Urbanization, Informal Settlements, and Social Welfare in Nigerian Cities: A Comparative Analysis

Urbanization in Nigeria has accelerated rapidly over the last few decades, leading to significant changes in urban settlement patterns and social welfare provision. The research employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data from national surveys with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews conducted in selected cities. Our analysis reveals that while urbanization has led to increased population density and economic opportunities, it has also exacerbated the challenges faced by informal settlements, particularly in terms of access to essential social services such as healthcare and education. The study concludes that effective policy interventions are needed to address the growing disparities between formal and informal areas within Nigerian cities. Recommendations include the development of targeted urban renewal programmes for informal settlements and improved data collection on urban poverty levels to inform better social welfare policies. Urbanization, Informal Settlements, Social Welfare, Nigeria