An Evaluation of Existing Policies Effectiveness and Procedures for Adequate Compensation in Niger State Nigeria

This study an evaluation of existing policies effectiveness and procedures in ensuring adequate compensation in Niger state Nigeria. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data collected from 222 respondents—including displaced landowners, government officials, legal practitioners, urban planners, and valuation experts—with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. A structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was used to assess perceptions across four thematic areas: demographic characteristics, perceptions of compulsory land acquisition, compensation mechanisms and adequacy, and legal and institutional challenges. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), employing descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. The findings reveal that while compulsory acquisition is recognized as necessary for public development, significant gaps exist in consultation, transparency, and timeliness of compensation. Many respondents perceived existing policies and procedures compensation amounts as inadequate and not reflective of current market values, with valuation methods lacking transparency. Legal and institutional frameworks were found to be only partially effective in ensuring adequate compensation in the study area with corruption, political interference, and bureaucratic delays undermining the process. The study concludes that strengthening legal protections for landowners, improving valuation transparency, and enhancing institutional capacity are critical to ensuring fair and equitable outcomes in compulsory acquisition. Recommendations include revising the Land Use Act to address contemporary challenges, improving public awareness, and integrating both financial and non-financial compensation measures.