From Homeowners to Squatters: Displacement Woes of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
In July, Hazeez Adeniji’s life crumbled as bulldozers tore through his property on Saidi Obailegusi Road, Lekki. His eight bungalows and four shops were reduced to rubble, leaving the 51-year-old trader homeless and without livelihood. The demolition was part of the Federal Government’s construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometer project spanning nine states.
Adeniji’s struggles reflect the plight of many displaced property owners. Despite promises of compensation for affected structures, he claims he was denied justice. “I lost everything—my property worth over N90m, my business, and my dignity. I now live in a makeshift wooden shanty,” he lamented. His efforts to secure compensation were blocked by representatives of the Elegushi family, who contested ownership of his land.
The Federal Government announced plans to demolish up to 750 houses along the highway’s path. However, affected residents allege that compensation offers have been woefully inadequate. Affected property owners report offers as low as 3% of their property’s value, with many rejecting payments entirely. One property owner, Emeka Mewu, valued his demolished property at over N400m but was offered a mere N3.3m. “This amount doesn’t even cover a fraction of my losses,” he said.
Another displaced owner, Paul Osemele, declined a N42m offer for his property, which he valued at nearly N1bn. “My twin duplex and apartments, which generated N36m annually, are gone,” he said. Many victims, like retired surveyor Samuel Obioh, also highlighted discrepancies in the road’s alignment, which they claim was expanded arbitrarily, leading to additional demolitions.
The inadequate compensation process has drawn criticism from advocacy groups. Sola Enitan, head of the Coalition for Land Rights Advocacy, condemned the government for its “disregard of constitutional rights.” He noted that over 65 petitions had been sent to the Ministry of Works without response, while affected individuals faced intimidation during stakeholder meetings.
Legal experts have also called the process unconstitutional. Joseph Siyaidon of Stren & Blan Partners argued that the refusal to compensate for bare land violates property rights guaranteed under Nigerian law. Folusho Ogunrinde, General Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, described the non-payment for land as “tantamount to fraud,” emphasizing that land is a critical asset.
Despite numerous petitions and hearings at the National Assembly, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has yet to address the concerns. Many victims, like Adeniji, remain displaced, struggling to rebuild their lives. “This isn’t just about compensation; it’s about justice,” Adeniji said, calling on authorities to revisit his case and restore faith in fairness and accountability.