A Review of Residential Segregation and Its Consequences in Nigeria

Abstract

Residential segregation, the spatial separation of population sub-groups within a given geographical area, is a phenomenon which is prevalent in both developed and developing countries like Nigeria. This paper is aimed at reviewing residential segregation in Nigeria with specific reference to Northern Nigeria. The objectives of the paper are to review residential segregation from the pre-colonial to post-colonial era, and review its consequences in Nigeria. Prior to the colonial administration in Nigeria there existed no residential segregation based on race, ethnic or religious lines. The divide and rule policy of the British colonial administrators in Nigeria brought about residential segregation through the creation of ‘Sabon Gari’ settlements, which are occupied by the non-natives of Northern Nigeria. Residential segregation in Nigeria was reviewed in phases, that is, during the pre-colonial, colonial and the post-colonial era. In the final section of the paper the consequences of residential segregation in Nigeria, such as the socio-spatial division of households by income (high, medium and low density), inaccessibility of the poor to affordable housing, inadequate provision of infrastructure in the high density residential areas, and most importantly the cause of ethno-religious conflicts in across Nigeria, was discussed. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s1p376