Study of the Challenges of Housing Provision for Artisans in Yola, Adamawa State

This study examines the housing challenges faced by artisans in Yola, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, a group that occupies a critical economic role in the construction and service sectors but whose housing needs are rarely addressed by formal housing policy or market provision. Artisans including carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, and tailors constitute a significant proportion of Yola's working population and experience distinctive housing constraints related to irregular income, proximity-to-work requirements, and the need to use residential space for tools and small workshop activities. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, conducting in-depth interviews with 60 artisans across six trade categories, supplemented by interviews with 15 housing providers including landlords, microfinance institutions, and the Adamawa State Housing Corporation. Findings reveal that artisans universally rent accommodation, predominantly in compound housing or converted structures in areas like Doubeli and Karewa, where proximity to commercial zones and informal workshop spaces is possible. Rental advances of one to two years present a recurring access barrier. Irregularity of income makes monthly rent commitments difficult to honour, creating frequent tenancy conflicts and forced relocation. Tool and material storage requirements mean artisans need more space than equivalent low-income households but cannot generally afford larger units. Conventional housing programmes explicitly or implicitly exclude artisans as target beneficiaries. Recommendations include a dedicated artisan housing programme that integrates small workshop space with residential units and accepts flexible payment schedules aligned with trade income patterns. Keywords: artisan housing, housing challenges, Yola, informal sector, affordable housing.