Land Appropriation in Shonga Community in Nigeria: The Zimbabwe Farmers Connection

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the impact of the invitation of Zimbabwe white commercial farmers in changing the land ownership patterns and breeding tension in Shonga community of Kwara state, Nigeria. The objective of the paper is to highlight the effects of land appropriation by the state in favour of the Zimbabwe white farmers, and which has contributed to the revolt by the local farmers against the new order. The methodology utilized for this study is the use of primary and secondary data. The instruments of data collection are interview and observation. findings of the paper shows that the Kwara State Government allocated 16,000 hectares of fertile land already being used by the local farmers to the Zimbabwe commercial farmers. This development has resulted to unabated tension in the area which is looming. The paper recommends the conduct of a referendum to be overseen by neutral Non-Governmental Organizations to hear from the local farmers whether they want their land to be returned to them or not. This is the only way forward in bringing about a lasting peace in the area.

Keywords: Land Reform Project, Shoga community, Public private partnership, Zimbabwe