Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that direct negotiations with leaders of the Agbekoya farmers’ association were crucial in preventing widespread protests against the Land Use Act. Obasanjo detailed employing a strategy of “village diplomacy,” personally engaging with Agbekoya representatives to address their concerns. The Land Use Act, enacted in 1978, remains a contentious piece of legislation concerning land ownership and control in Nigeria. Without this direct engagement, Obasanjo believes the Act would have faced significant and potentially destabilizing opposition from the powerful farmers’ group. He emphasized the importance of understanding and responding to local grievances to ensure policy implementation. The revelation highlights a proactive approach to conflict resolution during a period of significant legal and social change in Nigeria. Details of the negotiations were recently published by *Punch*.