JUST IN : Experts Raise Alarm Over Right of Way Challenges Threatening Nigeria’s Infrastructure Development
By OGB Joseph, Abuja
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s transportation and oil and gas sectors have called for stronger governance and clearer regulatory frameworks to address growing challenges associated with Right of Way (ROW) management, warning that unresolved disputes and poor corridor administration could undermine critical infrastructure projects nationwide.
The concerns were raised at a seminar held at the BON Octagon Hotel, Jahi, Abuja, where experts examined the legal, operational and strategic implications of Right of Way acquisition and management across key sectors of the economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Engr. James Zirra, Director of Rail Services at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, described Right of Way as the legal right to use a defined strip of land for transportation and utility infrastructure.
According to him, ROW provides the physical space required for the construction, operation, maintenance, safety clearance, expansion and future upgrading of critical infrastructure assets.
He stressed that the importance of Right of Way in railway development cannot be overstated, noting that it accommodates rail tracks, ballast, signalling systems, communication facilities, drainage structures, safety buffers, stations, rail yards and future expansion projects such as double-tracking and electrification.
Despite its significance, Zirra observed that Right of Way administration in Nigeria continues to face several challenges, particularly land acquisition disputes.
“Many infrastructure projects encounter resistance from landowners, communities and families claiming ownership rights over project corridors,” he said.
He explained that such disputes often lead to project delays, increased construction costs and prolonged litigation, thereby slowing infrastructure delivery across the country.
The railway expert also identified compensation-related issues as a major source of conflict, noting that affected persons frequently perceive compensation packages as inadequate or unfair. Delays in payment, he added, further aggravate tensions and weaken public confidence in government projects.
Another growing concern, according to Zirra, is the increasing demand for utility installations within existing transportation corridors.
He noted that telecommunications companies are expanding fibre-optic networks along highways and railway routes, while gas pipelines, water pipelines, sewage systems, electricity transmission facilities and other utilities increasingly require access to the same corridors, creating competition for limited space and raising coordination challenges.
Also speaking at the event, industry expert Zimuza Ozuah delivered a presentation on “Right of Way in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Post-Acquisition Lifecycle, Legal Framework, Global Comparison and Strategic Implications for Nigeria.”
Ozuah warned that prolonged suspension of oil and gas projects often creates legal, operational and security uncertainties that require careful management and regulatory oversight.
According to him, inactive projects frequently generate uncertainty regarding maintenance responsibilities, particularly where facilities are no longer fully operational but still require inspections, preservation measures and risk management interventions to prevent deterioration and environmental damage.
He noted that community expectations also become difficult to manage when host communities remain uncertain about whether projects will resume.
The expert further highlighted security concerns, warning that abandoned facilities and under-monitored corridors are often vulnerable to vandalism, illegal tapping, theft and unauthorized occupation.
Ozuah identified uncertainty over future land use as another major challenge, pointing out that there is often no clear policy direction on whether dormant corridors should remain protected indefinitely, be restored, repurposed or released for alternative development.
“These ambiguities demonstrate that suspension is not a neutral state, but a legally and operationally demanding phase requiring structured governance,” he stated.
Participants at the seminar emphasized the need for coordinated planning, transparent compensation mechanisms, stakeholder engagement and stronger legal frameworks to ensure that Right of Way management supports sustainable infrastructure development and economic growth in Nigeria.
The event attracted policymakers, legal practitioners, infrastructure experts, regulators and industry stakeholders from across the transportation and energy sectors.
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