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Defending the Housing Rights of Displaced Persons in Urban Nigeria

Chris Agoha, Political Affairs Officer, Political, Policy & Planning Section, United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
agoha@un.org

The number of people displaced by programs and projects intended to promote local and national development are substantial. Unfortunately, they have not benefited from these development initiatives. Displaced populations continue to live in fear as they face discrimination and stigmatization. Their living conditions are sub-standard and many continue to have limited access to essential services of food and medicine, adequate shelter, income-generating activities, and education. The inability of government to alleviate the widespread housing problems in the urban cities, have also resulted in destitution and human migration. Displaced people live in poverty, with uncertain prospects of being able to return to their original homes and lands in security and peace. They suffer not only from the initial violation of being forcibly evicted from their homes and lands, but also from grave violations of their rights to security of the person, to non-discrimination, to the highest attainable standards of living, to reparation, among others. This paper explores the early experiences of resettlement in Nigeria, and presents an overview of most significant recent formulation of theories on reconstruction and resettlement, with a view to addressing the gap between existing policy and theory. It argues that the respect for human rights must be the focus of all efforts to resolve the rampant displacement of person in urban Nigeria, and urges the government to comply fully with its housing obligations under international human rights law. It concludes that the government should evolve a housing policy that must be people-centered, founded on the generic principles envisaged by the World Bank and the Millennium Development Goals.