HipCity Innovation Centre Condemns Senator Nwaebonyi’s Proposal to Demolish Unplanned Indigenous Communities: Calls for Inclusive Urban Reintegration of Abuja’s Urban Poor Communities
HipCity Innovation Centre unequivocally condemns the recent proposal by Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi to demolish unplanned settlements/communities along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport corridor in Abuja. These communities, a representative sample of the true vision of Abuja as a “Centre of Unity” being that all Nigerians from diverse ethnic groups including the Original inhabitants of Abuja live there showcasing both cultural history of the city and the tolerance of Nigerians to live together.
The proposal by the Senator to demolish these communities on the alter of aesthetics or misguided urban development only deepens marginalization and undermines inclusive city-building.
Senator Nwaebonyi’s call, made during a Senate session on May 14, 2025, urging the FCT Minister, Hon. Nyesom Wike, to remove what he termed “eyesores,” reveals a disturbing yet Nigeria’s elite approach to urban development—one that places aesthetics over our realities as a people, erodes human dignity, cultural identity and economic inclusion, failing to recognize the rights of vulnerable residents and the opportunity to harness urban regeneration as a tool for reintegration, not exclusion and extermination.
These communities are not mere structures in the wrong place. They are home to families who, despite limited means, have contributed meaningfully to the city’s social and economic ecosystem. Many are descendants of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants, who have suffered multiple waves of displacement since the creation of the Federal Capital Territory. Rather than demolish, the government must pursue pathways of reintegrating these communities into the urban vision through participatory planning, infrastructure upgrading, and access to basic services.
HipCity Innovation Centre acknowledges the Senate’s decision to reject the proposal—thanks to the principled objections of lawmakers who recognize the need for equity and justice in urban policy. However, we remain deeply concerned by Senator Adamu Aliero’s remarks suggesting the lands have been officially allocated for development. Such comments underscore the ongoing threat of forced evictions and the systemic disregard for community tenure and social equity.
Forced evictions do not reflect a modern, just, or inclusive city. They violate the right to adequate housing, guaranteed under Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution and reinforced by international human rights frameworks to which Nigeria is a signatory, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
HipCity Innovation Centre therefore calls on the Nigerian Senate to go beyond rejecting proposals and take a stand by the people by jettisoning any bill(s) that triggers or insinuate demolitions of informal and indigenous settlements in the FCT. The Senate through the committee on FCT must demonstrate character and insist that urban development in the FCT is participatory, inclusive, and pro-poor.
We call on the FCT Minister and his cabinet not to rely solely on their wisdom, but to widen its governance net to incorporate urban planners, civil society organizations, and local leaders to design an inclusive city where every resident—regardless of income or heritage—is protected and has a place. Rather than displace the urban poor, the FCT must adopt approaches that prioritize in-situ upgrading, reintegration, and infrastructure investments in informal settlements.
Where eviction becomes unavoidable for the purpose of “public good” then the resettlement process must be rooted in social justice principles: prior notice, full community consultation, fair compensation, and access to adequate alternative housing.
At HipCity Innovation Centre we remain committed to building cities that work for everyone, especially the urban poor. True development is not about displacing people to beautify highways; building luxury homes that is occupied by lizards and wall geckos, it is about regenerating communities, safeguarding rights, and reintegrating the most vulnerable into the heart of the city.
Signed:
HipCity Innovation Centre
