Displacement and the public interest in Nigeria: contesting developmental rationales for displacement

The displacement of urban households and livelihoods by state institutions is typically justified on the basis of the developmental purposes of land clearance, purportedly in the public interest. However, conflicts around such displacement highlight both the contested nature of the “public interest” and the unequal position that different urban actors are into shape consensus about what this should constitute. This article draws on research into the relationship between urban infrastructure development and displacement in Nigeria, to explore how actors negotiate their positions vis-a-vis displacement and contest its developmental rationale

Original dataset on urban infrastructure related displacements in Nigeria: Insights from national and sub-national levels

The data presented here is related to the research article titled "Evicting the poor in the 'overriding public interest': Crisis of rights and interests, and contestations in Nigerian cities" [1]. This data brief presents relevant national and sub-national data on patterns, trends, and impacts of reported urban infrastructure-related displacements in Nigeria between 2010 and 2016. The data of reported cases of displacements in Nigeria are presented in tabular matrix. On the horizontal side are nested rows designated as the six geopolitical zones (South East, South South, South West, North Central, North East, and North West), 36 States of the country, and Abuja Federal Capital Territory. It was also necessary to identify particular local government areas where displacements occurred or were imminent (case locations). On the vertical side, 14 columns itemized diverse variables such as type of infrastructure project, as well as the mode/type, status, and mechanisms of displacement. Other columns include reasons given for displacement, project funder/initiator, number of project affected persons (PAPs), reported social characteristics of PAPs, response of PAPs, actions/outcomes, information sources and link, date(s) of reported displacement in addition to a section for notes. Besides chronicling urban infrastructure-related displacement cases in the period under review, this brief might equally serve as a benchmark for a prospective national displacement register. It will also function as a useful information resource not only for facilitating advocacy and research in built environment disciplines and civil rights campaigns, but also serve to conscientize policy makers and development practitioners on the cumulative cost implications of displacement. Further interpretive insights could be achieved through data mining and cross-tabulation

Urbanisation-induced displacements in peri-urban areas: Clashes between customary tenure and statutory practices in Ugbo-Okonkwo Community in Enugu, Nigeria

Rapid urbanisation is precipitating wide-ranging and often irreversible changes in cities and at the shifting peri-urban areas around the world. As a significant factor of change in the 21st Century, urbanisation is irreversibly transforming everything on its path―air, land, water, and ecology, including institutions, customs, and lifestyles. The subject scope of urbanisation research is therefore quite wide and diverse. Yet, urbanisation-induced attritions and substitutions of customary tenure practices, coupled with the associated politics and resistances, remain utterly overlooked. Using a mixed method approach (involving desktop research, remote sensing data and stakeholder interviews), this paper examines the clashes between customary tenure regime and statutory practices dictated by urban laws, and how different stakeholders are appropriating them both to promote and resist displacement or eviction. Amidst growing encroachment pressures on peri-urban communities in Nigerian cities, a new imperative for enhanced tenure security and integrated planning approach are proposed

Stakeholders’ perspectives and willingness to institutionalize linkages between the formal health system and informal healthcare providers in urban slums in southeast, Nigeria

Background The widely available informal healthcare providers (IHPs) present opportunities to improve access to appropriate essential health services in underserved urban areas in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, they are not formally linked to the formal health system. This study was conducted to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders about institutionalizing linkages between the formal health systems and IHPs, as a strategy for improving access to appropriate healthcare services in Nigeria. Methods Data was collected from key stakeholders in the formal and informal health systems, whose functions cover the major slums in Enugu and Onitsha cities in southeast Nigeria. Key informant interviews (n = 43) were conducted using semi-structured interview guides among representatives from the formal and informal health sectors. Interview transcripts were read severally, and using thematic content analysis, recurrent themes were identified and used for a narrative synthesis. Results Although the dominant view among respondents is that formalization of linkages between IHPs and the formal health system will likely create synergy and quality improvement in health service delivery, anxieties and defensive pessimism were equally expressed. On the one hand, formal sector respondents are pessimistic about limited skills, poor quality of care, questionable recognition, and the enormous challenges of managing a pluralistic health system. Conversely, the informal sector pessimists expressed uncertainty about the outcomes of a government-led supervision and the potential negative impact on their practice. Some of the proposed strategies for institutionalizing linkages between the two health sub-systems include: sensitizing relevant policymakers and gatekeepers to the necessity of pluralistic healthcare; mapping and documenting of informal providers and respective service their areas for registration and accreditation, among others. Perceived threats to institutionalizing these linkages include: weak supervision and monitoring of informal providers by the State Ministry of Health due to lack of funds for logistics; poor data reporting and late referrals from informal providers; lack of referral feedback from formal to informal providers, among others. Conclusions Opportunities and constraints to institutionalize linkages between the formal health system and IHPs exist in Nigeria. However, there is a need to design an inclusive system that ensures tolerance, dignity, and mutual learning for all stakeholders in the country and in other LMICs

Multitasking, but for what benefit? The dilemma facing Nigerian university students regarding part-time working.

Students working part-time while studying for a full-time university degree are commonplace in many Western countries. This paper however, examines the historically uncommon part-time working activities and career aspirations among Nigerian university students. In particular, how working is perceived to contribute to developing employability skills, and whether it is influenced by their self-efficacy. Survey data from 324 questionnaires was collected from a federal university, although the data analysis used a mixed-method. The findings indicate that despite low levels of part-time working generally among students, older, more experienced, higher level and female students, place a premium on the skills that part-time work can develop. Moreover, self-efficacy and being female, is a significant predictor in understanding part-time work and career aspirations. This study offers originality by focusing on students’ part-time work, the value working provides, and its link with career aspirations, within a relatively unexplored context of Nigeria

Evaluation of equity in informal land development systems in two Nigerian cities

The informal land development system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is perceived to promote equity and could be leveraged to support sustainable urban development and management. However, scanty empirical evidence exists on the extent of the system’s provision of equity to support policy formulation and practice in the region. Based on stakeholder workshops, focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys, this study analyses the system’s provision of equity in Nigeria. The study finds all categories of people undertake informal developments. Consistent with literature, this finding reflects wide patronage of the informal land development system and its relevance. Nevertheless, contrary to the existing perception, the system’s provision of equity is low. The study recommends for the institution of pro-poor and gender sensitive land development and management policies and programmes to increase the levels of equity to support the achievement of the country’s sustainable urban development and management agenda

Data for: Evicting the Poor in the ‘Overriding Public Interest’: Crisis of Rights and Interests, and Anti-Planning in Nigerian Cities.

The data of reported cases of displacements in Nigeria is presented in tabular matrix with, on the one hand, nested rows designated as six Sub-regions, 36 States and Abuja FCT, and Case Location/Local Government Area, and, on the other, 14 columns of variables. The rows were itemised correspondingly as follows: Type of infrastructure project; Mode of displacement; Status of displacement; Mechanisms of displacement; Reasons given for displacement; Project funder/initiator; Type of displacement; Number of people/persons affected; Reported social characteristics of people affected; Response of those affected; Action(s) Outcome; Source(s) of information and link; Date(s) reported; and Notes

Data for: Urban Infrastructure-related Displacement in Nigeria

The data repository presented here is related to research article titled “Evicting the poor in the ‘overriding public interest’: Crisis of rights and interests, and contestations in Nigerian cities” (Onyebueke, et al., in press) [1]. This data article presents relevant national and city-level data on patterns, trend, and impacts of reported urban infrastructure-related displacements in Nigeria between 2010 and 2016. The data of reported cases of displacements in Nigeria is presented in tabular matrix with, on the one hand, nested rows designated as six Sub-regions, 36 States and Abuja Federal Capital Territory, and Case Location/Local Government Area, and, on the other, 14 columns of variables. The rows were itemized correspondingly as follows: Type of infrastructure project; Mode of displacement; Status of displacement; Mechanisms of displacement; Reasons given for displacement; Project funder/initiator; Type of displacement; Number of people/persons affected; Reported social characteristics of people affected; Response of those affected; Action(s) Outcome; Source(s) of information and link; Date(s) reported; and Notes. By synthesizing secondary information sources on the subject matter, it is hoped that this data will bridge the information gap and lay a solid foundation for a repository of existing and future information, while serving as a resource for advocacy at national and sub-national levelsTHIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Data for: Evicting the Poor in the ‘Overriding Public Interest’: Crisis of Rights and Interests, and Anti-Planning in Nigerian Cities.

The data of reported cases of displacements in Nigeria is presented in tabular matrix with, on the one hand, nested rows designated as six Sub-regions, 36 States and Abuja FCT, and Case Location/Local Government Area, and, on the other, 14 columns of variables. The rows were itemised correspondingly as follows: Type of infrastructure project; Mode of displacement; Status of displacement; Mechanisms of displacement; Reasons given for displacement; Project funder/initiator; Type of displacement; Number of people/persons affected; Reported social characteristics of people affected; Response of those affected; Action(s) Outcome; Source(s) of information and link; Date(s) reported; and Notes.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Evicting the poor in the ‘overriding public interest’: Crisis of rights and interests, and contestations in Nigerian cities

Forced eviction is unquestionably a global humanitarian crisis. Africa and, particularly, Nigeria bear a major brunt of this ‘global epidemic’, which carries enormous material and human costs. Yet, eviction is frequently hidden behind forms of displacements which operate within the law, and are justified on the basis of public interest rationales. Drawing on a research project into urban infrastructure-related displacement in Nigeria, this paper explores the reported incidence, patterns and trends of urban displacements and their impacts in Nigeria over a period of six years (2010–2016). Through the prism of the holistic approach, it interrogates the conflicting ‘publics’ and ‘interests’ in the diverse displacement contexts, and argues that the ‘public interest’ behind official rationale for displacement is, in reality, a highly contested affair. The paper recommends that displacements, where unavoidable, ought to be planned inclusively against the background of meaningful engagement and procedural safeguards