Ogun State Land Revocation: Busari Family Fights Reallocation to Chinese Firm

• The Busari family is appealing to the Ogun State Governor and Nigerian President over the alleged reallocation of their 11-acre poultry farm to a Chinese company.
• The Ogun State government claims the land was revoked due to the family's failure to pay assessment fees within the stipulated time, a claim the family disputes.
• The family alleges threats, intimidation, and property damage, and states they were informed of the reallocation in 2025 by the Surveyor-General.
• The government asserts the reallocation is legal and that the new investor even built a new poultry pen for the family, which they refused to use.
• The family's Constancy Farms represents an investment exceeding N1 billion and provides significant local employment.

The family maintains they possess valid documents supporting their ownership and acquisition of the land.

The family of the late Alhaji Ganiyu Busari, operators of Constancy Farms in Fere Village, Jibowu, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, has publicly appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and President Bola Tinubu for intervention in an ongoing land dispute. At the heart of the contention is an 11-acre poultry farm, which the family alleges the Ogun State government is attempting to reallocate to a Chinese-owned company. This alleged move has reportedly led to constant threats and intimidation against the family and their workers, with claims of property damage and business losses stemming from attempts to demolish parts of the farm.

The dispute, according to Azeez Busari, one of the late Alhaji Busari's children, traces back to 2023. At that time, representatives of the Chinese firm approached the family, seeking four acres and an additional plot of land to establish an access route to a separate 40-acre parcel owned by the company in the vicinity. The Busari family agreed to release the requested portion, retaining their 11 acres for the poultry operation. However, in 2025, the family was informed by Ogun State Surveyor-General Oladele Ewulo that their remaining land had been reallocated to the Chinese company, and they were expected to vacate the premises. Azeez Busari questioned the Surveyor-General about the possibility of "double allocation" but received no response.

The family maintains they possess valid documents supporting their ownership and acquisition of the land. They also assert that they have documents for the land assessment, duly signed by the state government, and had commenced payment of the assessed fees. Despite requesting official documentation confirming the alleged reallocation, the family states they have yet to receive any. Further escalating the situation, individuals reportedly demolished part of the farm's perimeter fence in early 2026. The Busari family emphasizes that the farm represents an investment exceeding N1 billion, housing facilities for 27,000 laying birds and a 10,000-capacity rearing pen, providing significant direct and indirect employment.

In response to the Busari family's allegations, the Ogun State government has affirmed the legality of the land reallocation. Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, stated that the government's action is fully backed by law. According to Akinmade, the original acquisition of the land by the Busari family was revoked because they failed to pay the stipulated assessment fee within the designated timeframe. He clarified that existing legislation grants the government the authority to revoke land under such circumstances and subsequently allocate it to another investor who is prepared to fulfill the required payment obligations.

Akinmade further elaborated that while the family acquired the land years ago, their failure to pay the acquisition fees within the stipulated period constituted a default, thereby empowering the government to revoke their acquisition. He highlighted that the land was then transferred to a new investor willing to meet these financial commitments. The Special Adviser also mentioned an act of 'magnanimity' on the part of the new investor, who reportedly constructed a new poultry pen for the Busari family on a re-allocated parcel of land. However, Akinmade claims the family has been unwilling to relocate and has instead resorted to media engagement to 'blackmail' the government.

This ongoing Ogun State land revocation involving the Busari family and a Chinese company underscores the complex challenges surrounding property rights and land administration in Nigeria. The case highlights the potential for disputes when state governments exercise their powers of revocation, particularly concerning alleged defaults on land assessment fees. The family's assertion of having commenced payment of assessed fees directly contradicts the government's claim of non-payment, pointing to a critical factual disagreement that could have significant legal ramifications. The alleged 'double allocation' raised by the family further complicates the narrative, questioning the transparency and consistency of land management practices.

The dispute also brings to the fore the broader implications of government land reallocation, especially when foreign investment is involved. The Busari family has questioned the decision to seemingly favor a foreign investor over a long-standing local agricultural business, which they describe as their father's legacy and a vital community resource. This scenario raises concerns about the protection of local enterprises and the equitable application of land laws. The substantial investment of over N1 billion in Constancy Farms, along with its capacity to house tens of thousands of birds and provide employment, emphasizes the economic impact of such revocation actions on established local businesses within Ogun State.

This case highlights the contentious nature of land revocation by state governments in Nigeria, particularly concerning alleged defaults on assessment fees and the potential for 'double allocation'. Lawyers advising clients on land acquisition or property development in Ogun State should scrutinize land titles, ensure strict compliance with all payment obligations, and be prepared to challenge or defend against government revocation actions, especially where foreign investment is involved.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers