable use of natural resources, and enhances long-term economic productivity. However, he warned that climate change — driven largely by human activities — continues to worsen land utility through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems and food systems.
The Cost of Reckless Land Use
The Senior Advocate decried the growing recklessness in land allocation, land grabbing, and unplanned construction across the state, cautioning that such practices threaten development and productivity.
“Even in the most remote areas, indiscriminate land use and poor planning hinder progress and breed environmental degradation,” he said. “Land remains the foundation for wealth creation, agriculture, housing, industrialization, and infrastructure. Its misuse today will mortgage the economic future of the state.”
A Call for Visionary Governance
Barrister Olehi criticized the absence of long-term development culture in Nigeria, observing that most government plans in the past 15 years have been short-term and politically motivated, designed to win elections rather than drive genuine progress.
He warned that the impacts of climate change — including severe flooding, droughts, and disruption of water and food systems — threaten both the environment and human survival, and urged the government of Imo State to act swiftly.
“The toxic activities of land grabbers are destroying Imo’s land resources,” he said. “The government must urgently develop a comprehensive land management blueprint that safeguards the rights of current and future generations. Land is essential to food security, human survival, and economic stability.”
Benefits of Long-Term Planning
Barrister Olehi emphasized that long-term development planning enhances decision-making, strengthens resource management, and builds resilience by preparing for future uncertainties.
“A well-conceived 50-year plan provides clarity, reduces waste, and promotes innovation,” he noted. “It aligns governance with enduring goals, improves efficiency, and positions the state for sustainable growth.”
He concluded by urging policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders to adopt forward-looking land management strategies that balance environmental preservation with economic expansion — ensuring Imo’s land remains a blessing, not a burden, for generations to come.
