Forced Evictions in Lagos: Displacing Communities for Luxury Developments

​In recent years, numerous residents along Lagos’s coastline have been forcibly evicted by Nigerian authorities, including the navy, to make way for luxury developments. These actions have displaced thousands, often without adequate notice, compensation, or alternative housing. ​
Amnesty International

For instance, in the Otodo-Gbame community, over 30,000 people were evicted between November 2016 and April 2017. The evictions were marked by violence, including the use of gunfire and teargas, leading to deaths and disappearances. Similarly, the Ilubirin community faced forced evictions during the same period, leaving many homeless and without livelihoods. ​
Amnesty International

In January 2020, despite a high court ruling ordering a halt to demolitions, forced evictions continued in areas like Tarkwa Bay. Residents contend that accusations of oil theft were used as a pretext to clear valuable seafront land for upscale commercial projects. The Nigerian Navy has been implicated in these evictions, with reports of sudden demolitions and residents left without recourse. ​
The Guardian

These forced evictions highlight the ongoing struggle between urban development and the rights of vulnerable communities in Lagos. While the city pursues modernization and luxury projects, the human cost of such progress remains a pressing concern.