Before the coming of the Europeans, specifically the British, the various component units that make up what is today known as Nigeria had existed as independent entities free from external domination and control. Each of these had a very high degree of autonomy and thrived within their respective customs and cultures. The inhumane nature or otherwise of the customs in place is not the issue of this work hence not worthy of consideration here. However, on the arrival of the British, things fell apart and never remained the same again. One of the most affected areas is the land tenure system in the various component units.

This work is aimed at finding out the history of the Land Reforms from the arrival of the British up to the present 21st Century of what is today known as Nigeria, being the product of the amalgamation of those independent entities that hitherto existed independently.