Land Rights and Forced Evictions in Urban Lagos: A Human Rights Perspective

This research examines the human rights implications of forced evictions in urban Lagos State, with particular attention to low-income and informal settlement communities. Nigeria's rapid urbanization has intensified pressure on land resources, resulting in large-scale demolitions of communities such as Otodo Gbame, Badia East, and Makoko, often without adequate notice, compensation, or resettlement. The study situates these practices within the framework of the right to adequate housing under Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the guidelines of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment No. 7 on forced evictions. A documentary analysis methodology is used, drawing on court judgments, Amnesty International reports, Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC) case documentation, and Lagos State government land-use records. The study critically evaluates the Land Use Act of 1978 as the primary domestic framework governing land rights and assesses its compatibility with international human rights standards. Findings reveal that evictions are routinely carried out with inadequate prior consultation, no alternative housing options, and excessive use of force by security agencies. The study argues that current practice violates both domestic and international law. Recommendations include reform of the Land Use Act, mandatory human rights impact assessments prior to evictions, and the establishment of a community land rights tribunal in Lagos. Keywords: forced evictions, land rights, housing rights, Lagos, Land Use Act.