PRESS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abuja, Nigeria – September 2, 2025
HipCity Innovation Centre, a knowledge think tank, research, and advocacy organization focused on
urbanization, inclusive and sustainable urban development, has expressed significant concern regarding the
remarks made by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Monday, 1st
September 2025, about the FCTA intention to demolish all informal settlements and shanties throughout Abuja
during his recent media chat.
While we acknowledge the Minister’s paramount duty to ensure security and urban order, we strongly caution
that the current approach of forced evictions and demolitions without comprehensive alternatives will trigger a
severe humanitarian crisis and may ultimately exacerbate the very insecurity it aims to prevent.
The Minister alluded that these shanty areas harbour criminal elements, which is very debatable, as criminal
elements also live in duplexes and choice estates; for the Minister to equate every resident of informal
settlements as a criminal is a dangerous and dehumanising generalization. Furthermore, having profiled the
area, the office of the minister should invite the law enforcement agencies to identify the “so-called criminal
elements” instead of brushing an entire population with one tainted brush, thereby exacerbating the already
existing suffering that urban poor Nigerians are experiencing.
Science has shown that even animals enjoy comfort, how much more humans; every human desires comfort
and dignity and being poor is not a crime neither is it a basis for stigmatization; many of the informal
communities are largely comprised of low-income Nigerians, majority of whom are law-abiding, tax paying
junior staff in most government MDAs whose salary cannot afford the ever soaring rental cost, artisans, market
traders, domestic staff of the city elites and politicians, drivers, who form the backbone of our city’s economy
and are in pursuit of legitimate livelihood.
While there is poverty everywhere in the world as pointed out by the Minister, it is worthy of note to mention
that available data from the National Bureau of Statistics; World Bank and other reputable organization agrees
that more than half of Nigeria’s population face multi-dimensional poverty, a situation that is largely
occasioned by our government laws and policies that impoverish its citizens rather than lift them out of
poverty. Hence every action of government must be human-centric and considerate.
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF FORCED EVICTIONS:
- Mass Homelessness and Vulnerability: The immediate effect of these demolitions will render thousands
of families, including women and children, homeless and exposed to harsh environmental conditions, putting
their lives at risks. This violates their fundamental human right to adequate housing and dignity. - Increased Crime Rate: Contrary to the goal, creating a large population of desperate, displaced individuals
with no means of sustenance is a proven recipe for increasing petty theft, burglary, and more severe crimes.
When legitimate means of survival are destroyed, people are pushed towards illegality.
- Economic Disruption: The destruction of these informal economies will disrupt the supply of essential
goods and services to the city, affecting all Abuja residents.
A CALL FOR ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES: BEYOND DEMOLITION
We agree with the Minister that the government cannot single-handedly provide housing for all. However, this
reality should not be an excuse for demolition but a catalyst for innovative, collaborative, and humane
governance. We therefore urge the FCT Administration to consider the following alternative measures: - Participatory Enumeration and Planning: Halt all demolitions immediately and initiate a process of
community enumeration. Work with organizations like ours to map these settlements, identify legitimate
residents, and understand their economic needs. This data is crucial for effective planning. - In-Situ Upgrading, Not Eviction: Where security concerns are genuine, law enforcement agencies should
take up the responsibility of effecting arrest and charge culpable individuals to court. The government should
adopt a strategy of in-situ upgrading: improving sanitation, providing security posts and lighting, and
regularizing tenancy rather than wholesome demolition. This preserves social networks and economic
ecosystems. - Community Engagement: Security concerns must be addressed with the participation of affected
communities. Labelling entire settlements as criminal hideouts risks alienating law-abiding residents and
creates distrust between citizens and security agencies. - Provide Designated Temporary Relocation Areas: Before any relocation, the government must identify
and develop designated areas with basic amenities, water, sanitation, security, where residents can be
temporarily relocated without being pushed into further destitution. - Public-Private Partnerships for Social Housing: Instead of absolving itself of its responsibility to provide
decent and affordable housing to its citizens, the government should leverage partnerships with private
developers, offering incentives for the development of low-cost, high-density housing estates within and on the
outskirts of the city with accessible transportation systems in place.. - Support, Don’t Punish, Informal Trade: Rather than accusing traders of not using provided markets,
conduct audits to understand why. Is it affordability? Location? Logistics? Use this information to make
markets more accessible and supportive of informal economies.
Security is not just the absence of crime; it is the presence of dignity, opportunity, and hope. A secure city is an
inclusive city. We urge the Honourable Minister to pivot from a purely punitive approach to a strategic,
compassionate, and inclusive one that addresses the root causes of informal settlements.
HipCity Innovation Centre offers its expertise to the FCT Administration to help develop and implement these
alternative strategies for a more secure and prosperous Abuja for all.
About HipCity Innovation Centre: HipCity Innovation Centre is a non-profit research and advocacy
organization dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development, social inclusion, and innovative policy
solutions for African cities. We work to ensure that urban growth is equitable, resilient, and beneficial to all
citizens.
