HOMELESSNESS: WHO WILL HOUSE LAGOS?
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Akewusola Wasiu Adedamola; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako; United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Ms Leilani Farha; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; UN official, Mr. Jon Izagirre Garcia; Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai during a courtesy visit by officials from United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures to the Governor at Lagos House, Alausa, on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
Reputed to be the largest city in Nigeria by population, Lagos is seated on a small total surface area of 3,518.61 sq. km. Nigeria has an estimated population of over 200 million and the city-state alone bears a staggering one-tenth, that is 20 million, of the total inhabitants of the 36 federating-unit country on the smallest land area of all.
Yet, the city is the undisputed king of diversity, and the commercial and entertainment hub of West Africa. Lagos is home to many – Americans, Germans, Lebanese, Chinese, Indians, Koreans, Russians, Portuguese, you can go on and on. Chadians, Ivoriens, Malians, Guineans, Burkinabes, Nigeriens, Beninois, Cameroonians, Kenyans, Ugandans, Angolans, and many other African brothers call Lagos their home. What more? There is no one of the over 400 language groups that is not represented in the state of aquatic splendor – Jukuns, Tivs, Igarras, Igalas, Edos, to mention a few.
MOTHER OF 86 PER HOUR
With great possibilities, they say, come great challenges. Lagos or ‘Eko’, its native name, is struggling like the mother with multiple births. To give the babies the breast milk that is so needed for their survival is a challenge.
The immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode remarked during his administration: ‘There is perhaps no better classic example of where these challenges of rapid urbanization come to life than in Lagos. It is estimated that 86 immigrants enter Lagos every hour – the highest in any city in the world. And they have no plans to leave. This is because Lagos has remained over time and most especially in the last decade, the most attractive destination for those who want to realize and live their Nigerian dream. This ever increasing population of state, however, means that we have to be on our toes to provide facilities for this more than 23 million population’
A Woman and her Child sleeping on Ojodu-Berger Pedestrian Bridge by 11:45pm Photo by Oki Samson
Shelter is one of the top three on Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs but Lagos is failing big time!
Of the 3,518.61 sq. km total surface area of Lagos, a portion has been cut off by its huge water bodies leaving only the riverine-dexterous like the Eguns and Ilajes to take advantage of building their abode on the Lagos lagoon.
The several other inhabitants jostle for the dry grounds and reclaimed marshes. Those who can’t compete are pushed to the streets, under bridges, laybys and any other available space.
During the course of this investigative story by Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper, a middle-aged Igbo man was found with his beautiful wife at Benson, Ikorodu who was appealing to a cybercafé owner to house his wife. Apparently, the man is perplexed having scattered all their properties around town with some friends, is finding a place for her wife to be safe while he can hang around to work and reunite his family. The man was in such a tight corner that he could find no other option than to ‘dash out’ his fair wife.
The famous psychologist Abraham Maslow in his 1943 thesis argued that the failure to meet the basic needs could lead to mental health issues. A people who cannot guarantee where they will lay their heads in the night cannot be balanced talk less of being happy. For them, daily life is constant struggle. The threat of being battered by tortuous weather, being molested by miscreants, being arrested by law enforcement agencies, and being knocked down by onrushing vehicles is so real.
The thought of going back to the hometown is beyond imaginable. How do I handle the taunts? What will my relatives say? How can I have been in Lagos for so and so years and return empty? These questions are strong enough to make several people hang in there and hope that things will get better in Lagos.
Some people sleeping in a Cage to pass their night rest.
INSIDE BUS, UNDER BRIDGE, LAYBYS; OUR LAGOS
Trek Africa Newspaper discovered that many uninhabitable places, among many others, on the mainland and island have become the abode of many Lagosians.
An uncompleted building around Otedola bridge has turned to ‘barracks’ for the homeless. The houses and business complex which were partially demolished for road construction around Ojodu Berger and Oshodi have become home for the homeless. The laybys in Berger, Iyana Oworo and Ketu; and Alausa secretariat under bridge are places of habitation. The less traveled corridor on the Berger pedestrian bridge is sleeping position for some boys.
Lekan Adefolarin, a load carrier who sleeps on the pedestrian bridge at Berger spoke with Trek Africa Newspaper said: ‘This is where I’ve been living since last year. We are not safe at night, mosquito bites, people come to attack us but we also don’t sleep deeply. If they come, we run away. What we get in our works daily is just enough to feed ourselves, we don’t want to steal. It takes N30,000 to get a room apartment in Isheri, and my charges is just N50, N100. We beg the government, if they give us jobs, we will work and earn money to rent a house. And if it is to give us shelter for 1 or 2 years so we can settle to raise money to rent. My mother is in Ijebu-ode. She knows I am in Lagos but not exactly my whereabouts. We don’t have girls among us’
Mama Jolaade, an orange seller pays N100 daily to be able to pass the night at an empty space in Ketu, ‘Orange is seasonal so I sell pure water when orange is not in season. We pay N100 to sleep daily, we pay to take our bath, we spread clothes to sleep. If the government can help us, we will be happy. If they provide housing, we will be glad to be there. We shuttle between Lagos and Iwo, Osun state. It is when we are in Lagos that we sleep there, we have a family house in Iwo. This is Ketu. A new person can’t just come and sleep there, if they don’t know you, they won’t allow you. Only known street traders are allowed.’
It was discovered by our correspondent that People spread their clothes and cartons to sleep in front of the long row of shops close to the Ogba shopping arcade at Ogba. A 19 year old Waliu Quadri also spoke with this Newspaper, ‘I sleep in front of the shop where I buy the drinks I sell. I sell soft drinks and bottled water in the day to night. The woman I get wares from will give them to me to sell during the day, then I return money at night. I get my profit. I sleep around the woman’s shop when shops are closed. We are many. The woman is aware. I started late last year. There is a car wash where will take our bath and wash our clothes, and we pay to defecate in a public toilet. My family is in Ijebu. I go home to celebrate festivals. I don’t have anybody in Lagos. I do call my family. I am the only male, I am 19 years old. I will like to get an apartment if I have the money’
Underneath the Obalende bridge around Macgregor canal, about 100 young people including ladies reside there. They have their beds, chairs, tables, wardrobes and other furniture probably packed from their former residence placed under the bridge which is their new abode. They sit and play during the day under the bridge. As at 10:23am, when our correspondent visited the area, some were still sleeping comfortably to show they have made the place a home.
The Obalende under bridge that was a beautiful garden with nice scenery, pavement blocks, greens, sculpture, wall art paintings and steer fencings have rotten away. The iron barricades have been removed. The wall paintings of Jakande, Tinubu, Herbert macaulay, Fatai Rolling Dolars, Abibat Mogaji can still be found there because they are on the walls but the sculpture works have been moved away to make room for people to sleep. There is refuse all over, people defecate openly in the canal.
On the Berger layby, you will find women moving around during the day with their baggages, sometimes sitting to wile away time. Then when it is late night, you find them sleeping. Teenage girls are also found around 11:16pm smoking with keke marwa riders. They also don’t have a place to sleep, perhaps they sleep in the tricycles.
Opposite Eko Hotel Gardens, in the night, you will also find people sleep in cars and in a large abandoned compound close by. Some have built counters with nylon to cover them against mosquito bite.
When you board commercial buses early in the morning and you are very observant, you will likely find items like mosquito repellent coils, candles, matches, cigarettes, alcoholic liquors in satchet, detergents, among others confirming that the bus drivers, conductors, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have passed their night in those buses. If you get there early enough you will likely find some of them wash their faces, hands, and feet with soap and water getting ready for the day. Some don’t even bother they just continue working with their unclean mouths, while few may be using the chewing sticks through the first trip of the day.
THE OUTSKIRTS; OUR LAGOS
Akute, Ajuwon, Alagbado, Sango, Ifo, Papalanto, Ibafo, Mowe, Agbara – all these conurbations are officially mapped for Ogun state but they are unofficially located in Lagos, at least going by the assertion of the dwellers. Many of them will usually insist that they live in Lagos. This is because Lagos governors have generally accomplished more results within the same period as their Ogun counterparts. More so, they all work in Lagos daily to return home every night or weekend, as the case may be, so there is regular interaction with Lagos.
Two middle age men sleeping under the Obalende Bridge popularly known as Mcgregor canal Photos by Oki Samson 
But the cost to health, finances and wellbeing is too large a cost to bear for a human. This could explain why the average life expectancy for a Nigerian is low when compared.
Close to 11pm on a regular working day, Mr. Fatai, a clerk is still in Agege, Lagos to board a bus to far away Ifo, Ogun state. The rough terrain as a result of ongoing construction of the Agege Pen Cinema flyover is not helping matters as buses are uncoordinated and park indiscriminately forcing passengers to walk some distance before they can get buses. Yet, he must hit the roads again by 4am the next morning or else, he will get to the office late. Speaking to Trek Africa, ‘we admire you people living in the city centre. Look at me now, I am in Agege by 10.30pm. I hope there won’t be traffic so I can get home early enough.’ When asked if he rented the apartment, he hinted that the house is his family house. His words, ‘it is my family house. And that gives some respite otherwise I don’t know if I will cope.’
HOMELESSNESS IN LAGOS HAS ATTRACTED GLOBAL ATTENTION
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Leilani Farha, visited Lagos recently to assess the situation in the most populous African country. Ms. Farha met and was able to discuss with the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu about the social and economic importance of affordable shelter.
Prior to her visit, Leilani said: ‘Housing affordability, particularly in urban areas, has become an issue of concern worldwide. A contributing factor is housing speculation, which serves to increase housing prices and pushes residents out of their neighbourhoods and cities. I hope to gain an understanding as to whether such trends are also present in Nigeria.’
LAGOS TAKING BABY STEPS
Perhaps, as a result of the high-powered meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur, Ms. Leilani Farha, Lagos is set to build transit homes for the homeless in Lagos.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the LASRETRAD Portal, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka, the Special Adviser (Housing) to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu told Trek Africa Newspaper that the government is coming up with solutions that will alleviate the sufferings of Lagosians.
She said: ‘We are coming up with transit homes. Improve informal sector. We will build houses for the homeless and we give you a period of time for you to settle and then you can move to your own place.’
INTENTIONAL POLICY TO CONTROL MIGRATION OR DEPOPULATE LAGOS
Many observers, aboriginal Lagosians in particular, have advocated for successive governments of Lagos to come up with stringent measures that will make Lagos unattractive or uncomfortable for struggling immigrants to enter. The locals believe that the ‘Eko gb’ole, o gb’ole; Lagos is accommodating for thieves and the indolent’ and ‘Lagos is a no man’s land’ popular sayings is negatively impacting on the lots of the megacity. It is putting strain on the resources and infrastructures of the state. No matter the amount of money the government amasses as revenue, it never seems to be able to catch up with the mounting expenditures. The government is under intense pressure to increase spending on public infrastructure in terms of constructing new ones and maintaining the old.
Jimi Disu, public commentator and veteran journalist is a supporter of the idea. Through his various platforms, Morning Digest on Lagos Talks 91.3FM, The Discourse with Jimi Disu on Classic 97.3FM and other forums, he challenges the Lagos government to introduce such. Whether by overt or covert mechanisms, he believes the process may be inevitable after all. He believes the government will have to take the stance, though it may be unpopular but will be beneficial in the long run.
It would be recalled that the Lagos taskforce intercepted a truck filled with 123 Hausa travelers and 48 used motorcycles recently in Agege, Lagos. In what is a migration norm in Lagos, many of these travelers were said to have no family or friends in Lagos. The people just believed that they will find their way upon entering Lagos. This led to a long drawn legal battle centered on unlawful detention and violation of the right to free movement in the country. The men sued the Lagos state government to the tune of N1billion naira in a lawsuit that was later dropped.
One will, then, wonder how the depopulation policy or controlled migration policy may work. Only time will tell if Lagos will get a governor that will have the clout to establish and execute such a policy.
STATE GOVERNORS MUST UPGRADE
Successive governments of Lagos are always under severe criticism for low or average performance no matter how effectively they discharge their duties. The claim is that ‘Lagos is rich’ and can afford whatever projects it embarks on.
But the same people who lay the blame on Lagos governments will usually not do same for the governments of their home state. They do not protest to their governments to raise internally generated revenue. They do not take complaints to the governors to invest in public infrastructure like roads, water, hospitals that will discourage their citizens from emigrating to Lagos. As long as the government of Lagos is doing well, Nigeria is fine; it is not necessary for other states to strive for excellence.
This kind of mindset is antithetical to the progress of a country. And this partly is one of the reasons why proponents champion the need for federalism and devolution of powers. The proponents believe that is the only way state governors can be kept on their feet to deliver dividends of democracy to their citizens. Otherwise most of the 36 states will continue to be ‘civil servant’ states whose federal allocation only gets to pay staff salaries. This is why many government officials and civil servants do not bother to resume in their offices until end of the month when another round of revenue sharing will take place.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum is a platform for state governors to talk sense to themselves and stop passing the bulk to the Federal Government. If each of them put on their thinking caps, they would at least contribute 5% extra to the state purse which could be deployed to capital projects and stop the unnecessary rural-urban migration. Many citizens, especially youths want to stay back home to develop their country homes but when the entire landscape offers only disincentives, they end up in Lagos against their wish.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Lagos is a microcosm of the Nigerian society. It is the melting pot of the country. As it stands, remove Lagos and Nigeria could jolly well be an empty barrel politically, economically and otherwise.
The task is daunting. But Lagos must brace up. Homelessness is a disaster waiting to happen. May it not explode in all our faces!
