Property Owners Demand Compensation Over Displacement by Nigerian Railway Corporation in Lagos

Several property owners in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, have publicly demanded fair compensation following their displacement by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for rail infrastructure development. The owners claim that their residential properties at Adisa Estate on Murtala Mohammed Way were taken over by the NRC in 2018, without proper notice or adequate compensation.

In a 2023 ruling, a Federal High Court found the NRC’s acquisition unlawful, declaring the forceful takeover a violation of the affected families’ constitutional rights to own immovable property and awarding damages. Despite that ruling, the displaced families now say the compensation paid — or offered — falls far short of covering their losses. Their lawyer, representing the five families, has formally written to the NRC’s management demanding a total of ₦154.25 million as fair recompense for the seized properties.

The NRC’s public relations office responded that a valuation process was carried out and that some affected claimants had initially refused to receive compensation from the consultant appointed by the government. The agency said it is ready to pay out owed compensation to those claimants who recently indicated willingness to receive their entitlements.

This dispute highlights broader tensions between infrastructure development and respect for property rights. It exposes how displacement, when not handled with transparency and fairness, can lead to long-standing grievances. What do you think the government and NRC should do to protect citizens’ property rights while pursuing necessary infrastructure projects? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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