Perceived effects of land grabbing conflicts on rural livelihood in Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State

The study was carried out to assess the perceived effects of land grabbing conflicts on the livelihoods of rural communities in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun state, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were selected using a snowball technique. A structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from them. Theprimary data collected were analysed using frequency counts and percentages, and the Relative Importance Index. The study established the occurrence of land grabbing conflicts in the local government area which was carried out mainly by theomo-onilesand the private investors.The land grabbing in Ogun state commonly affect small land holders and private individuals. Most of the lands grabbed were meant for agricultural related activities and residential purposes. The coping strategies employed to mitigate land grabbing conflicts include Settlement for the purchase of new equipment, farm tools or inputs and farm produce (73.0%); re-negotiation with the Omo oniles (69.2%); Remission of a certain part of the farm produce to the Omo oniles (65.0%); and Erection of concrete and live fences (53.3%).The perceived effects of land grabbing conflicts according to their order of Relative Importance Indices are: loss of resources (1.66); marginalization of the right of the people especially the poor and the widows (0.95); and causes mayhem and unrest among the populace and also leads to affliction and death (0.91 respectively). Others are Deprivation of farmers’ source of livelihood (0.89); increase in the dependent of non-farm employment activities (0.87); loss of local profit from crop production (0.85); the waste of time and money in cases that are referred to the court (0.84); reduction in the quality of the land (0.83); and negatively affects social interaction in the communities (0.82); as well as the discouragement of investment in rural areas (0.75). The study concludes that land grabbing by the the omooniles and the private investors is prominent in Obafemi- Owode the local government area of Ogun state and affects mostly the small farmland holders and private individuals. The perceived effects of land grabbing conflicts permeate the physical, economic and social lives of the respondents. The study recommends the promulgation and implementation land policies andthe establishment of special task forces to fight against the violent and criminal activities of land grabbers by the government in Ogun State. The Non govermental Organisations could assist in building more housing estates for individual acquisition.