The lands that belong to the community is referred to as__________

1. Analyze the question The question asks for the term used for land that belongs to a whole community rather than to one person.

2. Explain the concept In Nigerian land tenure systems (a topic in Economics and Land Use), land can be owned in different ways:

• Communal land: owned collectively by a community, village, or extended family. It is held in trust by the chief, elders, or family head and shared among members for farming, grazing, and other uses. This was the dominant form of ownership in traditional Nigerian society.
• Individual land: owned by one person, who holds the title and can sell or lease it.
• Sacred land: land set aside for religious or ritual purposes, such as shrines and forests. It may belong to a community, but the word "sacred" describes its purpose, not its ownership.
• Rent land: this is not a standard category of ownership. It relates to payment for using land (economic rent).

3. Solution

• The key phrase is "belong to the community".
• Ownership by the community as a group is, by definition, communal ownership.
• Option A describes the use of land, not who owns it.
• Option B contradicts "community" because it refers to one person.
• Option D is about payment for land use, not ownership.

4. Answer The correct option is C. communal land.

5. Exam tip When a question asks "who owns it?", match the word to the owner:

• Community → communal
• Individual → private/individual
• Government → public/state

Look for the root word. "Communal" comes from "community", so the question practically gives you the answer.