Benue State University, Makurdi

Dispersed Settlement as a Strategy for Land Grabbing among the Tiv in the Post-colonial Times

Sylvester I. Ugbegili, PhD and Asor Gbamwuan

Abstract

The paper investigates the nexus between land grabbing and Tiv dispersed settlement pattern with its attendant security challenges and underdevelopment. The paper explores both primary and secondary sources for proper and detail investigations. From theoretical structure, the paper was pillared on cultural ecology thesis to validate issues and arguments that has been generated. The paper establishes that Tiv disperse settlements undermine development in terms of infrastructural provision by the government, NGO’s, FBO’s and stakeholders. While numerous cases of communal conflicts have been rife in contemporary Tiv society as a result of this pattern of settlement. The study also links the vulnerability of present-day Tiv society from external attackers (Fulani herdsmen), as a result of dispersed settlement pattern. Arising from these facts, the paper suggests the adoption of clustered settlement pattern for the entire Tiv nation. This could be achieved if the entire Tiv nation is willing to adopt a nucleated settlement template which it is hoped could surmount these challenges.

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