Agricultural Land Guide — Nigeria 2026
10 key farming regions covered — prices per acre, title types, due diligence checklist, and use cases for every budget and farming purpose.
10 states
Regions covered
₦30k/acre
Price from
4 types
Title types covered
10 checks
Due diligence checks
Nigeria has approximately 84 million hectares of arable land — one of the largest reserves in sub-Saharan Africa. Less than half is under cultivation. With food import costs rising, federal and state programmes actively incentivising domestic production, and land prices still low relative to comparable East African markets, 2026 is an active period for agricultural land acquisition across all categories of buyer: from smallholder farmers expanding their holdings to institutional investors seeking large commercial blocks.
The right region depends entirely on what you intend to grow or produce, your total budget including development costs, and how you plan to get produce to market. A plot in Benue at ₦100k per acre is not cheaper than one in Ogun at ₦500k per acre if the road access adds six months to your growing calendar.
This guide covers 10 key regions — from the affordable northern and Middle Belt states with the highest agricultural potential, to the more expensive but infrastructure-ready Lagos corridor.
84m hectares of arable land in Nigeria — less than half currently cultivated
Prices range from ₦30,000/acre in Kano hinterland to ₦15m/acre in Epe (Lagos)
Title types vary by state — C of O, Customary Right of Occupancy, and Deed of Assignment all common
Access road, water source, and soil quality matter as much as purchase price
Land Registry search is mandatory — family and community claims are common in rural areas
Some northern and Middle Belt areas require security verification before site visits
Your use case determines which region and land type is right — before looking at specific locations, confirm your farming or investment purpose.
Maize, rice, cassava, yam, soya — large-scale mechanised production. Favoured states: Benue, Ogun, Kano, Niger, Kaduna.
Broiler, egg, and cattle operations. Requires space, reliable water, and road access for input/offtake. Ogun, Oyo, and Kaduna are established poultry belts.
Catfish, tilapia, and shrimp farming. Requires reliable water supply — proximity to rivers or deep boreholes essential. Cross River, Benue, and Ogun State are active aquaculture regions.
Palm oil, cocoa, rubber — long-horizon investments with strong export value. Edo, Cross River, and Ondo are the dominant plantation belts.
Milling, cold storage, packaging — value-added operations that multiply the return on primary production. Often co-located with major farming clusters near Abuja, Lagos, and Kano.
Buying and holding agricultural land near infrastructure corridors for capital appreciation. Epe/Ibeju-Lekki (Lagos) and Ogun State near Lagos are the most active corridors.
Each region profile covers price range, land tenure, best use, infrastructure, growth drivers, and what to watch out for.
Lagos spillover belt — most accessible from South-West
BEST FOR
Commercial farming, poultry, fish farming, land banking near Lagos
LAND TENURE
Lagos State–administered C of O for some areas; Ogun State Land Registry for others
INFRASTRUCTURE
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Sagamu-Ore Road give good access. Grid power available in Sagamu, Abeokuta, Mowe corridors.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Lagos population overflow, Ogun State industrial and agro-processing zones, Dangote and other large-scale agri investments near Sagamu
Watch out for: Confirm state vs. local government land tenure. Some Ogun hinterland plots carry community or chieftaincy claims — mandatory Land Registry search before purchase.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Sagamu
Poultry, fish farming, agro-processing
Typical range: ₦800k – ₦3m/acre
Mowe / Ibafo (Obafemi-Owode)
Lagos-proximate farmland and land banking
Typical range: ₦500k – ₦2.5m/acre
Abeokuta environs
Cassava, maize, poultry estates
Typical range: ₦200k – ₦800k/acre
Odogbolu / Ijebu-Ode
Tree crops and mixed arable farming
Typical range: ₦300k – ₦1.2m/acre
South-West hub with major agricultural output
BEST FOR
Cocoa, cassava, maize, poultry, large-scale estate farming
LAND TENURE
Oyo State Land Registry; C of O available; some areas under customary land tenure
INFRASTRUCTURE
Ibadan is Nigeria's third-largest city — decent road access, markets, and agri-input supply chains. Rural access roads vary significantly.
GROWTH DRIVERS
IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) proximity, Oyo State government agro-processing corridor, AfDB-backed farmland schemes
Watch out for: Verify survey plan and Root of Title at Oyo State Land Registry in Ibadan. Some peri-urban Ibadan plots are reclassified residential — confirm agricultural zoning.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Akinyele (Ibadan North)
Large-scale arable blocks near Ibadan
Typical range: ₦300k – ₦1m/acre
Ido LGA
Vegetables, cassava, peri-urban farming
Typical range: ₦250k – ₦900k/acre
Ogbomosho axis
Maize, cassava, poultry
Typical range: ₦200k – ₦700k/acre
Ibarapa zone
Livestock and mixed cropping
Typical range: ₦150k – ₦600k/acre
Nigeria's 'Food Basket' — highest agricultural output per land area
BEST FOR
Yam, cassava, soya beans, sesame, citrus, fish farming (River Benue access)
LAND TENURE
Benue State Land Registry; customary tenure dominant in rural areas; C of O in Makurdi and main towns
INFRASTRUCTURE
Makurdi is accessible on the Abuja–Benue highway. Rural road quality is variable — dry season access is generally better than wet season.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Federal government anchor borrower scheme, Benue State Agricultural Development Programme, proximity to Abuja market
Watch out for: Security situation in some rural LGAs — verify current access and activity levels. Rural customary land — engage a Benue-based property lawyer to trace family and community claims.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Makurdi outskirts
Commercial crop production with city access
Typical range: ₦120k – ₦400k/acre
Gboko
Yam and cassava production
Typical range: ₦80k – ₦300k/acre
Otukpo
Cassava, rice, oil palm
Typical range: ₦70k – ₦250k/acre
Katsina-Ala belt
Large low-cost agricultural blocks
Typical range: ₦50k – ₦180k/acre
High altitude — unique crops, cool climate farming
BEST FOR
Irish potatoes, vegetables (tomato, cabbage, carrot), soya beans, strawberries, highland livestock
LAND TENURE
Plateau State Land Registry; C of O in Jos; some mining leasehold areas — check for pre-existing mining rights
INFRASTRUCTURE
Jos city has reasonable infrastructure. Rural access around Barkin Ladi, Shendam, and Wase varies. Harmattan conditions affect transport in Q1.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Nigeria's largest Irish potato and tomato output, Plateau State government investment in cold chain, increasing demand for highland vegetables
Watch out for: Confirm no outstanding mining rights or leasehold over the plot — the Jos Plateau has extensive historical tin and columbite mining titles. Engage a lawyer to check the mining cadastre.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Barkin Ladi
Potatoes and highland vegetables
Typical range: ₦100k – ₦500k/acre
Bassa LGA
Vegetable clusters near Jos market
Typical range: ₦120k – ₦550k/acre
Mangu
Maize and tuber production
Typical range: ₦80k – ₦300k/acre
Shendam
Rice and mixed arable farming
Typical range: ₦90k – ₦280k/acre
North-West breadbasket — large-scale grain and cotton
BEST FOR
Maize, sorghum, groundnut, cotton, ginger (southern Kaduna), livestock
LAND TENURE
Kaduna State Land Registry; C of O in Kaduna; customary and Islamic tenure in rural LGAs
INFRASTRUCTURE
Kaduna city is on the Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge rail corridor. Southern Kaduna (Kafanchan belt) has productive agricultural land with improving road access.
GROWTH DRIVERS
CBN anchor borrower scheme, Kaduna Economic Development Authority (KADA) agri initiatives, proximity to Abuja market
Watch out for: Security conditions in some southern Kaduna LGAs — verify before committing. Land tenure in rural northern Kaduna is heavily customary — formal C of O verification is essential.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Kafanchan (Jema'a)
Ginger and mixed cash crops
Typical range: ₦100k – ₦500k/acre
Zaria outskirts
Maize and grain production
Typical range: ₦80k – ₦320k/acre
Kachia
Livestock and broad-acre farming
Typical range: ₦70k – ₦250k/acre
Giwa / Birnin Gwari corridors
Low-cost arable land
Typical range: ₦50k – ₦200k/acre
Irrigation farming and onion belt of northern Nigeria
BEST FOR
Onions, tomatoes, pepper, maize, groundnut, irrigated vegetable production
LAND TENURE
Kano State Land Registry; C of O in Kano; customary and emirate council land tenure in rural areas
INFRASTRUCTURE
Kano is Nigeria's second-largest commercial city — strong market infrastructure for inputs and offtake. Kano–Jigawa and Kano–Sokoto road access for rural plots.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Kano–Jigawa irrigation scheme, FADAMA development programme, proximity to Sahara trade routes and northern export corridors
Watch out for: Customary land rights are well-established — always confirm Emirates Council position on plots in rural LGAs. Irrigation scheme land may have specific use and transfer restrictions.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Wudil
Irrigation-fed onion and tomato farming
Typical range: ₦60k – ₦300k/acre
Gezawa
Vegetable and grain production
Typical range: ₦50k – ₦240k/acre
Bunkure
Dry-season irrigation farming
Typical range: ₦40k – ₦220k/acre
Rano / Kura axis
Groundnut and grain clusters
Typical range: ₦30k – ₦180k/acre
Nigeria's largest state — vast arable land, lower land cost
BEST FOR
Rice, yam, cowpea, cassava, sugarcane, shea production
LAND TENURE
Niger State Land Registry; C of O in Minna; customary tenure widely used
INFRASTRUCTURE
Minna is on the Abuja–Kaduna road corridor. Baro River port offers waterway logistics potential. Rural road access varies significantly.
GROWTH DRIVERS
National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) sugarcane belt, Alheri-Gurama irrigation scheme, rice production expansion under CBN scheme
Watch out for: Confirm road access is viable for your farming calendar — some Niger State rural roads flood in peak rainy season. Survey and verify root of title carefully in customary areas.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Suleja outskirts
Abuja-adjacent land banking and arable
Typical range: ₦120k – ₦500k/acre
Bida
Rice, cassava, and shea value chain
Typical range: ₦50k – ₦220k/acre
Kontagora
Large low-cost farming estates
Typical range: ₦40k – ₦180k/acre
Mokwa / Baro belt
River-linked rice and logistics play
Typical range: ₦30k – ₦150k/acre
South-South rainforest belt — tropical cash crops
BEST FOR
Cocoa, palm oil, rubber, banana, plantain, pepper, aquaculture
LAND TENURE
Cross River State Land Registry; C of O in Calabar; community land tenure in forest areas
INFRASTRUCTURE
Calabar is a functional port city with relative infrastructure stability. Road access to Ikom, Ogoja, and Obudu is improving. Obudu plateau suits highland crops.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Calabar Free Trade Zone (agro-processing), Cross River State government plantation schemes, Obudu tourism-agriculture corridor
Watch out for: Community land tenure in forested areas — community consent and documentation is critical. Forest reserve boundaries are active — confirm the plot is not within a gazetted reserve.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Ikom
Cocoa and plantain belts
Typical range: ₦120k – ₦600k/acre
Ogoja
Cassava and mixed tropical farming
Typical range: ₦100k – ₦400k/acre
Calabar hinterland
Agro-processing linked farms
Typical range: ₦200k – ₦800k/acre
Obudu
Highland vegetables and livestock
Typical range: ₦120k – ₦500k/acre
South-South rubber and palm belt
BEST FOR
Rubber, palm oil, timber, cocoa, cassava, poultry
LAND TENURE
Edo State Land Registry; C of O in Benin City; customary tenure in rural LGAs
INFRASTRUCTURE
Benin City is well-connected on the Lagos–Benin Expressway. Power supply is more consistent than many comparable states. Rubber and palm oil processing infrastructure exists.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Rubber Estates of Nigeria (REN) plantation programmes, Edo State agri-diversification programme, proximity to South-South market and Delta oil workers
Watch out for: Some Edo rural land carries encumbrances from old colonial plantation titles. Verify with Edo State Land Registry before buying. Community consent is required in most rural areas.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Ovia North-East
Rubber and palm plantation clusters
Typical range: ₦180k – ₦900k/acre
Uhunmwonde
Cassava and poultry estates
Typical range: ₦160k – ₦700k/acre
Esan belt (Ekpoma axis)
Oil palm and mixed crop farming
Typical range: ₦150k – ₦600k/acre
Benin outskirts
Market-proximate farmland
Typical range: ₦250k – ₦1.2m/acre
Agricultural and light industrial zone within Lagos
BEST FOR
Aquaculture, horticulture, agro-processing, land banking near Dangote corridor
LAND TENURE
Lagos State C of O (most formal); Governor's Consent required on all assignments
INFRASTRUCTURE
Lekki–Epe Expressway gives paved access. Proximity to Lagos port and Lekki Deep Sea Port gives export access. Lagos State land registry is more formalised than most states.
GROWTH DRIVERS
Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos State designation of Epe-Ikorodu axis as agro-industrial zone
Watch out for: Higher entry prices than all other agricultural regions listed here. Lagos acquisition zones are active — verify the plot is not inside a government acquisition area before paying.
SPECIFIC AREAS TO TARGET
Epe Central / Eredo
Aquaculture and land banking
Typical range: ₦1m – ₦8m/acre
Itoikin corridor
Mixed agro-industrial plots
Typical range: ₦1.5m – ₦9m/acre
Ibeju-Lekki (Eleko to Lakowe)
Agro-processing and long-horizon appreciation
Typical range: ₦3m – ₦15m/acre
Oriba / Lekki-Epe inland
Lower-cost Lagos agricultural plots
Typical range: ₦1m – ₦6m/acre
Indicative prices per acre by region. Actual prices vary significantly by road access, water availability, title quality, and proximity to markets.
| Region | Price per acre | Primary title type | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epe / Ibeju-Lekki (Lagos) | ₦1m – ₦15m | Lagos C of O | Most expensive — Lagos infrastructure premium |
| Ogun State | ₦200k – ₦2m | C of O / Customary | Strongest market access from Lagos |
| Oyo / Ibadan | ₦200k – ₦1m | C of O / Customary | Large scale; IITA proximity |
| Edo State | ₦150k – ₦1.2m | C of O / Customary | Rubber and palm oil belt |
| Cross River | ₦100k – ₦800k | C of O / Community | Tropical cash crops; forest reserve check critical |
| Plateau State | ₦80k – ₦600k | C of O / Customary | Check for mining rights before purchase |
| Kaduna State | ₦50k – ₦500k | C of O / Customary | Large-scale grain; southern belt most productive |
| Benue State | ₦50k – ₦400k | C of O / Customary | Nigeria's food basket — highest yield potential |
| Niger State | ₦30k – ₦250k | C of O / Customary | Vast supply; access road verification essential |
| Kano State | ₦30k – ₦300k | C of O / Customary/Emirate | Irrigation schemes; onion and tomato belts |
Prices are indicative as of 2026. Premium plots with formal title, road access, and verified water supply command significantly higher prices within each state.
Four title types you will encounter when buying agricultural land — and what each means for the security of your investment.
Issued by state governor for a 99-year statutory right of occupancy. The gold-standard title for agricultural land in Nigeria. Confirms the holder has legal right to use the land, enables mortgage borrowing, and is the most defensible against acquisition disputes.
Granted by a Local Government under the Land Use Act for rural non-urban land. Widely used for agricultural land in northern and Middle Belt states. Valid title, but the LGA process is less formalised than state-issued C of O — verify the instrument at the relevant LGA offices and confirm no competing family claim.
Documents the transfer of the right from one holder to the next. Only as strong as the root of title it traces back to. A Deed of Assignment chain without a C of O at the root — or without Governor's Consent at each step — is legally vulnerable. Always trace the full chain.
Informal transfer documented only by a family or community receipt and handshake. Extremely common in rural agricultural areas but carries no formal legal standing. Not a root of title — it is a record of payment only. To secure this type of land, engage a property lawyer to convert to registered title before or immediately after purchase.
Red items are non-negotiable and must be completed before any payment beyond a nominal expression of interest. Agricultural land carries unique risks not present in urban property purchases.
Confirms the current registered title holder, any encumbrances, and whether the title is genuine
The person signing the agreement must be the registered title holder — confirm via government-issued ID
Check for state or federal acquisition notices near agricultural development corridors, road expansion, or dam projects
Confirm boundary markers match the survey plan and that there is no encroachment from adjacent plots or community land
A plot with dry season-only access can make commercial farming logistics extremely difficult — inspect or verify during peak rainy season
Adequate water is the most critical input for most farming types — confirm before purchase, not after
Forest reserve boundaries are not always visible on the ground — confirm with the state Forestry Commission or Ministry of Lands
Pre-existing mining or petroleum rights can restrict use of the surface land — check with the Ministry of Solid Minerals
Visit with an agronomist if investing significantly — soil type, pH, drainage, and flood risk all affect what can be profitably grown
Some sellers lease land to tenant farmers before sale — an active tenancy can delay vacant possession and create legal complications
Browse verified land listings across Nigeria — from Ogun farmland to Epe corridor plots. Every seller on Cabans is identity-checked.