ASSESSMENT OF CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF URBAN PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

Nigeria’s urban environment is characterised by settlements formed through unplanned, rapid urban expansion despite the attempts of governments and agencies to promote planned developments since its independence. This has resulted in multiple urban challenges such as rise of informal settlements, urban poverty, informality, significant levels of inequality among different socio-economic groups, limited land access. The study examined the contemporary challenges of urban planning and administration in Nigeria. The study seeks to answer the following research questions. Narrative-textual case study (NTCS) research design method was used. The study relied on quantitative data mainly sourced from urban planning related journals and internet. Findings from the study shows that, the challenges facing Nigeria, in terms of population growth, spatially expanding cities and provision of attendant infrastructure, against a backdrop of a changing climate and increased vulnerability are attributed to poor urban planning and administration. It revealed that, Contemporary challenges of urban planning and administration in Nigeria, includes; poor urban planning and administrative system, poor urban legal framework for land acquisition and compensations, poor urban bureaucratic land rights processes and procedures among other thing. The study revealed that, historical factors that underpin urban planning and administration in Nigeria are traced to Pre-colonial factor, Colonial Factor and post-colonial factor. The paper therefore recommends that, urban centres can achieve inclusive development and maximise economic productivity and development if urban policy makers can review the historical factors which underpin urban planning and administration in Nigeria from the Pre-colonial factor, Colonial Factor and post-colonial factor in order to address existing deficits. Urban Policy makers should address the contemporary challenges of urban planning and administration in Nigeria. The consideration should be given to urban governance and implementation arrangements; sustainability; engagement and participation of local communities.