Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Provision in Secondary Cities of Ebonyi State

Nigeria's secondary cities are growing rapidly but often receive inadequate planning attention relative to the national capital and state capitals, leading to infrastructure deficits, unmanaged sprawl, and missed economic development opportunities in regional urban centres. This study examines spatial planning and infrastructure provision challenges in three secondary cities of Ebonyi State: Afikpo, Onueke, and Ezza Ohu, situated within Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone. Town planning documents, infrastructure inventory data, and local government budgetary records were reviewed to establish the current planning and investment baseline for each city. Field surveys assessed the condition and coverage of road networks, water supply systems, drainage infrastructure, and public open spaces using structured condition rating protocols. Household questionnaire surveys with 360 residents across the three cities measured satisfaction with infrastructure services, willingness to pay for improvements, and participation in urban governance processes. Key informant interviews with Ebonyi State Urban Development Board officers and local government engineering departments contextualised findings within the state planning system. Results confirm that all three secondary cities lack current local area plans, with existing plans dating from the 1990s and bearing no meaningful relationship to current settlement patterns. Road surfacing in residential neighbourhoods averages below 40 percent in all three cities, and pipe-borne water supply reaches fewer than 20 percent of households. The study recommends preparation of current local area plans, secondary city infrastructure levies, and decentralised planning capacity strengthening in Ebonyi State. Keywords: secondary cities, spatial planning, Ebonyi State, infrastructure, South East Nigeria.