Introduction: Major Causes of House Demolition in Nigeria
Ever wondered why buildings disappear overnight? Well, the causes of house demolition in Nigeria often surprise many homeowners every year, and it’s not something you want to find out the hard way. In this post, we’ll break it down because understanding these causes will help you keep that bulldozer far from your front door.
1. Building on Government Land Without Approval
One of the major causes of house demolition in Nigeria is building on government-owned land without proper authorisation. Many people, either out of ignorance or desperation, purchase plots that haven’t been legally allocated for private use. These lands often belong to the federal, state, or local government and may already be marked for vital public projects like roads, schools, hospitals, or other infrastructure developments.
When a property owner builds on such land without conducting their due diligence, they unknowingly risk everything they’ve invested. Unfortunately, when the government eventually decides to reclaim the land for its intended purpose, structures on it are marked for demolition, sometimes with little or no compensation to the occupants.
2. Breaking Urban Planning Rules
This is another major contributor to the causes of house demolition in Nigeria. People break urban planning rules. Every town or city has a plan that says where different things should be built, like where houses should be, where shops should go, where factories can be, or where there should be farms or parks.
These rules help keep the city organised and safe. For example, you don’t want a noisy factory right next to your bedroom or a shop blocking a road. But sometimes, people build houses in places where they’re not supposed to, for example, putting a house in an area that’s meant only for shops or markets. When this happens, the government might come and pull down the house so the city plan stays the way it’s supposed to be.
That’s why people need to check if they’re allowed to build on the land they buy. Most trusted real estate agents will always advise investors to conduct due diligence to their satisfaction, despite the agency already having done theirs. If they don’t follow the rules, they could lose their house and all the money they spent building it.
3. Building on Flood-Prone Land
Another reason why some houses get demolished in Nigeria is that they are built on land that floods easily when it rains a lot. These places are called flood-prone areas. When there’s heavy rain, the water can rise high and enter houses. This can destroy people’s things, make them sick, or even put their lives in danger. For the betterment of people’s lives, this demolition of houses in Nigeria.
To stop this from happening, the government sometimes has to demolish houses that were built in these risky places. They do this to protect people and stop them from living in areas where they could get hurt when floods come.
That’s why it’s super important to check if the land you want to build on is safe. If you build on the wrong land, you might lose your house and have to start all over again.
4. Building on Unsafe Spots
Building in unsafe areas is one of the leading causes of house demolition in Nigeria. These houses are often located in places that are simply not safe for human habitation. For instance, some are built directly on gas pipelines or beneath high-tension electric wires. Others obstruct natural drainage channels meant for rainwater flow, creating serious safety and environmental risks.
These places are really dangerous. If a pipeline leaks or explodes, people could get hurt. If there’s a problem with the electric wires, it could cause a fire or electrocute someone. And if you block a drainage channel with a house, rainwater won’t flow properly, which can cause floods in the whole area.
To stop accidents from happening, the government sometimes has to demolish houses that were built on these unsafe spots. This helps keep everyone safe and prevents bigger problems later on.
So, it’s always important to make sure the land is safe before building anything on it!
5. Land for Public Purposes
A big part of the causes of house demolition in Nigeria is demolition for public purposes. This one sounds like grammar, but it’s really simple. Imagine the government wants to expand a road that passes through your house. Or maybe they want to build a new hospital, school, or market on your land. In this case, they have the power to demolish your building for the greater good.
This does not mean that you purchased the wrong property or built on a government-reserved area. What it means is that you are well on track, there is nothing wrong with the property you bought, and the government just deemed it fit to make use of the area where your land is situated for public purposes. Since the government is encroaching on your property, you will have the right to government compensation. Now this compensation is as long as it is not government acquisition land.
- Your Right to Government Compensation
Here’s the sweet side: if your house was built legally in a safe, approved place, with a good title, the government must compensate you. This is your right under the Nigerian Land Use Act. So, if you have all your papers, approvals, and receipts, and your building plan is approved, you’ll get fair compensation if your land is taken for public use. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the correct procedures from the outset. Many people skip paperwork and think they’ve saved money, but when government demolition teams arrive, they lose everything without any payback. So, when buying land, always check that it’s not in a planned public development zone. And keep all your documents safe. If the bulldozer ever comes for the right reasons, at least you’ll get your money back or maybe even more.
CONCLUSION: Major Causes of House Demolition in Nigeria
The causes of house demolition in Nigeria usually happen because people build in the wrong place, don’t get permission, or the government needs the land for something that benefits everyone. If you build legally with the right papers, you stay safe, and if your house must go for a public purpose, you’ll get money back.
Ready to protect your money? Secure your future with Brit Properties. Let us handle the paperwork, the verification, and the approvals so you can sleep easy and watch your investment grow.
