Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the demolition of shops and private properties by government authorities across various parts of the country, describing the actions as “unjustifiable,” “inhumane,” and emblematic of a governance approach that lacks empathy in a time of deepening economic hardship.

In a statement issued Monday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the former Anambra State governor condemned what he termed the “willful destruction” of citizens’ livelihoods without due notice or adherence to legal process. Obi warned that such actions not only violate the rights of affected individuals but also threaten Nigeria’s broader economic and social stability.

“The recent demolition of citizens’ structures and the destruction of their goods and merchandise remain condemnable,” he stated. “At a time when the government is supposed to be lifting citizens out of poverty, it is instead plunging them deeper into hardship.”

Obi noted that many of the demolished shops and buildings housed merchandise and assets worth billions of naira, representing years of toil, entrepreneurship, and life savings for countless Nigerians. He questioned the rationale behind such demolitions, asking whether they serve any genuine public interest or merely reflect “arbitrary and disproportionate exercises of power.”

Without mincing words, Obi placed responsibility on the current administration’s leadership approach, arguing that within just 29 months, the government has exacerbated poverty and insecurity, instead of alleviating them. “These demolitions destroy livelihoods, undermine businesses, and threaten the economic security of hardworking citizens,” he said.

He urged government officials at all levels to adopt policies guided by empathy, rule of law, and long-term economic thinking, rather than reactive enforcement actions that displace vulnerable populations. “Every citizen has the right to build a life through honest work, and that right must never be trampled,” he wrote.

Obi further cautioned that such actions send damaging signals to both local and international investors, who may perceive Nigeria as an unpredictable environment where property rights are not guaranteed. “If we fail to stand against such injustices, we risk undermining the very foundations of economic growth and social stability,” he concluded.

The remarks come amid growing public outcry over widespread demolitions in major cities, often linked to urban renewal or land disputes, but which critics argue are carried out without transparency, adequate compensation, or proper legal procedures.

The post Peter Obi Condemns Demolition of Properties, Warns Against “Inhumane Governance Practices” appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

According to LASBCA, the exercise aims to identify genuine victims, verify property ownership, and assess the extent of damage before any relief is provided. The process includes document review, on-site inspection, and interviews with claimants to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent claims.

Agency sources confirmed that only residents with valid proof of ownership or tenancy on legally approved structures will qualify for compensation. Claims involving illegal buildings on canal setbacks, drainage paths, or other restricted zones will be excluded in line with state planning regulations.

Community representatives have welcomed the move as a necessary step toward fairness but urged the government to ensure transparency and equity in the process to avoid political interference.

LASBCA said the verification would be completed within a defined timeline, after which compensation and relocation plans will begin. The agency noted that the demolitions were part of Lagos State’s broader flood control and urban renewal strategy aimed at protecting lives and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.

The post Lagos Begins Verification for Oworonshoki Demolition Victims Ahead of Compensation The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Dr Chime Ogbonna In an exclusive interview with Housing Tv, called on the government to provide a town planning law that would guide the activities of planners

“The major challenge facing town planners is that Nigeria as a country is working without any town planning laws guiding our activities”

“In 1992, the federal government in its wisdom promulgated what we call today The Nigerian Urban Regional planning law and that law from what we know took over all town planning activities in Nigeria. It repelled every town planning law that ever existed in Nigeria before 1992”

“As we speak that law is not being implemented in this country, worse at the federal level  because we are supposed to have in line with the provision of that law the National Urban and Regional commission at the federal level. That commission will be constituted by town planners, architects, land surveyors, builders, quantity surveyors, lawyers, civil engineers but because the commission is not in place, things go the way they should not go”

The President further urged government to review its laws and make provisions for adequate checkmate and implementation to avoid loss of properties and natural disasters such as flooding in the near future

The post NITP President Urges Full Implementation of Urban and Regional Planning Law appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigerian university professors are among the worst paid in Africa, earning an average of $366 (about N500,000) monthly — far below counterparts in South Africa ($57,471 annually), Uganda ($50,595), and Kenya ($48,000). Even countries with smaller economies such as Eswatini, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone pay significantly higher wages.

Lecturers say the poor pay has worsened morale and triggered mass exits. “I opted to forego a Nigerian salary and be paid by the funder. That is the reality of our poor pay,” a professor said about choosing fellowship funding over his university salary. Another recalled a colleague who earned nearly N1 million during a sabbatical but returned to a university salary of just N250,000.

Former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, lamented that poor remuneration has crippled teaching quality. “The lecturers are tired, the morale is low… My son saw my pay slip and described it as a joke. Do you know that some lecturers sleep in the office?” he said.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Piwuna, blamed government neglect, noting salaries have barely changed since 2009. “Professors who were earning a little over N400,000 have still not been able to get to the N500,000 mark… Meanwhile, the political class keeps approving new pay rises for themselves,” he said

Prof. Tunde Adeoye of UNILAG urged urgent action to avert fresh strikes. “The government must improve our living standards and conditions of service to prevent brain drain. Many of our members cannot pay their house rents,” he said.

Source: Punch

The post Investigation Proves Nigerian Professors Are Lowest Earners In Africa appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

 Nigeria’s airlines say new government taxes could shut down the sector, as President Bola Tinubu’s reforms reintroduce VAT on air tickets and customs duties on aircraft, engines, and spares from January 1, 2026.

“This policy will kill the airlines within 48 hours,” warned AON Vice Chairman and Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, citing thin margins, high FX costs, and multiple existing charges.

Government officials say the move is needed to expand Nigeria’s tax base and harmonise levies but insist there will be “no going back” once the law takes effect.

Operators fear the extra costs will push ticket prices up, reduce demand, and force carriers to ground planes or defer maintenance. A former aviation ministry director cautioned this could create “an undesirable safety outcome.”

Global aviation bodies urge governments to exempt air transport from VAT and import duties. IATA chief Willie Walsh said: “Adding new layers of taxation increases costs and risks, cutting connectivity.”

Analysts recommend phasing in VAT and restoring exemptions for safety-critical parts to protect both revenue and connectivity.

The post Airlines Warn of Shutdown Over New Taxes appeared first on Housing TV Africa.