AFRICAN COMMUNITARIAN PERSPECTIVES ON LAND GRABBING AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF RURAL DWELLERS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the African communitarian perspectives on land grabbing and its impact on rural populations in Southeast Nigeria. The appropriation of land has become a pressing socio-economic and ethical concern, leading to the erosion of ancestral territories, livelihoods, cultural traditions, and community identity. It analyzed the root causes of land acquisition, its consequences for rural inhabitants, and the moral questions raised by forced displacement. Employing a descriptive survey design, the study combined qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis involving 250 rural residents, community leaders, and other key stakeholders in selected areas of Southeast Nigeria. Results indicated that land grabbing is primarily fueled by commercial farming, urban growth, government land acquisition policies, real estate projects, and inadequate land governance. The resulting displacement was found to contribute to increased poverty, food insecurity, joblessness, social fragmentation, and breaches of basic human rights. Philosophically, the study showed that such land seizures frequently violate principles of fairness, justice, and collective welfare. The utilitarian argument often used by authorities and investors—claiming greater good for the majority—was found to neglect the hardships endured by displaced communities. Moreover, African communal values, which prioritize shared ownership and social cohesion, are compromised when people are removed from their traditional lands. The study emphasized the need to integrate ethical considerations into land acquisition practices. It called for enhanced legal safeguards, meaningful community involvement in decisions, fair and transparent compensation, and the embedding of moral principles in land policy to advance social equity and sustainable development in the region.