Population, urbanization and the challenges of housing in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper discusses the intertwined relationship between population, urbanization and housing with special focus on Nigeria. In the era of spirited campaigns towards birth control, Nigeria has maintained the lead in population expansion. This has prompted series of social crises among which is the deteriorating housing conditions especially in urban centres. The paper discusses the process of urbanization as well as the nature and dimensions of housing problems in the country’s urban space. Data for the study was got from secondary sources. The study is founded on a strategic combination of two theoretical models on population-Malthusian and optimum population theories. It was found that the rapidly expanding population in Nigeria is provoking rapid urbanization with worsening housing conditions. The paper thus recommends among other things, the need to depopulate urban areas by improving rural infrastructure and empowering rural communities to arrest the wave of rural-urban migration.