Abstract
The right to acquire an interest in Land compulsorily has been recognized since very early times as inherent or attributed to the sovereign power in modern society, although prerogative powers still exist at minimal form in some traditional communities, the right is nowadays exclusively exercised, directly or indirectly under statutory powers. This article is aimed at appraising the compulsory acquisition under the Land Use Act 1978. The specific objectives include investigating the scope of compulsory acquisition in Nigeria. The doctrinal research methodology was employed. The article concluded that state government often revoke land right arbitrarily under the guise of public interest despite the disruptiveness and hardship it caused land owners among others, consequently, it recommends that both the CFRN 1999 (as amended) particularly Section 44 need to be amended to meet the expectations of all Nigerians whose land rights have been violated and the entire Land Use Act particularly, section 29(1) LUA which tends to exclude unimproved lands from the subject matter of compensation should be amended. The clause “… the occupier shall be entitled to compensation for the value at the date of revocation of their unexhausted improvements” should be expunged from the Act. In its place, it should read “the occupier shall be entitled to compensation for the value at the date of revocation of all his Land rights so affected. The Act if revoked should be subjected to legislation to accommodate the opinions of Land owners.