Her Land, Her Future: Voices from the Ground

Aisha

Years ago, Aisha and her five children experienced a Boko Haram attack that displaced them from their home in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria.

Having escaped the attack, she and her family began to camp in unfinished buildings in the Yolde Pate community. These buildings had no roofs, so the family were often exposed to harsh weather. To survive, they engaged in manual labour.

Aisha engaged in all kinds of work to be able to scrape by. She babysat for families, cleaned their homes, and cooked for them. After years of hard work, she finally saved enough to buy a piece of land.

But this was hardly a step forward because it came with its complications. For starters, the only legal document she had that proved she owned the land was a handwritten land sales agreement that was signed by the local leader in the community.

Even then, Aisha knew the paper was not exactly enough to secure her title to the land, but she also knew she could not afford to procure the right documents through the proper channels– a fact she confirmed after making enquiries.

Aisha was a displaced person who owned land whose titles were not properly drawn up. She understood the risks and thought about it often.

She harboured these fears for years, until hearing about support from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The organisation was aware of problems like Aisha’s and had started a Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) legal aid program. Through the programme, she received pro bono legal support and was finally able to obtain a legal title to her land.

Far across the country in Plateau, North Central Nigeria, Victoria, a 53-year-old woman was struggling with similar problems.

For years, her community located in the Makundang Community of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), grappled with persistent challenges, including recurring land grabbing, conflicts with herders, and the systemic denial of women’s rights to access and own land due to harmful customary practices.

Through the proceeds she got from selling farm products, Victoria was able to buy a piece of land. It was not a walk in the park. In fact, she paid in four installments. Victoria wanted to ensure her investment was secure. Through support from NRC, Victoria was able to navigate the documentation process and successfully secure a Customary Certificate of Occupancy in her name. She ensured her land ownership was formally recognised.

By securing her land documentation, Victoria also strengthened her economic opportunities. With the Certificate, she can now use the land as collateral for credit from financial institutions whenever needed, sell it if she chooses, transfer the title to anyone she wishes, and use the land for any lawful purpose. Victoria can do this all without fear of being forced off her land by anyone.

In the same Plateau state, as women in other parts of Nigeria worked to procure land for themselves, Florence was oblivious of the fact that it was even possible for her to own land as a woman.

In Funkipang, the community where she lives in Kumbun Ward of Mangu Local Government Area, the 25-year-old mother of two had not witnessed women owning land as she grew up.

That deeply held belief began to shift when Florence participated in an information session focused on women’s rights to own, inherit, and register land. Through these sessions and similar training, Florence gained awareness and confidence, and the tools to act.

Equipped with this new understanding, Florence took the courageous step to save up and purchase a plot of land. With legal support from NRC, she was able to formally register the land in her name, a milestone rarely achieved by women in her community. This secure land tenure came with official documentation, giving her full legal protection and peace of mind.

This support goes beyond legal recognition. In a region affected by conflict and displacement, land documents provide a layer of stability and resilience.

For 50-year-old Sarah, a farmer and petty trader in Plateau State, although she owned land, she had no documents to prove it and could not afford to properly document her ownership.

Her story reflects the common reality for many rural women: land is passed down informally or purchased without formal titles, leaving women vulnerable to disputes and dispossession.

With funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the German Agency for International Cooperation, NRC linked Sarah with the Ministry of Lands in Plateau State to help her secure documentation.

This support was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the German Agency for International Cooperation. Her plots were assessed, boundaries determined, and finally, she received official documentation confirming her ownership.

Another challenge remained unsolved for Sarah at this time. While she could own land, she could not inherit it. Even when her father passed, she did not have access to the land he left behind. This was due to similar cultural restrictions that affected Florence.

Hadiza’s journey has been one of repeated displacement, grief, and perseverance. Formerly residing in Mubi town in Adamawa State, Hadiza and her husband, Alhaji Ibrahim, had taken advantage of Mubi’s growing economy, particularly because it’s a border town with high population movement. However, their stability was short-lived.

As the non-state actors led the conflict, situation worsened, the family was forced to flee Mubi and seek safety in Jere, Borno State, where Alhaji Ibrahim’s late father had left behind a family house.

The property, inherited by Ibrahim, was already shared by two of his brothers and their families. It became their new home, a place they hoped would offer safety and a fresh start.

Tragically, shortly after settling in Jere, Hadiza’s husband passed away unexpectedly. Devastated and grieving, Hadiza was left to care for her four children: three girls and a boy and her former late husband’s daughter from a previous relationship.

As she mourned, Hadiza faced yet another blow. Her in-laws, ignoring her vulnerability and the children’s needs, forcefully evicted her from the house. Suddenly homeless and without protection, Hadiza and the children were thrown into uncertainty once again.

With no shelter and nowhere else to turn, Hadiza sought help from the NRC’s Protection From Violence (PFV) team, which referred her case to the relevant unit. The team quickly took up the case, providing her with legal assistance and advice. They guided her through understanding her legal rights and she was empowered to resolve the unlawful eviction.

With NRC’s support, Hadiza successfully challenged the eviction in court. The legal team helped her present her case effectively, highlighting her rights as a widow and the best interests of the children. The court ruled in her favour, allowing her to reclaim her right to stay in the family home.

Through persistent efforts, the dispute was resolved. Hadiza’s in-laws acknowledged her rightful claim to the family home, agreeing to reinstate her and her children’s rights.

Today, Hadiza stands strong as both a mother and a survivor. She has regained her dignity and security, with a safe place to raise her children. Her story is a testament to the resilience of women and their ability to reclaim their rights, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, with the help of organisations committed to justice and equality.