Developing a Community-Based Framework for Sustainable Land Management in Edo State, Nigeria: A Review of Existing Practices, Influencing Factors, and Institutional Challenges

Abstract

Sustainable land management has become increasingly important for addressing land degradation, environmental decline, and governance challenges in developing countries. In Nigeria, particularly in Edo State, rapid population growth, urban expansion, weak land governance systems, tenure insecurity, and environmental pressures continue to threaten the sustainable use of land resources. This study reviewed existing literature on sustainable land management with the aim of developing a community-based framework for improving land governance and environmental sustainability in Edo State, Nigeria. A thematic literature review approach was adopted, drawing evidence from peer-reviewed journal articles, books, policy documents, government publications, and reports from international organisations. Relevant literature was obtained from major academic databases and institutional repositories and analysed through thematic synthesis. The review identified institutional weaknesses, limited stakeholder participation, insecure land tenure systems, inadequate policy implementation, and environmental degradation as major constraints to sustainable land management. Findings further revealed that active community participation, effective land governance, stakeholder collaboration, environmental conservation measures, and capacity-building initiatives significantly contribute to sustainable land management outcomes. Based on these findings, a community-based framework was developed to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, local communities, civil society organisations, and private-sector actors. The framework emphasises participatory decision-making, secure land tenure, environmental stewardship, institutional coordination, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. The study concludes that integrating community participation into land governance systems offers a practical pathway for enhancing sustainable land management and environmental sustainability in Edo State and similar developing regions.