Kpako House - The Commercialization of Informal Housing in Lagos Metropolis

Abstract

More than 20 million residents of Lagos State live in slums and informal settlements. The growing number of slum dwellers is not only the result of both urbanization and population growth that ironically outpaces the construction of presumed affordable homes but also the failure of the government to implement the right to adequate housing, and the absence of it negatively affects urban equity and inclusion, health and safety, and livelihood opportunities. The evidence of this phenomenon is the unregulated proliferation of informal housing in the Lagos Metropolis called Kpako houses. Adopting an explanatory case study approach using in-depth interviews, and non-participant observation, this paper defines the term ‘kpako’, explains its origin, and investigates the phenomenon of informal housing in its real-life context, within a selected social unit. The Barb Wire community is situated on the Lekki coastline, within the Lafiaji community of Eti-Osa Local government area in Lagos state, which is home to thousands of informal workers and indigenes that contribute towards the economic development of Lagos, despite its undocumented nature. The paper investigates the housing typology and delivery system employed towards the commercialization of these houses. Evictions and demolitions do not address the cultural and material realities that drive the creation and expansion of informal settlements, and renewed policies and introduction of upskill workshops for improved self-build methods amongst others, are strategies recommended towards improving informal settlementts.