Gentrification in Nigeria: A case of Maroko and 1004 estate, Lagos, Nigeria

Chinwe Nwanna

This chapter examines the process of gentrification in two contrasting geographical areas (Maroko now Oniru Private Housing Estate and 1004 Estate) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Maroko was a densely populated slum area with migrant residents living on the fringe of the city while 1004 Estate was a federal government quarters harbouring civil servants and located in the highbrow Victoria Island area of Lagos. It was in good condition before but, due to neglect and lack of maintenance, became dilapidated. Lagos has been described as one of the most expensive cities in Africa where real estate business is very viable in spite of the economic depression. This fact makes any dilapidated house attractive to estate developers and affluent members of the society. Content analysis of extant literature demonstrated that the residents of these geographical areas were forcefully evicted from their homes. Estate developers purchased and renovated the buildings and converted them into condominia with neighbourhood centres and beyond the economic capacities of the former residents. Literature further revealed that majority of the evicted residents had not been compensated nor relocated. They suffered varying degrees of trauma including suicide. While gentrification beautifies the city, generates revenue for the government and improves the quality of life in the gentrified areas, it further impoverishes the urban poor, pushing them into a lower standard of living and dislocation of their social lives. The chapter therefore recommends that before any government will evict residents, it should first of all provide a suitable neighbourhood for their relocation and adequately compensate them, to enable them afford conventional houses