An Evaluation of the Inspection Panel’s Early Solutions Pilot in Lagos, Nigeria

In early 2014, the World Bank Inspection Panel added a new tool to its operating procedures known as the “Early Solutions approach.” Through this process, the Panel plays a passive problem-solving role, giving the World Bank and project affected people additional time to resolve grievances before the Panel decides whether or not to register the Request for Inspection. The Early Solutions approach was first piloted in a case in Lagos, Nigeria in which some 9000 people were forcibly evicted from the Badia East urban poor settlement. This report evaluates the fairness of the process used and based on empirical research, whether the outcomes were in the best interests of affected people and consistent with World Bank safeguard policies. The report makes recommendations for improving institutional accountability whilst ensuring the provision of effective remedies to people harmed by World Bank-financed projects.