Widespread Building Demolitions Leave Nigerians Homeless, Spark Outrage Over Urban Planning and Human Rights
Story: written by Uzuh Rita Sptember 22,2025
Across Nigeria’s major cities, residents are grappling with grief, anger, and financial ruin as waves of building demolitions continue to strip families of homes, businesses, and lifelong investments.
In Imo State, Engineer Bernard Nzerem remains devastated after his ₦2.2 billion property in Naze was bulldozed in July 2025—barely a week after it was marked. Despite presenting a valid Certificate of Occupancy and Power of Attorney, his multi-storey complex, church auditorium, and over 70% completed shopping plaza were reduced to rubble.
“This wasn’t just a building—it was my entire life’s sweat,” Nzerem lamented, describing his loss as both financial and spiritual.
Dozens of shop owners connected to the property now face financial collapse, forced to vacate with little hope of recovery. Similar tragedies are unfolding nationwide, from Owerri to Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Bayelsa, and Rivers State, with thousands displaced and property owners accusing government agencies of acting with impunity.
Lagos and Abuja at the epicenter
Lagos, notorious for its urban renewal demolitions, has seen communities in Oworonshoki and Eti-Osa flattened, leaving families homeless overnight. Residents claim bulldozers arrived under the cover of darkness, despite prior compliance efforts.
“We reinforced our houses as instructed, only to wake up and see bulldozers tearing them down,” said displaced resident Afeez Ayeni, who accused the government of betrayal.
In Abuja, demolition waves—dating back to Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as FCT Minister—have intensified under Nyesom Wike, with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and AMMC leading operations. A recent High Court ruling, however, declared some demolitions unlawful, ordering ₦200 million in compensation to affected homeowners, a landmark judgment viewed as a win for property rights.
The human cost
The demolitions have pushed rent prices sky-high in already expensive neighborhoods. In Lagos’ Oworonshoki, landlords now advertise their houses as “government-approved” to justify doubling rents, leaving displaced families unable to afford even a single room.
Healthcare workers like Esther Morakinyo Fabiyi describe the toll on women and children:
“I saw mothers weeping in the streets. The government is not building affordable housing, yet it is destroying the little people have struggled to improve.”
In Kano’s Rimin Zakara community, over 40 homes were demolished in an operation linked to Bayero University land disputes, leaving casualties and sparking outrage over disregard for the poor.
Experts weigh in
Urban planners and property lawyers argue that many demolitions reflect reactive governance and selective enforcement of planning laws.
“Where is government oversight when foundations are being laid without approval?” asked Andrew Osarhieme, a Lagos-based real estate expert. “Authorities wait until structures are complete, then move in with bulldozers.”
Legal analysts, such as Mathias Egem, warn that demolitions are increasingly used as tools for land grabbing. “Instead of reclaiming properties for public good—like schools or hospitals—authorities demolish and resell to private buyers,” he said.
Calls for reform
Stakeholders are demanding harmonised building regulations, clearer zoning, and an end to what they describe as demolitions carried out without “a human face.”
“Property is a fundamental right,” Egem stressed. “Government must balance safety with compassion, because many Nigerians die shortly after losing their lifelong homes.”
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) insists demolitions are necessary for public safety, especially in high-risk areas under power lines or waterways. Officials maintain that notices are served well in advance and that owners who failed to regularise their documents are responsible for their losses.
Still, displaced families, human rights advocates, and property experts continue to ask: Is Nigeria’s demolition culture about safety, or about power and profit?
