As Lagos State intensifies clearance and demolition exercises in informal settlements, experiences from other African countries are offering important lessons on how governments can balance urban development with human rights and housing security.
Across the continent, forced evictions have remained one of the most controversial tools of urban renewal. From waterfront settlements in Lagos to forest communities in Kenya, governments are grappling with the challenge of upgrading cities without worsening poverty or displacing vulnerable populations.
Findings show that countries such as Kenya, Morocco, and Uganda have adopted different approaches to eviction, compensation, and resettlement—some more structured than others—providing policy options Lagos can study as it pursues urban regeneration.
Forced Evictions and International Standards
Amnesty International defines forced eviction as the removal of people from their homes or land against their will, without adequate legal protection, consultation, or compensation. Under international human rights law, evictions should be a last resort and must follow strict safeguards.
These include meaningful engagement with affected communities, sufficient notice, provision of alternative housing, and compensation for losses. Authorities are also required to ensure that no eviction renders residents homeless or exposes them to further rights violations.
Lagos Demolitions and Public Debate
In Lagos, thousands of residents in communities such as Makoko, Oworonshoki, Ilaje-Otumara, Owode Onirin, and Baba Ijora have been displaced under urban renewal and safety enforcement programmes.
The Lagos State Government has defended the demolitions, citing safety risks associated with illegal structures, especially those built under high-tension power lines and near critical infrastructure.
Speaking previously, the Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, said the Makoko demolitions were part of a statewide safety strategy to prevent disasters such as fires and infrastructure failure. He noted that the state had committed about $2 million since 2021 to redevelop the Makoko waterfront, with expectations of additional support from international partners.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also maintained that evacuation notices were issued more than two years before the demolitions, stressing that the exercise targeted safety corridors and not the entire Makoko community.
Despite these assurances, civil society groups argue that demolitions often occur without comprehensive resettlement plans, leaving displaced residents exposed to homelessness and economic hardship.
Kenya: Environmental Protection Versus Indigenous Rights
Kenya’s eviction of residents from the Embobut Forest highlights the tension between environmental protection and indigenous land rights. Beginning around 2013, thousands of residents, including members of the Sengwer community, were evicted to protect forest ecosystems and water catchment areas.
Although the government offered compensation of about 400,000 Kenyan shillings per household, many residents rejected the payments, insisting that ancestral land could not be replaced with money. Legal disputes followed, with courts issuing injunctions against evictions pending land rights resolutions.
The case has become a reference point in African policy debates, underscoring the importance of legal clarity, early consultation, and culturally sensitive resettlement frameworks.
Morocco: Structured Resettlement as Policy
Morocco’s “Cities Without Slums” programme presents a contrasting model. Under the initiative, eviction is closely tied to resettlement and compensation plans.
Affected households are often offered subsidised housing plots costing about 20,000 Moroccan dirhams or relocated to newly built apartment units. In some cases, government subsidies significantly reduce housing costs, while temporary support payments help families secure accommodation during transitions.
Urban analysts say Morocco’s structured compensation and relocation system has reduced resistance to redevelopment projects and limited humanitarian fallout.
Uganda: Court-Driven Compensation Frameworks
Uganda offers another approach shaped by judicial intervention. In recent years, courts have ordered compensation for victims of forced evictions, prompting the creation of a Land Compensation Fund.
While implementation remains uneven, legal enforcement has pushed the government towards a more formalised compensation process, especially in large redevelopment projects such as the Nakawa-Naguru estate.
Lessons for Lagos and Other African Cities
Urban experts say Lagos can draw three key lessons from these models: early community consultation, legally backed compensation frameworks, and clear resettlement plans before demolition begins.
Analysts argue that property ownership or secure housing is closely tied to economic stability. Without alternatives, forced evictions risk deepening urban poverty and pushing displaced residents into more hazardous settlements.
As African cities continue to expand rapidly, the debate over evictions is likely to intensify. Whether urban renewal is seen as inclusive development or displacement-driven growth will depend largely on how governments manage the social consequences of clearing informal settlements while modernising cities.
