ABSTRACT
Throughout Islamic history, waqf has proved to be a significant base upon which the socio-economic development model was built. It recorded impressive achievements in the field of social work and human development, serving not only the poor but also society at large in the area of education, healthcare, economic development and social welfare, amongst others. It best served the distributive justice system of Islam. However, these achievements appear to have become past glories in many parts of the Muslim world, especially Nigeria. Although there was evidence of awqaf properties in pre-colonial Nigeria, colonization whittled down the development of the institution. Efforts made by conscious individuals to create public awqaf properties were undermined by the constitution, which relegated awqaf to matters of personal status until the northern states of Nigeria reintroduced Sharīʿah in almost all sphere of life, so that improvement is now being recorded. Yet, there is no available data to showcase the state of awqaf properties in the country. This research, therefore, conducts a survey of the development of awqaf properties in Nigeria. It analyses the relationship between the private and public awqaf and the state of the law, and analyses the manner of resolving disputes involving awqaf properties. It also reviews the challenges being faced by awqaf institution in Nigeria and concludes that awqaf properties have a huge potential to restore the past glories and resolve the considerable number of the socio-economic challenges being faced by the nation.
