HipCity Innovation Centre, a Nigerian NGO, has urged Federal and State governments to take action to stop the widespread demolitions of homes in Abuja, Lagos, and other regions, which have exacerbated Nigeria’s housing deficit crisis. The Centre reported that these demolitions and evictions have left thousands of families homeless, causing significant hardship and even deaths.
At a town hall meeting in Abuja, HipCity’s Executive Director, Bassey Bassey, highlighted recent major demolitions, including the Durumi Camp destruction in June 2023 and ongoing demolitions in Daki Biyu, as well as the Nigerian Navy’s eviction threat against the Iddo Sarkin community in February 2024. He emphasized the need for immediate intervention to address these issues.
To address the situation, HipCity, in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, has launched Nigeria’s first web-based platform for reporting evictions and demolitions. This platform aims to document and report incidents nationwide, providing a critical tool for stakeholders to engage with the government and assess the legality and motives behind such actions.
Bassey stated that the impact of these demolitions is severe, with families being displaced, children losing access to education, and local economies destabilized. The lack of proper notice and support during evictions exacerbates the challenges for the urban poor, disrupting the social fabric of communities and leading to long-term negative effects on health, education, and overall well-being.
