Integrating Estate Management in Post-Flood Resettlement Planning: A Case Study of Ogun and Lagos States

Abstract

Flooding has emerged as one of the most destructive natural disasters globally, and its impacts are disproportionately severe in developing nations with weak institutional capacities. In Nigeria, flood disasters have increased in frequency and intensity due to climate variability, unregulated urbanization, and inadequate drainage systems. Lagos State, being a low-lying coastal city, and Ogun State, with its rapidly urbanizing riverine zones, are among the most vulnerable to recurrent flooding. Post-flood interventions in both states have largely focused on short-term relief rather than sustainable resettlement. As Olajide and Lawanson (2014) argue, “resettlement without a long-term management framework is tantamount to recycling vulnerability.” Estate management provides a unique lens for addressing these challenges, as it emphasizes structured land acquisition, tenure security, housing delivery, and efficient allocation of property resources. In disaster contexts, estate management can facilitate effective post-flood resettlement by ensuring that displaced persons are not merely relocated but resettled in secure, habitable, and economically viable environments. This paper therefore investigates the integration of estate management principles in post-flood resettlement planning in Ogun and Lagos States. It examines how estate management can bridge gaps in land governance, infrastructure provision, and stakeholder participation, which are often neglected in Nigeria’s disaster management responses. The study adopts a comparative case study approach, drawing on both primary and secondary data sources to analyze resettlement patterns and stakeholder perspectives. Preliminary findings suggest that Lagos State has attempted more structured interventions through housing schemes and formalized land allocation, yet affordability and inclusiveness remain problematic. Ogun State, on the other hand, faces challenges of fragmented land management and weaker institutional frameworks, despite having more land resources available for resettlement. These observations support the argument by UN-Habitat (2015) that sustainable resettlement requires not only physical relocation but also institutional reform, stakeholder collaboration, and livelihood restoration. This paper concludes that integrating estate management into post-flood resettlement strategies offers a pathway toward more sustainable urban and regional planning in Nigeria. By prioritizing tenure security, transparent land allocation, and participatory resettlement processes, Ogun and Lagos States can transform flood crises into opportunities for resilient urban development. As one displaced respondent in Lagos noted during preliminary interviews, “we do not just need new houses, we need a community where we can live without fear of being uprooted again.” This perspective underscores the centrality of estate management in ensuring that resettlement is not only a physical process but also a socio-economic and institutional transformation.