Paper short abstract:

This paper examines land conflict, informality, and displacement in Osogbo, Nigeria, highlighting the socio-economic and psychological consequences of rapid urbanization, unregulated land markets, and development-induced displacement in peri-urban areas.

Paper long abstract:

Land conflict, informality, and displacement are critical challenges facing African cities, where rapid urbanization and growth often outpace formal land use systems. In Osogbo, Nigeria, the situation is dire as its rapidly growing peri-urban area areas experience high population growth, urban expansion and unregulated land markets making them sites of contestations over land rights, access to resources, and urban development. These conflicts have become more pronounced as the original settlers in the peri-urban areas faces eviction and displacement due to development projects, and private estates development which leads to significant socioeconomic and psychological consequences. To address these, the paper will explore the complex nexus between land conflict, informality, and displacement in African cities. It will also highlight how these phenomena are shaped by both crisis and development dynamics. It seeks to provide an understanding of experiences of land use disputes, and how its associated power dynamics are negotiated. It will also discuss how displacement impacts livelihood strategies and sense of belonging, the role of informality in shaping urban development processes, and how development agendas contribute to the displacement of vulnerable populations. These will highlight the dual role of land in African cities—as both a source of conflict and a critical resource for socioeconomic development.