This study examines the complexities of land management in urban South-West Nigeria, emphasizing its critical role in achieving sustainable urban development. Despite notable progress, the sector faces significant challenges stemming from the interplay of statutory and customary laws, institutional shortcomings, and rapid urbanization. The research encompasses six state capitals (Ibadan, Osogbo, Akure, Abeokuta, Ikeja, and Ado) drawing on survey data from 713 professionals in estate surveying, land surveying, and town planning. Utilizing the severity index and the Kruskal-Wallis H test, the study identifies several high-severity issues, including inadequate record keeping, a shortage of qualified personnel, and cumbersome administrative procedures. While the severity of these challenges varies regionally, corruption and personnel shortages emerge as particularly pressing concerns. The findings indicate that inefficiencies in land registries, low remuneration for staff, and a disconnect between formal and informal land governance structures are fundamental barriers to effective land administration. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test further corroborates the universality of these issues. To address these challenges, the study advocates for comprehensive multisectoral reforms aimed at enhancing the capacity of urban land management systems. It underscores the importance of collaboration among government entities, traditional leaders, and local communities to harmonize conflicting interests. Ultimately, the research calls for policy reform that aligns with the socio-economic and cultural contexts of urban systems, promoting integration and coherence as vital strategies for sustainable urban policy reform in South-West Nigeria.
Keywords: customary and statutory land tenure, institutional capacity in land administration, land use conflicts, sustainable urban development, urban land governance
