Understanding urban justice in housing in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper provides a review of urban justice in housing in Abuja across the military regime and civilian administration in Nigeria, with the intent to unearth competing institutional and cultural justifications beyond the realm of formal governance. The conversation regarding urban justice, specifically in relation to housing rights, is a vital but insufficiently investigated subject within the African context. The emphasis in literature are focused on economic rather than social factors. The paper aims to enhance the existing conversation by conducting an in-depth review of literature on urban justice in housing within the city of Abuja, Nigeria. Despite its status as the capital city and its representation of Nigeria's ambitions for modernity and advancement, Abuja faces a range of complex issues pertaining to housing accessibility, affordability, and tenure stability. Therefore, the study investigates the evolution of urban development strategies and their impact on housing justice in Abuja. Consequently, the paper seeks to reveal the fundamental institutional dynamics and cultural rationalities that influence the availability of housing in the city. By unpacking the interconnected elements of politics, governance, and socio-economic dynamics, it provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities for advancing housing justice in African urban contexts.