The Kano State Government has formally declared an end to the decades-long land dispute involving Bayero University Kano (BUK), Rimin Zakara, Rijiyar Zaki and adjoining communities
The declaration was made on Monday, August 31, 2026, as the government announced the commencement of full implementation of a comprehensive settlement aimed at resolving the longstanding dispute.
The dispute, which dates back to the 1980s following the acquisition of land for the permanent site and future expansion of Bayero University Kano, had over the years generated litigation, protests, encroachments, conflicting claims and security challenges.
The situation reportedly worsened following confrontations in early 2025, prompting the Kano State Government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to intervene and seek a lasting solution.
A high-level committee was subsequently constituted to examine the historical records, verify claims, conduct surveys and consult with BUK, affected communities, claimants, security agencies and other stakeholders.
The recommendations of the committee were later considered and approved by the Kano State Executive Council.
Under the settlement, more than 6,000 claims and interests were identified and processed, with residential plots reserved for verified beneficiaries across approved resettlement schemes, while monetary compensation for eligible claims and structures is being processed.
The government said the settlement would preserve more than 85 per cent of Bayero University Kano’s landholding for its present and future academic, research, residential and infrastructural development.
The government also acknowledged BUK’s cooperation and sacrifice in accepting the excision of portions of land originally reserved for its long-term expansion in the interest of lasting peace.
Why Government Approved Compensation
The government clarified that the compensation programme should not be interpreted as legal recognition of private transactions involving the disputed land.
According to the government, many of the documents presented by claimants during the verification exercise were private sale agreements between individuals and did not constitute valid statutory or customary titles capable of transferring ownership of BUK or government land.
However, the government said many purchasers had acquired the plots in good faith, unaware that the sellers lacked lawful title.
It explained that some affected residents had invested their life savings, borrowed money or sold assets to acquire the properties and construct homes.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf therefore directed the compensation and resettlement programme as a humanitarian and public-interest intervention aimed at preventing thousands of families from suffering severe social and economic hardship.
Government Warns Against Abuse of Compensation Process
The government also expressed concern over alleged attempts by some land agents and intermediaries to exploit the compensation process.
It assured genuine beneficiaries that they would not lose their entitlements because an agent collected and failed to deliver their compensation cards.
It said verified claimants who had not received cards collected on their behalf would be allowed to undergo revalidation, identification and security screening before replacement documentation was issued directly to them.
The government warned that anyone found to have collected, withheld, sold or unlawfully dealt with beneficiaries’ compensation documents would face appropriate legal action.
Court Judgment Strengthens Government’s Position
The government said its position had also been reinforced by the judgment of High Court of Justice No. 11 in Suit No. K/M1638/2026, delivered on August 18, 2026.
According to the government, the court upheld the acquisition of the affected land at Rimin Zakara Gabas for overriding public interest, restrained unauthorised occupation and development, and directed the government to compensate verified claims.
The court also authorised lawful clearance upon compliance with the compensation requirements and directed the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to assist in enforcing the judgment.
Consequently, the government announced that, effective August 31, 2026, all land within the finally surveyed and demarcated boundaries reserved for Bayero University Kano would be protected exclusively for the university’s institutional use and development.
It added that land reserved for government roads, infrastructure, layouts and other public purposes would also remain protected from further encroachment.
The government warned that no individual, agent, association or community representative had the authority to sell, allocate, transfer, construct on or otherwise interfere with land within the protected boundaries.
Clearance and Enforcement to Begin
With the settlement and compensation programme underway, the government said it would proceed with the clearance of areas lawfully required to be recovered.
It called for the cooperation of affected residents and warned that anyone who obstructs the implementation, re-enters cleared land, begins fresh construction or attempts to sell BUK or government land would face the full force of the law.
The government, however, clarified that the closure of the dispute would not prevent genuinely verified beneficiaries whose administrative payment processes remained outstanding from receiving their compensation.
It said the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning would continue processing beneficiaries who had been properly screened and vetted by the relevant security agencies.
The government stressed that outstanding compensation payments would not confer any right to continue occupying land already determined under the settlement.
The state government called on the Rimin Zakara and Rijiyar Zaki communities, Bayero University Kano, traditional and community leaders, beneficiaries, security agencies and the media to support the implementation of the settlement.
It described the development as a historic step towards ending a land crisis that had persisted for nearly five decades and restoring lasting peace and stability in the affected communities.
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