The Legal Implications of Land Grabbing and Forced Evictions in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, land grabbing and forced evictions have become urgent problems with significant
adverse social, economic, and human rights impacts on affected people. This article examines the
pressing issues of forced evictions and land grabbing in Nigeria, which have significant social,
economic, and human rights repercussions for affected populations. The country's rapid
urbanisation, population growth, and infrastructure development projects have sparked land
ownership and access conflicts. Marginalised groups, indigenous communities, and vulnerable
populations have suffered disproportionately as a result of arbitrary land seizures and evictions
made possible by colonial-era land policies and inadequate legal frameworks. This article uses
doctrinal methodology to examine Nigeria's legal framework governing land rights, tenure
systems, and eviction processes. Through a comprehensive analysis of domestic and international
legal instruments, it underscores the intricate web of legal norms shaping land governance and
conflicts. Findings revealed the urgent need for legislative reforms and policy interventions to
safeguard affected individuals' rights and ensure offenders' accountability. It recommended
legislative reforms to strengthen legal protections for land rights and tenure security while
establishing robust mechanisms for holding perpetrators of land grabbing and forced evictions
accountable. In conclusion, this article sheds light on the intricate legal implications of land
grabbing and forced evictions in Nigeria, revealing their profound social, economic, and human
rights implications