In Nigeria, Almost half of the population now live in urban areas. By 2050, that figure will have risen to – two-thirds of all Nigerians. Population living in slums (% of urban population) in Nigeria was reported at 50.2 % in 2014, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators.
Extreme poverty is often concentrated in urban spaces, and national and city governments struggle to accommodate the rising population in these areas. Poverty is endemic and distributed unevenly among the six geo-political zones. Regional poverty rates are highest for the North West- 80.9%, North East – 76.8%, North Central – 45.7%, South East – 27.36%, South South – 25.2%, South West – 19.3%. Poverty is deepest in the North West- 80.9%, North East – 76.8%, North Central – 45.7%.
46% of Nigerians lived below the national poverty line (Only 28% in urban areas, and near 70% in the rural).
Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces. The rapid growth of cities in the developing world, coupled with increasing rural to urban migration, has led to a boom in mega-cities. In 2018, there are 7 mega-cities with 1 million inhabitants or more.
Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. It also involves investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way that is both participatory and inclusive
Facts and figures
48.8%
In Nigeria, Almost half of the population now live in urban areas.
3%
Cities occupy just 3 percent of the Earth’s land but account for 60 to 80 percent of energy consumption and 75 percent of carbon emissions.
50.2%
Currently over 48 million people in Nigeria live in slums, and the number is rising.
