Urban Planning Policy and the Growth of Informal Settlements in Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT Nigeria

This study examines how urban planning policy failures have contributed to the rapid growth of informal settlements in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Despite being a purpose-built capital city with a master plan, Abuja has seen an exponential rise in unplanned settlements as rural-urban migration outpaces formal housing provision. Drawing on urban governance theory and recent literature on informal urbanisation in Nigerian cities from 2020 to 2024, the study adopts a descriptive research design. A total of 250 respondents including residents of informal settlements, urban planners, Abuja Municipal Area Council officials, and civil society representatives are surveyed using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics are used to present the data. The study expects to find that exclusionary land allocation processes, high real estate costs, inadequate low-income housing policy, and poor enforcement of zoning regulations are the principal drivers of informal settlement growth. The social consequences of periodic demolitions, displacement, and the denial of basic services to informal residents are also critically examined. Recommendations will focus on inclusive urban planning reforms, affordable housing development policies, and participatory planning processes that accommodate the needs of low-income urban dwellers. Keywords: urban planning, informal settlements, Abuja, housing policy, urbanisation