Study of Informal Housing Settlements and Their Building Characteristics in Yola, Adamawa State

Informal housing settlements are a significant and growing component of the urban fabric in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State in North East Nigeria, yet their physical building characteristics and infrastructure conditions have not been systematically documented. This study characterised the physical building attributes and service infrastructure of informal housing settlements in three communities in Yola: Doubeli, Luggere, and Wuro Chechey. A comprehensive building survey was conducted on 120 structures, documenting construction materials, structural type, floor area, building condition, and service provision (water, electricity, and sanitation). A household survey (n = 120) collected data on housing tenure and affordability. Results showed that 74% of structures used mud brick or compressed earth block walls, and 81% had corrugated iron sheet roofing. Mean floor area per household was 38.2 m2, significantly below the national standard of 60 m2 for urban dwellings. Electricity connection was available in 63% of households, but pipe-borne water supply reached only 9%. Only 24% of households had toilets within the building, with the majority sharing external pit latrines. Building condition was rated as poor or very poor in 48% of structures, with active roof leakage in 39%. The study concludes that informal settlements in Yola require urgent infrastructure upgrading and building improvement support, and recommends a targeted in-situ upgrading programme under the Adamawa State Urban Development Board.

Keywords: informal housing, settlement characteristics, building survey, Yola, Adamawa State