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Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance

Pandapotan Damanik(1email), Uche Nnawulezi(2)


(1) Faculty of Law, Universitas Simalungun, Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
(2) College of Law, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria orcid
email Corresponding Author
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Abstract


Introduction: Land inequality remains a major challenge in developing nations, particularly in Indonesia and Nigeria, where unequal land distribution has deep social and economic implications. Both countries have undertaken land law reforms to promote fair access and sustainable resource management. Understanding how these reforms operate within distinct legal and historical contexts is essential for achieving equitable agrarian governance.

Purposes of the Research: Analyze and compare the land law reform processes in Indonesia and Nigeria to assess their contribution to achieving justice in agrarian governance. It seeks to identify key similarities and differences in reform approaches, evaluate their socio-legal impacts, and explore policy strategies that strengthen land rights, social inclusion, and rural welfare.

Methods of the Research: A qualitative comparative legal analysis was employed, focusing on legal frameworks, policy implementation, and institutional mechanisms in both countries. Data were collected through literature review, document analysis, and secondary sources such as academic journals and government reports. The comparative framework allows examination of each country’s reform trajectory and its effectiveness in promoting fair and sustainable agrarian governance.

Results Main Findings of the Research: The findings reveal that although both countries differ in their historical and legal contexts, they face similar challenges namely, land ownership concentration among economic elites and weak protection of indigenous and smallholder farmers’ rights. Indonesia has shown progress through land redistribution and asset legalization programs, while Nigeria emphasizes decentralized land management and community-based access policies. The study concludes that achieving equitable agrarian governance depends on the integration of legal reform, public participation, and policy transparency.

Keywords


Agrarian Governance; Land Law Reform; Indonesia and Nigeria; Social Justice


DOI


10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482

Published


2025-12-07

How To Cite


APA: Damanik, P., & Nnawulezi, U. (2025). Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance. Batulis Civil Law Review, 6(3), 209-225. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482.
IEEE: P. Damanik, and U. Nnawulezi, "Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance", Batulis Civ. Law Rev., vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 209-225, Dec. 2025. Accessed on: Dec. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482
Harvard: Damanik, P., and Nnawulezi, U., (2025). "Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance". Batulis Civil Law Review, Volume 6(3), pp. 209-225. [Online]. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482 (Accessed on: 10 December 2025)
Chicago: Damanik, Pandapotan, and Uche Nnawulezi. "Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance." Batulis Civil Law Review 6, no. 3 (October 14, 2025): 209-225. Accessed December 10, 2025. doi:10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482
Vancouver: Damanik P, Nnawulezi U. Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance. Batulis Civ. Law Rev. [Internet]. 2025 Dec 7 [cited 2025 Dec 10];6(3):209-225. Available from: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482
MLA 8th: Damanik, Pandapotan, and Uche Nnawulezi. "Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance." Batulis Civil Law Review, vol. 6, no. 3, 14 Oct. 2025, pp. 209-225, doi:10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
BibTeX: 
@article{BALLREV3482,
		author = {Pandapotan Damanik and Uche Nnawulezi},
		title = {Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance},
		journal = {Batulis Civil Law Review},
		volume = {6},
		number = {3},
		year = {2025},
		keywords = {Agrarian Governance; Land Law Reform; Indonesia and Nigeria; Social Justice},
		abstract = {Introduction: Land inequality remains a major challenge in developing nations, particularly in Indonesia and Nigeria, where unequal land distribution has deep social and economic implications. Both countries have undertaken land law reforms to promote fair access and sustainable resource management. Understanding how these reforms operate within distinct legal and historical contexts is essential for achieving equitable agrarian governance.Purposes of the Research: Analyze and compare the land law reform processes in Indonesia and Nigeria to assess their contribution to achieving justice in agrarian governance. It seeks to identify key similarities and differences in reform approaches, evaluate their socio-legal impacts, and explore policy strategies that strengthen land rights, social inclusion, and rural welfare.Methods of the Research: A qualitative comparative legal analysis was employed, focusing on legal frameworks, policy implementation, and institutional mechanisms in both countries. Data were collected through literature review, document analysis, and secondary sources such as academic journals and government reports. The comparative framework allows examination of each country’s reform trajectory and its effectiveness in promoting fair and sustainable agrarian governance.Results Main Findings of the Research: The findings reveal that although both countries differ in their historical and legal contexts, they face similar challenges namely, land ownership concentration among economic elites and weak protection of indigenous and smallholder farmers’ rights. Indonesia has shown progress through land redistribution and asset legalization programs, while Nigeria emphasizes decentralized land management and community-based access policies. The study concludes that achieving equitable agrarian governance depends on the integration of legal reform, public participation, and policy transparency.},
				issn = {2746-8151},		pages = {209--225}			doi = {10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482},
				url = {https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/ballrev/article/view/3482}
		}
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1. Title Title of document Land Law Reform in Indonesia and Nigeria: Towards Equitable Agrarian Governance
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Pandapotan Damanik; Faculty of Law, Universitas Simalungun, Pematangsiantar; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Uche Nnawulezi; College of Law, Bowen University, Iwo; Nigeria orcid
 
3. Subject Discipline(s)
 
3. Subject Keyword(s) Agrarian Governance; Land Law Reform; Indonesia and Nigeria; Social Justice
 
4. Description Abstract Introduction: Land inequality remains a major challenge in developing nations, particularly in Indonesia and Nigeria, where unequal land distribution has deep social and economic implications. Both countries have undertaken land law reforms to promote fair access and sustainable resource management. Understanding how these reforms operate within distinct legal and historical contexts is essential for achieving equitable agrarian governance.Purposes of the Research: Analyze and compare the land law reform processes in Indonesia and Nigeria to assess their contribution to achieving justice in agrarian governance. It seeks to identify key similarities and differences in reform approaches, evaluate their socio-legal impacts, and explore policy strategies that strengthen land rights, social inclusion, and rural welfare.Methods of the Research: A qualitative comparative legal analysis was employed, focusing on legal frameworks, policy implementation, and institutional mechanisms in both countries. Data were collected through literature review, document analysis, and secondary sources such as academic journals and government reports. The comparative framework allows examination of each country’s reform trajectory and its effectiveness in promoting fair and sustainable agrarian governance.Results Main Findings of the Research: The findings reveal that although both countries differ in their historical and legal contexts, they face similar challenges namely, land ownership concentration among economic elites and weak protection of indigenous and smallholder farmers’ rights. Indonesia has shown progress through land redistribution and asset legalization programs, while Nigeria emphasizes decentralized land management and community-based access policies. The study concludes that achieving equitable agrarian governance depends on the integration of legal reform, public participation, and policy transparency.
 
5. Publisher Organizing agency, location Faculty of Law, Universitas Pattimura
 
6. Contributor Sponsor(s)
 
7. Date (YYYY-MM-DD) 2025-12-07
 
8. Type Status & genre Peer-reviewed Article
 
8. Type Type
 
9. Format File format PDF
 
10. Identifier Uniform Resource Identifier https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/ballrev/article/view/3482
 
10. Identifier Digital Object Identifier 10.47268/ballrev.v6i3.3482
 
11. Source Title; vol., no. (year) Batulis Civil Law Review; Vol 6, No 3 (2025): VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3, NOVEMBER 2025
 
12. Language English=en en
 
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