Slum Conditions in Urban Nigeria: A Case of Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban areas the world over has witnessed an unprecedented growth and transformations since the turn of the twentieth Century. The rate of rural-urban migration has triggered high demand for housing, jobs, and pressure on the existing urban infrastructure. Slums began to spring up in the urban areas due to the desire for urban lifestyle. The study looked at the physical conditions of some selected slums in Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State with a view to demonstrating the hardships being faced in these neighbourhoods so as to recommend a planning solution in the long run. Three slums were selected in the study area, namely: Luggere, Demsawo and NEPA/Alkalawa slums. In Luggere, ten (10) houses were selected for study on the income level of the residents and convenience facilities in their dwellings. It was found to be inadequate. In NEPA/Alkalawa area, ten (10) access/roads were assessed for proper circulation around the neighbourhood. It was found to be inefficient and sometimes impossible for vehicular circulation to occur. In Demsawo area, the drainage and the sanitary conditions of selected ten (10) streets were carried out. The results show that most of the streets do not have drainages and even the existing ones are blocked due to indiscriminate refuse/waste disposal in the area. The results are presented on tables and photographs are shown as plates. In view of all these myriad of challenges, recommendations for slum upgrading is proffered as a solution for the inhabitable conditions in the slums in Jimeta-Yola particularly and Nigeria in general.

Keywords: Slum, Urban, Waste/Refuse, Sanitary condition, Access, Households,   Neighbourhood