Colonial Land Policies in Lagos and their Implications for Gender Equality

Abstract

This study historicizes the colonial land policies enacted by the British in Lagos and examines their implications for gender equality, focusing specifically on women’s access to land. The research highlights significant shifts in legal frameworks and property rights by tracing the evolution of land ownership from precolonial to colonial times. The imposition of British land laws often disrupted traditional practices, marginalizing women who previously held substantial land rights under customary law. Through detailed case studies and historical analysis, the study explores the mechanisms by which women navigated and resisted these colonial legal constraints. Additionally, it investigates the broader socioeconomic impacts of restricted land rights on women’s economic empowerment and social standing. The findings reveal that colonial land policies entrenched gender inequalities, significantly altering the landscape of property ownership and economic opportunities for women in Lagos. The study concludes by reflecting on the enduring legacy of these policies in contemporary land-rights issues and gender dynamics in Lagos.