What does it mean to build a city that is orderly, safe and functional without pushing its most vulnerable residents further out of sight?
CISD’s latest editorial, Urban Order or Urban Exclusion?, examines Lagos’ approach to street begging, open defecation and the demolition of informal settlements, asking whether enforcement is addressing the underlying problems or simply relocating the people affected by them.
The report looks closely at three cases: the treatment of street-connected people, the enforcement of sanitation laws where public toilet access remains limited, and the displacement of residents in Makoko. It also examines Lagos’ 2025 budget and implementation figures to explore what public spending reveals about the balance between enforcement, social protection and provision.
The editorial proposes alternatives centred on welfare pathways, infrastructure before enforcement, slum upgrading rather than clearance, and more transparent social protection spending. Urban Order or Urban Exclusion
Read the Full Report
Go beyond the headline and explore the evidence, case studies, budget analysis and recommendations in the full editorial.
The Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD) is a non-profit research and advocacy organisation working to advance inclusive governance, gender and social equity, civic technology, and sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Through rigorous research, coalition-building, and public-interest storytelling, CISD amplifies the voices of marginalised communities and holds power accountable.
Learn more at cisdnigeria.org or follow us on social media.
How to cite this article
CISD. (2026, October 9). Urban Order or Urban Exclusion?. CISD Insights. Centre for Inclusive Social Development. Retrieved from https://cisdnigeria.org/article/urban-order-or-urban-exclusion/.
