Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Urban planning processes in Lagos: The ways forward

Dossier

In a series of discussion papers, partners of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Lagos program give thought provoking suggestions for an inclusive and climate resilient city building to the new Lagos State government which will take over on May 29, 2019. The ideas are based on the findings of our research “Urban Planning Processes in Lagos”; many of them could be implemented within a short time span requiring in general low funding but transparent and efficient cooperation between different stakeholders; above all it will require political will... Read more >>>

Perspectives #03/2018: Through the Looking Glass: Images of African Futures

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Against a background of political and cultural disruption, Perspectives approached writers to inquire, speculatively or not so speculatively, into an African future. The result is an eclectic mix of contributions and conversations across the arts, culture, philosophy and politics. They offer glimpses of African futures – fantastic, idealistic, or sober, but always self-confident – that place the continent at the centre of a world to come.

Video

How Solar Energy can Improve Public Health in Nigeria.

Nigerians could enjoy better health care for less money if the already existing budget were invested in solar power as this animated video explains. The video is based on a study supported by the Nigerian office of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung. Click here to read the study in details

Sustainable Nigeria

Africa’s Challenge with Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) – Can Nigeria take the Lead?

Nigeria at the moment does not yet have a high adoption of renewable energy, most of its residents still rely on diesel and petrol powered generators to compliment the unstable energy they get from the national grid. But there is a growing demand for standalone solar solutions as the prices of solar panels continue to fall globally. As welcome as this development is , more toxic lead acid batteries - a major component to stand alone solar solutions – will end up at dumpsites across the nation after their use. In this article, Kelechi Ekwegh analyses this looming threat and investigates how Nigeria is currently handling this toxic waste from lead acid batteries

           

The Geoengineering Fallacy

Geoengineering technologies are not yet deployable globally, but support for them is advancing fast, thanks to backing by powerful advocates eager to start experiments. But no silver bullet for climate change exists, and we must not abandon proven methods for the sake of a promise that one will be found

By Barbara Unmüssig
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Democracy At Work

Cross River superhighway pushes forth despite pushback

The government of Cross River state has resumed clearing precious rainforest land as part of the construction of the superhighway. While some community members are losing their forest and properties, others are advocating for their right to their land. Individuals and members of civil society stand in solidarity with communities in the face of the continued works.

By Rafeeat Aliyu

Nameless

Is it possible to conceive, write, edit and publish a book in 5 days? The Heinrich Boll Stiftung Nigeria office brought together some big names in Nigeria to write about the country they know and love so well. They ended up with a book called Nameless. What is Nameless you ask?

“Nameless is a city. A country within borders. Abound less space of ideas. A cosmos with realities, stark and painful, quiet and loud. A space crippled by fears. Nameless is populated. West African. It is in the minds of its people, black and proud. Sometimes Nameless is human. An idea. Sometimes it is in the past. Often times it is the now. Other times, it is the future”.

Singing Against Violence

Apart from being rich, famous, widely successful and being recipients of numerous national and international awards, what could Omawumi, M.I Abaga, Waje and ElDee have in common?

Well, we found out when the four of them came together to sing on one album and lend their voices to the cause of ending violence against women.

More articles on Democracy At Work

Marshall Plan with Nigeria?

In 2017, Africa has gained unusual prominence – within and beyond the framework of the German G20 presidency. Three German initiatives highlight relationships with the African continent: the Ministry of Cooperation and Development’s “Marshall Plan With Africa”, the Ministry of Finance’s “Compact with Africa” and the Ministry for Economic Affair’s initiative “Pro! Africa”. 

Through its initiatives, Germany promises to support Africa in the development of its growth and development potential and thus curtail migration. But how many voices from Nigeria are being heard in the debate in Germany? This web dossier wants to highlight arguments for the “Development That Nigeria Wants” and transport these perspectives into the Africa debate currently taking place in Germany.

A Marshall Plan For Nigeria

Megacity Lagos

Is the Lagos Tech Sector a Bubble?

Innovation, creativity and financial power – Lagos has all the necessary ingredients for a thriving startup sector. Hackathons, boot camps and startup weeks regularly attract local and international participants. Ayodeji Rotinwa, a freelance journalist, asks himself whether these are signs for a healthy growth potential.

By Ayodeji Rotinwa

Kelechi's Quest (A Docu-Drama Series)

Kelechi Udegbe, a budding Nigerian actor in the city of Lagos, features in this 6 part documentary drama series where he weighs his option of finding a suitable accommodation within his budget, thereby sparking a debate about new ways of accessing affordable accommodation and about the equitability of housing policies of Lagos State.

Public spaces and democracy in African city making

In the current discourse of possibilities for ‘African Urban Futures’, Lagos city is amongst the most highly contested.  The preferred imagined future of Lagos is one which fronts a global, modern city, envisioned and realized through developments such as ‘Eko Atlantic’[1]. However, there are implacable realities which exist alongside grand ‘Africa Rising’ narratives, and instead necessitate the provision of basic services and infrastructure.

By Phumelele Mkhize
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International Politics

Climate change and human rights – Can the courts fix it?

Overview

Climate litigation is on the rise - in Germany, in Europe and worldwide. What role can courts play in the fight against climate change? This article shows the link between human rights and climate change, its implications, and introduces some of the cases.

Editorial: Behind the Rio Games

Barbara Unmüßig correlates the Olympics with Brazil’s institutional, political and economic crisis. Did the organizers learn a lesson from the World Cup in 2014?

By Barbara Unmüssig
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Publications

Urban Planning Processes In Lagos

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The revised, second edition (2018) of “Urban Planning Processes in Lagos” is the result of a yearlong research process that examines the relation between urban policies, urban interventions, the role of governance, and the different actors in Lagos. The publication shows that Lagos urban policies do not often benefit those at the centre of economic development: the Lagosians – of which a significant number lives below the poverty line.

Open City Lagos (2018 edition): Resilience

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The OCL 2018 publication is a collation of the thoughts and ideas of researchers, urbanists and creatives who were invited to think critically about urban resilience. The publication explores resilience in its diverse forms, mechanisms and outputs. It also highlights important factors that influence urban resilience considerations and uses a people-centred lens to zoom in on the complexities and implications of embracing resilient frameworks in city planning.

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