The Unplanned Metropolis: An In-Depth Analysis of Urbanization and Its Impact On Residential Property Values in Nigerian Cities

• Author(s): Afolabi Adedoyin Daniel; Ibironke Aaron Elizabeth; Afolabi Isaiah Dolapo; Afolabi Adeola Matthew
• Paper ID: 1711477
• Page: 1327-1335
• Published Date: 28-10-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 4 October-2025

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the complex relationship between rapid urbanization and residential property values in Nigerian cities. It argues that the nation's demographic transition has created a paradoxical and spatially unequal housing market. While explosive population growth and a critical deficit in urban infrastructure and planning create a robust, high-value, and speculative market for a select elite, the same forces lead to a profound devaluation of property and the proliferation of slums in the majority of unplanned, peripheral areas. This dual outcome is a direct consequence of a fundamental imbalance between the pace of demographic change and the capacity of governance to manage it. The research demonstrates that urbanization-driven property appreciation is highly concentrated in well-serviced, secure, and often speculative enclaves. Conversely, the lack of commensurate infrastructure in most urban areas exacerbates a severe housing crisis, leading to widespread urban decay and a stagnant or depreciating informal property market. The report concludes that addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, including comprehensive policy reform, integrated urban planning, and targeted public-private partnerships focused on equitable development rather than purely profit-driven projects.

Keywords

Urbanization, Residential Properties, Cities

Citations

IRE Journals:
Afolabi Adedoyin Daniel, Ibironke Aaron Elizabeth, Afolabi Isaiah Dolapo, Afolabi Adeola Matthew "The Unplanned Metropolis: An In-Depth Analysis of Urbanization and Its Impact On Residential Property Values in Nigerian Cities" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 4 2025 Page 1327-1335

IEEE:
Afolabi Adedoyin Daniel, Ibironke Aaron Elizabeth, Afolabi Isaiah Dolapo, Afolabi Adeola Matthew "The Unplanned Metropolis: An In-Depth Analysis of Urbanization and Its Impact On Residential Property Values in Nigerian Cities" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(4)