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After Crisis
context analysis
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CONTEXT ANALYSIS
For the proposal of possible architectural solutions, taking into
account the North-East Nigeria context, below is an analytical
account of the main aspects that the designers should be
aware of.
With over 220 million people1, Nigeria is the most populous
country in Africa. In the last 20 years it gained the largest
nominal GDP in Africa2, but despite its potentialities there
remain challenges at the policy level, including urban planning.
As of 2023, 54.3 per cent of the population is living in the
main urban centres (with a forecasted annual rate of change
of 3.92 per cent for 2020-2025)3, meaning that almost half
of the population is spread among suburban and rural areas.
With its 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages4, Nigeria has
been divided into six geopolitical zones based on cultural and
historical similarities. English is the country’s official language.
1. NORTH-EAST NIGERIA AND IOM’S EXPERIENCE; Since
2015, the North-East of Nigeria has witnessed an increase in
violence perpetrated by Non-State Armed Groups, causing a
major humanitarian crisis. The intensification of attacks has
resulted in prolonged insecurity, exacerbating the plight of
vulnerable civilians and triggering forced displacement, as
well as violation of human rights. As of 2023, over 2 million
people were still displaced, largely living in inadequate
shelter conditions and/or underserved settlements, while
nearly 1.5 million people who have returned to their areas
of origin following displacement lack essential services and
livelihoods5. Displacement and the destruction of homes and
infrastructure have caused significant shelter needs, with
more than 3.2 million people requiring shelter assistance in
2023. Most of the displaced populations are in Borno State,
where nearly half live in formal and informal camps, often in
congested conditions because of the continuous influx of new
arrivals and returnees. Access to land to construct shelters
for vulnerable people living in host communities is also a
concern. In most of the highly congested Local Government
Areas in Borno State, the most suitable land is often outside
of established security perimeters. Adamawa state has
experienced pockets of relative stability in areas initially
affected by the insurgency. IOM in line with the relevant state
governments’ plans has started pilot projects to construct
durable houses using adobe (locally moulded mudbricks)
for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)s and Returnees in
Borno and Adamawa State. The construction projects aim to
provide climate protection, immediate safety and security,
privacy and dignity, facilitate access to additional services,
as well as integration/reintegration of the IDPs/Returnees into
the community through holistic, multi-sectoral approaches.
Shelter and settlements assistance also intends to stimulate
economic activity through the injection of resources into the
local community, including providing opportunities for skills
enhancement and livelihoods. Other agencies have also
commenced implementation of similar projects in the North-
East. IOM and other partners identified several challenges
regarding the provision of durable shelter and housing
solutions. These include issues related to durability and local
materials optimization; the lack of a detailed analysis of local
issues and techniques; a primary focus of sheltering solutions
on addressing immediate needs with limited consideration for
long-term solutions; challenges of the basic housing modules
to face seasons variability and weather conditions, against
a background of short funding cycles; limited opportunities
for incremental housing approaches; and the need to make
housing solutions more inclusive to cater for the diverse needs
of people living with different kinds of disabilities, just to name
a few.
2. HOUSING SHORTAGE; Nigeria has an acute housing
deficit estimated to be in the region of 23 million6, which
would require NGN 6 trillion (USD 13 billion) to overcome. To
tackle the accommodation shortage, the nation would need
to build one million housing units per year in the next 20
years. Currently, both government and private sector can only
produce 75,000 housing units annually. The housing challenge
in Nigeria is presented in two primary forms: 1) the insufficient
housing supply to meet the needs of a rapidly growing
population and 2) the large proportion of inadequate existing
stock. About 75 per cent of the 42 million housing units in
Nigeria are substandard.7 It is paramount that the government
and private sector shift the focus on providing more affordable
housing for Nigerians8. The government declared to deliver
up to 50,000 homes in 2023 across 11 states and called
for continued synergy between the public and private
sectors in order to effectively deliver on the government’s
housing mandate9. There is also a country-wide deficit in
complementary infrastructures such as reliable electricity,
clean water supply, sanitation services and efficient transport
systems,10 further hindering people’s ability to access adequate
housing in functioning settlements. To address the housing
deficit, the Federal Mortgage Bank established a programme
which includes various forms of financial support to facilitate
the construction, renovation or acquisition of housing.11
1 Source: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/population-by-country.htm
2 Source: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April
3 Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/#geography
4 Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/#people-and-society
5 Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/nigeria-humanitarian-response-plan-2023-february-2023
6 Source: https://africahousingshow.com/about-us/
7 Source African International Housing Show 2022: https://housingcable.ng/2022/08/03/
how-to-effectively-deliver-affordable-housing-in-nigeria-experts/
8 Source African International Housing Show 2019: https://dailytrust.com/provide-affordable-hou-
sing-for-nigerians-afdb/
9 Ibid.
10 Source African International Housing Show 2022: https://tribuneonlineng.com/nigeria-expert-i-
dentifies-limitations-of-housing-finance/
11 Source: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria | Products & Services (fmbn.gov.ng)
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3. GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA;
The North-East of Nigeria — which is the focus of this
competition — has a population of about 25 million people
and it is the largest geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, comprising six states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno,
Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.
Source: https://maps-nigeria.com/nigeria-map-geopolitical-zones
The region has been affected by the Boko Haram
insurgency since 200912, leading to widespread
displacement of people and significant security challenges.
The conflict has also led to food insecurity and limited
access to basic services such as healthcare, education,
and water supply. The region is also frequently affected by
natural disasters such as floods and droughts. The economy
of the region is largely agricultural, with crops such as
maize, millet, and sorghum being grown in large quantities.
Livestock farming, especially cattle rearing, is also common
in the region. The largest ethnic groups in the region The whole area is characterised by winds with average
are the Kanuri, Fulani, and Hausa13. The Kanuri, who are speeds ranging from 14 to 25 km/h.16 Worthy of note,
predominantly Muslim, are the largest ethnic group in Borno whenever the wind speed is higher than 20 km/h, light-
State and are known for their fishing and farming skills. The weight roofing systems may be affected and require tie-
Fulani people are known for their nomadic lifestyle and are down connections to walls to avoid uplift and damages.
predominantly involved in livestock farming. The Hausa
people are largely involved in trade and are known for their
intricate weaving and dyeing of textiles. Christianity and
Islam are the predominant religions in the region, with Islam
being the most widely practiced14.
4. CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT; The temperature
in North-East Nigeria has an annual average of 36 °C
degrees15, so the climate is warm all year long. There are
two main seasons: wet from May to September/October and
dry from October/November to May, with some variability
over the years. More specifically, the season can be divided
as follows:
1. May-June: somewhat wet and hot
2. July-September: very wet and cooler
3. October-November: somewhat dry and hot
4. December-January: very dry and cooler (due to the Between November and March (with the peak months being
harmattan) December and January) the region is characterized by a
5. February-April: dry and hot dry and dusty wind (the Harmattan) that originates from the
Sahara Desert in North Africa and blows in a south-westerly
Average Temperature and Rainfall in North-East Nigeria direction towards West Africa.17 It carries with it a significant
45 7 amount of dust and sand particles and relative humidity can
40
6
often fall below 30 per cent, leading to dryness and aridity.
The vast amount of dust and fine sand particles it carries
35
30
5
are suspended in the air, creating a hazy atmosphere and
4 reducing visibility.
25
20 3
15
2
10
1
5
12 Source: https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/05/03/stabilizing-northeast-nige-
0 0 ria-after-boko-haram-pub-79042
13 Source: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40341634?origin=JSTOR-pdf
14 Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13644-021-00450-5?platform=hootsuite
15 Source: https://www.worlddata.info/africa/nigeria/climate-north-east.php#:~:text=The%20clima-
te%20is%20very%20warm,high%20from%20June%20to%20September.
rainfall mm/day daytime Temp (°C) nightime Temp (°C)
16 Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227421412_Wind_resources_in_North-East_
Source: worlddata.info (accessed on 1/07/2023) geopolitical_zone_Nigeria_An_assessment_of_the_monthly_and_seasonal_characteristics
17 Source: https://africatimes.com/2018/12/06/here-come-the-harmattan-winds-of-west-africa/
3
 The arrival of the Harmattan wind leads to a drop in
temperatures, providing some relief from the hot conditions
that prevail during other seasons. Daytime temperatures
can range from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. The dry
conditions of the Harmattan wind can have a negative
impact on vegetation, causing plants to dry out and become
more susceptible to damage, and can lead to a reduction in
agricultural productivity and affect the overall ecosystem.
The dusty conditions during the Harmattan season can
have severe health implications considering inhalation of
dust particles can irritate the respiratory system, leading
to respiratory discomfort, coughing, exacerbation of
respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases18.
Possible coping strategies include sealing of openings and
gaps around doors and windows using various materials;
closing windows and doors (which in turn affects ventilation
and adequate airflow); and hanging wet sheets or curtains
near openings to capture dust particles.
The environment in the North-East is characterized by the
tropical western Sudanese savanna ecosystem, with open,
bare forests being the main vegetation types.
18 Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004994/
19 Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/water-life-value-water-north-east-nigeria
20 Source: https://www.usaid.gov/nigeria/water#:~:text=Access%20to%20clean%20water%20an-
d,drinking%20water%20and%20adequate%20sanitation.
The far north of Nigeria is characterized by the arid semi-
desert Sahelian savanna, close to the Sahara Desert. Here
we see isolated patches of vegetation that dry out mainly in
October, waiting for the next rainy season.
In this scenario, considering the incoherent yearly precipitation
distribution and environmental issues related to global
warming, shelter and housing solutions in rural areas have to
face very hot climates for two thirds of the year and risk of
flooding, windstorm and heavy rainfall for one third of the year.
In addition to climate issues, the rough alternation of rainy
and dry season causes more problems for local populations
who need to deal with a lack of water in the dry season, and
with contaminated water during the wetter months19. It is
calculated that in only 30 per cent of people in the North-
East have access to safe drinking water and adequate
sanitation20.
Constant humidity during the rainy season creates the
perfect environment for termite infestations. These insect
colonies proliferate in cellulose, attacking and damaging
all wooden structures and all elements made from natural
components (e.g., mudbricks made from soil and grass).
In terms of topography, while the region has plateaus and
mountains, the availability of areas suitable for settlement
may be limited. Most human settlements are established
on lower-lying lands with little to no slope (range 0-2%) or
outskirts of urban areas, which are more prone to flooding
and environmental risks.
Furthermore, floods combined with persistent civil conflict
and high food prices intensify food insecurity. In this
scenario, major infectious diseases have a very high degree
of risk. Malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever are the
main vector-borne diseases, while bacterial and protozoal
diarrhoea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever are the main
food- or water-borne diseases. In this sense, the design of
domestic spaces is a crucial element in reducing exposure
to these health hazards, considering sufficient living areas
for each individual, natural ventilation, and anti-dampness
solutions among other things. Source: globalsolaratlas.info
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5. BACKGROUND ON KEY PLANNING PARAMETERS;
a. The average household size across Borno, Adamawa and
Yobe (BAY) States is 7.45 (this represents the average
number of individuals in a family). 21
b. Based on the 2006 Nigerian Census, prior to the crisis,
families in those states had an estimated average of
3.2 rooms in their dwellings, based on the fact that the
majority of families had 1, 2 or 3 sleeping rooms (23%,
42% and 24% respectively).22 During the crisis, for
displaced families living outside of camps, based on IOM
shelter registration data, this average is even lower at 2
rooms per family.23 A breakdown of the number of rooms
per family based on the census is shown in the figure
below.
c. Based on the average growth rate of 3 per cent, it should
be noted that in 10 years, a settlement should be able to
accommodate about 30 per cent more people than the
baseline.24
d. Indoor congestion and covered living space. The
indicator used to measure the indoor congestion level in
dwellings is the covered living space per person (sqm/
pp). That is, how many square meters of space are
available per person inside a dwelling.
• There is no available data regarding the pre-crisis
congestion levels in dwellings in North-East Nigeria.
However, using the figures related to the number of
rooms reported above and estimating an average size
of 13sqm for the rooms in the context, this leads to an
average of about 42sqm per family or about 5.6 sqm/pp.
• In camp settings following the crisis, displaced families
live in highly congested situations, often sharing small
shelters among family members or even between
different families. Humanitarian standards recommend
that at least 3.5sqm of covered living space per person
be provided in emergencies. Most shelter agencies
in North-East Nigeria do provide this minimum when
constructing new shelters (on average, 4sqm per person
are provided in new shelter interventions, based on IOM
shelter registration data). However, the great majority of
IDPs who live in camps, live in makeshift shelters built
with collected materials that rarely provide up to 3sqm
per person.
• Outside of camps, IDPs who find shelter in the host
communities live in a wide range of arrangements, and
it is very complex to estimate the congestion levels
accurately for this group. However, data collected
independently by both IOM and Mercy Corps indicates
that most displaced families live in one or two rooms
and that the indoor congestion levels outside camps
for IDPs are equal or greater than those in camps, with
an average of 3.2sqm per person, and over a third of
families living with about 2.3sqm per person.
e. Plot sizes. Plot sizes vary greatly for families with
access to land in rural areas in pre-crisis situations. For
new developments, in the Nigerian context plot sizes
are categorized using multiples of 50ft (or about 15m).
The standard plot size for a single house is 50x100ft
(15x30m – 450sqm). For low-income families, plots for
one family can be as little as 25x25ft (about 7.5x7.5m
– 56sqm) or 25x50ft (7.5x15m – 112sqm) or up to
50x50ft (15x15m – 225sqm), with the latter being the
most frequent. Some of the examples shown in the
case studies also provide a reference point. These
examples show that in their durable shelter and housing
projects for low-income families affected by the crisis,
humanitarian and development partners have adopted
various plot sizes ranging from 140sqm to 300sqm per
family, often adopting the same size for all and only in
rare cases adapting the plot size to the family sizes.
f. Different types of families. As captured in the program,
beyond the core housing module for the standard family
type, this competition focuses both on the possible
evolutions of the standard family type over time, and
the design of alternative core housing modules for other
family types.
Firstly, participants should reflect on the different
possible evolutions of family type A, which can grow
in size, where new wives can join the household, and
children grow and require additional spaces. It is worthy
of note that traditionally in rural settings in North-East
Nigeria, the head of household would usually set up
the family plot in anticipation of family expansion. Male
children of marriageable age would usually be allocated
plots within the father’s house as subdivisions of the
original plot, to be received as inheritance to allow them
to build their houses when they prepare to get married.
This usually continues through generations until space
runs out or families move out to other plots or elsewhere
in the country. Women, on the other hand, customarily
do not inherit land or immovable property.
21 As of 2018, source: https://globaldatalab.org/
22 These figures are estimated using the census data which is reported based on number of rooms
dedicated to sleeping, and with the assumption that on average at least an additional room is used
for multiple functions.
23 Data collected for families targeted for shelter assistance outside of camps, in Borno and Ada-
mawa states between 2020-2023.
24 Population growth rate is the average annual increase in the population of each state between
2006 and 2021. The estimates for 2021 are based on projections and may not be entirely accurate.
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 This same logic may not be easily or literally translated
in the current environment with scarcity of land and
resources, but should be taken into account when
designing future family expansion scenarios.
Secondly, participants are required to think about the
dynamics and spatial requirements for different family
types, such as extended, multi-generational families and/
or polygamous families with two or more wives, who are
already in such situation(s) at the time of the allocation
of the houses, rather than as a future scenario. This is
because it is recommended that housing projects are
inclusive and allow flexibility for the different types of
families that these may target.
6. HABITS AND EVERYDAY LIFE ACTIVITIES Here
are some common habits and everyday life activities of
people in North-East Nigeria, focusing primarily on pre-
crisis situations in rural or peri-urban areas for low-income
families, and organized by the domestic areas of their
homes, which however can sometimes overlap.
a. daily activities: There are a variety of daily tasks that
residents may engage in within the living environment.
This should not necessarily be perceived as a covered
or indoor area because many daily activities happen
outdoors within the plot, and generally most of the
daytime is spent outdoors. restricted for men (non family members). This is due to
• Cleaning: keeping the living area clean and tidy is the cultural and religious norms (such as the Islamic ‘purdah’
responsibility of women and girls, sometimes supported and more broadly the customary importance of the
by boys. sense of privacy in the context, regardless of religion).
• Socializing: women and girls mostly socialize in the
living area. Adult males (non family members/guests) It is important to note that the specific daily duties and
socialise in the ‘zaure’, a small hut at the entrance of activities carried out in the living area will depend on
the compound (you cannot see the living area from the the cultural and social context of the community (which
zaure). This is to allow for the privacy of the women should not be perceived as homogeneous), as well as the
and give room for ‘men’s talk’. Men also mostly socialize resources and facilities available to each family.
outside the living area in gathering spaces (‘majalisa’)
both during the day and even for dinner.
• Childcare: women and adolescent girls spend time taking
care of and playing with young children. On the other
hand, men are considered the breadwinners and thus
spend a significant time of the day away from the house.
• Home-based income generating activities: in the living
area, both men and women may practice activities like
commodity grinding services, hair salon, small-scale
farming or micro-gardening, handicrafts and artisanal
work such as weaving, embroidery, pottery, or wood
carving. People may engage in these activities to
produce items for personal use or for sale to others,
setting up a small shop or market stall in the living area
of their plot. Depending on the items being sold, some
b. Cooking: In the North-East, the main food is Tuwo (corn
stalls are outside the plots to attract customers. Such
meal/fufu) and kuka soup (grounded dry leaves from
are mostly supervised by the men and boys. People with
baobab tree). It can be served with a variety of toppings,
particular skills or expertise may offer services to others
such as vegetables, meat, or fish. Vegetables can include
in their community, such as repairing household items,
tomatoes, onions, and peppers and some households
providing haircuts or herbal medication services.
may grow their own vegetables in gardens.
• Household tasks: Residents may also engage in various
Cooking is mostly the responsibility of women and
household tasks in the living area, such as repairing or
adolescent girls. The cooking area may be located either
maintaining furniture, sewing or mending clothing, or
indoors or outdoors, depending on the house layout and
doing other tasks related to the upkeep of the house.
the season. In rare cases it can be a designated room but
• Cultural or religious activities: The living area may also
more often it is a small outdoor area, and cooking tends
be a space for residents to engage in cultural or religious
to be performed at the ground level, with self-made
activities (in particular for Muslim women and girls who
mud structures (called the ‘murhu’) or stones elevating
are not expected to pray in public), such as prayer or
the pots from the fireplace. The cooking area is usually
meditation, learning languages, storytelling, or music and
equipped with basic cooking equipment such as pots,
dance. Note that access to the living area is sometimes
pans, and utensils, and is mostly one per household but
6
 may be shared within large extended family compounds
and in polygamous families, where different wives can
take turns to cook. Proper ventilation is important to
prevent smoke accumulation and improve indoor air
quality. Often, poor ventilation can lead to respiratory
problems and other health issues. Furthermore, hygiene
is also an important consideration in the cooking area,
as improper food handling and storage can lead to
food-borne illnesses. People mostly use firewood as
cooking fuel, followed by charcoal which started more
recently. Firewood is mostly collected by women, girls
and boys from the farm/bush while charcoal is bought
since it requires the cutting and burning of heavy logs
of wood. This is done by men in the bush and sold to
families for use. In insecure and remote areas, firewood
is also purchased as access to it can be challenging and
unsafe. Agricultural waste and or other biomass materials
are also used as fuel and sought within the community.
Harmful items like animal waste and plastic are also
used.
c. Sleeping The sleeping area is mostly designed based
on family composition. A small family may live in one
room but as the family grows in size, adolescent boys
and girls are often separated. In a polygamous family,
each wife has a room to herself and her children, with
the adolescent boys and girls having separate rooms.
The father moves between the wives’ rooms for conjugal
obligations and in some cases, has a separate room and
the wives take turns to sleep in his room. Separation of
male and female sleeping areas is considered essential,
as privacy is a shared cultural value in the North-
East regardless of religion. How these basic concepts
manifest is highly dependent on the availability of
space in the plot and the financial capacity of the head
of household. People often sleep indoors on straw or
plastic mats or thin mattresses on the ground due to
limited resources rather than cultural preference. They
may sleep in close proximity to each other due to space
limitations. Some ethnic groups (such as the Shuwa)
prefer to always elevate their sleeping area by using tree
branches as frames before laying the mats. Considering
the prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria,
protection against mosquitoes during night-time is
essential.
d. Sanitation In rural and peri-urban communities, people
often wash their clothes in communal areas such as
designated water points. Water is often supplied through
boreholes or hand pumps and is usually accessible
at communal fetching points rather than household
level. However, the quality and reliability of these water
sources can vary, and many households struggle to
access enough water for their daily needs. Where
available, toilets are usually detached from the house but
still within the household plot. These are often placed
away from the living area to offer privacy and reduce
bad odours. One toilet is shared regardless of the family
size and sometimes, it doubles as the bathing space
too. Toilets hardly have roofs and most times are made
from makeshift materials. The specific type of facilities
available can vary (especially in peri-urban areas),
but are mostly simple pit latrines that need manual
desludging. During the rainy season, access to sanitation
facilities can become even more challenging, as heavy
rain and flooding can damage or contaminate pit latrines.
In some cases, communities may need to take extra
precautions to prevent the spread of diseases, such as
by regularly cleaning and disinfecting their latrines. In
more rural areas, local populations have little access to
sanitation facilities and often practice open defecation
or construct a shallow hole, to be covered once filled
and another one dug somewhere else in the compound
(since space availability is usually not an issue). When
not combined with toilets, bathing areas are usually self-
built with collected materials close to the living spaces,
often in a corner of the plot to provide more privacy.
e. Storage People often have limited storage space and
may keep their belongings within the living areas. They
may need to prioritize certain items such as food, water
and clothing over others. In the villages, farm produce
are stored in mud barns with thatch roofs or in bags and
kept in the sleeping area. There may hardly be dedicated
secure locations for valuable items.
f. Livestock Families often rear small animals such as
chicken, ducks and/or goats in their compounds. They
often build coops or shades by themselves in their plots,
using mud, grass, branches and other locally collected
materials.
g. Religious practices Religious areas are mostly at the
community level and not in the domestic sphere. Both
Muslims and Christians have dedicated areas for prayer
7
 and religious observance in the community. There are 7. LOCAL HOUSING TYPOLOGIES AND MATERIALS
many of these smaller areas because of the frequency
of the prayers. For specific days of the week, there are See diagrams below:
larger spaces (shared by multiple communities) such as
mosques for Friday prayers for Muslims and churches for Diagram a, number of households per housing typology: Diagram b, main construction materials for houses in BAY
Sunday service for Christians. Male Muslims offer prayers states:
from anywhere they are and rarely designate a space in
the house for such, while women and girls usually pray in
secluded parts and within their homes.

Most of the above considerations are also valid for people

living in camps or in host communities in precarious shelter
arrangements following displacement or return. However,
the crisis has impacted the availability of space, resources
and access to materials and services for many, hence
the living conditions of families targeted by this design
competition are often constrained and substandard and
the housing solutions proposed should aim to enable and
improve all the above-mentioned dynamics and beyond.

The diagram a, based on data from the 2006 Census,
shows the most common housing typologies across Borno,
Adamawa and Yobe states (in both rural and urban areas).
This highlights that the great majority of families before the
crisis were living in detached houses or in traditional huts,
while the remaining 20 per cent lived in other typologies.
The diagram b highlights the main construction materials
found in houses in the BAY states (based on data from the
2006 census). Mud is the most common material followed
by cement blocks / concrete.

8
Diagram c:

The diagram shows a snapshot of shapes and materials

for local houses in rural and peri-urban areas in North-East
Nigeria. Each type is rated using three simple criteria: cost
of the solutions, complexity of execution and maintainance
required.

9
ILLUSTRATIONS OF SOME TRADITIONAL HOUSING COMPOUNDS IN THE REGION

Saad H. T. (1991). Folk Culture and Architecture in

Northeastern Nigeria. Paideuma, 37, 253–289.

Rikko L.S., Gwatau, D. (2011). The Nigerian architecture: The

trend in housing development. Journal of Geography and
Regional Planning

Oliver P. (1971). Shelter in Africa. Barrie and Jenkins

Umar G. K., Yusuf D. A., Ahmed A., Usman A. M. (2019).

The practice of Hausa traditional architecture: Towards
conservation and restoration of spatial morphology and
techniques. Scientific African, Volume 5

10
11
CASE STUDIES For some of the cases, costs are estimates and may
not always be accurate. The exchange rate used is that
The below case studies have been collected from the local of March 2023 (USD 1 = NGN 460) unless otherwise
context. specified.

Average plot Average covered

Case study Typology size (sqm) Cost (NGN)* Cost (USD)* living space (sqm)
Indoor Shaded

a Mudbrick houses and sanitation facilities (IOM)

a-i Kaleri settlement, Jere LGA, Borno state Durable shelter 144 666,000 1,450 17 9

a-ii Alema settlement, Gombi LGA, Adamawa State Durable shelter 205 845,000 1,835 27 13,5

a-iii Malkohi “new city” settlement, Yola South LGA, Adamawa state Durable shelter 144 488,000 1,062 22 11

Improved emergency shelter (Dikwa-type), implemented by IOM and

b other partners Transitional shelter n/a 350,000 750 24 -

Kaleri housing estate (Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and

c Resettlement, Borno State Govt), Jere LGA of Borno State Housing unit 144 1,570,000 3,400 22 -

d Mud shelters (Norwegian Refugee Council - NRC) Durable shelter 67 450,000 980 19 5

e Ngaranam Housing (UNDP / Borno state govt) Housing unit 300 6,583,000 14,320 31 14

f Compressed stabilized durable shelter (Mercy Corps) Durable shelter n/a 550,000 1,200 26 9

g Salama Housing, Girei LGA, Adamawa state Housing unit 144 2,116,000 4,600 18 8

h Low Cost housing, Girei LGA, Adamawa state Housing unit 85 6,375,000 13,850 24 14

i Sandcrete block house in Gwoza LGA, Borno state Local house n/a 1,435,000 4,120 26 11

j Bani-bani mud house, self-built, Gwoza LGA and other locations Local house n/a 250,000 550 20 -

12
a.i) Kaleri settlement, Jere LGA, Borno state
MAIN INFO

location Kaleri, Jere LGA, Borno state

tipology Durable shelter, semi-detached

main construction materials foundations Sandcrete blocks

flooring Rammed earth

walls Adobe (local mudbricks)

roof structure / roof covering Timber and corrugated iron sheets (CGI), gable roof

standard plot size 12x12m, 144sqm

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 70

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 16.8sqm plus 9sqm veranda

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit 6.3

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit (excluding sanitation facilities) NGN 666,000 (USD 1,450)

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area shaded area provided but actual kitchen to be done by users

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing only traced on the soil, mid demarcation wall provided in two different heights

13
a.i) Kaleri settlement, Jere LGA, Borno state

14
a.ii) Alema settlement, Gombi LGA, Adamawa State
MAIN INFO

location Kwanan Yaji, Gombi LGA, Adamawa State

tipology Durable shelter, semi-detached

OPTIONS FOR PLOT AND SHELTER ALLOCATION BASED ON HH SIZE _ 3 MAY 2022
main construction materials foundations Sandcrete blocks 15.0m
15.0m

flooring Rammed earth

10.0m

HH SIZE 1-2
20.0m

walls Adobe (local mudbricks) 15.0m

HH SIZE 13-15

10.0m

roof structure / roof covering Timber and corrugated iron sheets (CGI), gable roof
HH SIZE 3-6 15.0m

varies between 10x15m and 30x15m, 205sqm on average, this is a weighted 15.0m

standard plot size average based on the frequency of family sizes

20.0m

15.0m

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 295

HH SIZE 7-9 HH SIZE 16-18

flexibility in plot size based on family types? 4 different plot sizes and 7 different family size groups 15.0m 30.0m

27.2 plus 13.5sqm veranda, 27.2sqm is a weighted average based on the fre-
average covered living space (sq meters) quency of family sizes 15.0m 15.0m

3, weighted average, the number of rooms per family varies from 1 to 8 based
HH SIZE 10-12 HH SIZE 19 and above

average number of rooms for each unit on family size

average of occupants for each unit 7.7

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? from 1 to 8 rooms (9--72sqm) based on family size
estimated average cost per unit (excluding sanitation facilities) USD 1,835 or NGN 845,000, Costs as of February 2023. NGN 563,000 (USD
1225) for the two-room option, 1835 is the average considering the 3 rooms
on average

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area self built by inhabitants

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing only traced on the soil, mid demarcation wall provided

15
a.ii) Alema settlement, Gombi LGA, Adamawa State

16
a.iii) Malkohi “new city” settlement, Yola South LGA, Adamawa state
OPTIONS FOR PLOT AND SHELTER ALLOCATION
BASED ON HH SIZE _ 17 FEB 2022 _ 1/2
MAIN INFO HH SIZE 1-2 HH SIZE 10-12
HH SIZE 1-2: 1 ROOM ON 1 PLOT. OPTION A HH SIZE 1-2: 1 ROOM ON 1 PLOT. OPTION B

HH SIZE 10-12: 4 ROOMS ON 2 PLOTS. OPTION A

location Malkohi, Yola South LGA, Adamawa State

tipology Durable shelter, semi-detached HH SIZE 3-6

HH SIZE 3-6: 2 ROOMS ON 1 PLOT. OPTION A HH SIZE 3-6: 2 ROOMS ON 1 PLOT. OPTION B

main construction materials foundations Sandcrete blocks HH SIZE 10-12: 4 ROOMS ON 2 PLOTS. OPTION B HH SIZE 10-12: 4 ROOMS ON 2 PLOTS. OPTION C

HH SIZE 7-9
flooring Rammed earth with cement-sand finishing HH SIZE 7-9: 3 ROOMS ON 1 PLOT. OPTION A (3) HH SIZE 7-9: 3 ROOMS ON 1 PLOT. OPTION B (2+1)

walls Adobe (local mudbricks)

roof structure / roof covering Timber and corrugated iron sheets (CGI), gable roof
8x15m (120sqm) for one plot, 1.2 plots (144sqm) weighted average based on
standard plot size the frequency of family sizes

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 215

flexibility in plot size based on family types? families can receive 1, 2 or 3 plots
21.6sqm plus 10.8sqm veranda, The two-room unit is 18sqm plus 9sqm veran-
average covered living space (sq meters) da

average number of rooms for each unit 2.4

average of occupants for each unit 5.7

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? from 1 to 8 rooms (9--72sqm) based on family size
estimated average cost per unit (excluding sanitation facilities) NGN 488,000 (USD 1,062), Costs as of Nov 2021. NGN 407,000 (USD 885)
for the two-room option, 1,062 is the average considering the 2.4 rooms on
average

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area self built by inhabitants

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing self built by inhabitants

17
a.iii) Malkohi “new city” settlement, Yola South LGA, Adamawa state

18
b) Improved emergency shelter (Dikwa-type), implemented by IOM and other partners

MAIN INFO

location Various locations in Borno state

tipology improved emergency / transitional shelter

main construction materials foundations one course of sandcrete blocks

flooring backfilling sand (no floor)

walls timber frame and plastic sheeting

roof structure / roof covering timber frame and CGI covering, gable roof

standard plot size NA

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site varies by site

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 24sqm

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit 5-7

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? more units can be allocated to larger families
NGN 300,000-400,000 (USD 650-900) depending on the year of implementa-
estimated average cost per unit tion

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area self built by inhabitants

shower self built by inhabitants

common block in camp settings and individual or shared with a few in host
latrine communities

veranda not provided

fencing not provided

19
b) Improved emergency shelter (Dikwa-type), implemented by IOM and other partners

20
c) Kaleri housing estate (Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement,
Borno State Govt), Jere LGA of Borno State
MAIN INFO

location Kaleri, Jere LGA, Borno state

tipology Estate housing, semi-detached

main construction materials foundations sandcrete blocks

flooring tiles

walls sandcrete blocks, cement plastering and painting

roof structure / roof covering Timber and aluminium long span covering, hipped roof

standard plot size 12x12m, 144sqm

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 1,100

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 22

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit unknown (est 7-15 per unit)

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit (excluding additional elements) NGN 1,570,000 (USD 3,400)

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area

shower combined with latrine

latrine private

veranda

fencing opaque

21
c) Kaleri housing estate (Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Borno State Govt),
Jere LGA of Borno State

22
d) Mud shelters (Norwegian Refugee Council - NRC)

MAIN INFO

location MMC/Jere, Borno state

tipology Durable shelter

main construction materials foundations Sandcrete blocks, two courses

flooring No
Adobe (mudbricks), plastered with earth-based mix, additonal mix of engine
walls oil and bitumen (8 liters engine oil, 16 liters bitumen)

roof structure / roof covering Timber and CGI, flat roof

5mx13.4m (67m2), This represents a quadrant foot print as the shelters were
standard plot size designed in a block of 4 units

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 60 Units

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 19sqm plus 5sqm shaded area

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit 6

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit (excluding sanitation facilities) NGN 450,000 or USD 980

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area self-built, covered space is provided

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure, at the main access and for kitchen area

fencing only dwarf wall partially separating front-to-front

23
d) Mud shelters (Norwegian Refugee Council - NRC)

24
e) Ngaranam Housing (UNDP / Borno state govt)

MAIN INFO (LINK)

location Ngarannam, Mafa LGA, Borno state (Lat: 11.916924°; Long: 13.573721°)

tipology Housing unit

main construction materials foundations Sandcrete blocks

flooring cement and tiles

walls Sandcrete blocks

roof structure / roof covering Timber and Aluminum long span, gable roof

standard plot size 300sqm, 20mx15m

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 360 Units

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 31sqm plus 14sqm shaded areas, including zaure (reception building)

average number of rooms for each unit 2 bedrooms

average of occupants for each unit 8

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit NGN 6,583,000 | USD 14,320

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area is large enough to allocate space for outdoor cooking

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing opaque

25
e) Ngaranam Housing (UNDP / Borno state govt)

26
f) Compressed stabilized durable shelter (Mercy Corps)

MAIN INFO

location Jere, Borno state

tipology Durable shelter (Compressed and stabilized mudbrick shelters)

main construction materials foundations Cement, sharp sand, sand-crete blocks, bama gravel, water

flooring Backfilling sand, compacted mud

walls Compressed and stabilized mudbricks

CGI roofing sheets, roofing nails, well seasoned hardwood timbers Obeche of
different sizes for rafters and purlins, Common wire nails for connecting roof
roof structure / roof covering frames, metal straps

standard plot size 225 sqm (15m x 15m)

1 shelter per site with option to increase additional room(s) if the HH size
overall number of housing/shelter units in the site exceeds 7

average covered living space (sq meters) 25.92 sqm

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit 7

estimated average cost per unit NGN 550,000 or USD 1,200

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area Self built by beneficiary/participant

shower Self built/provided by the program if not available

latrine Self built/provided by the program if not available

veranda Provided by the program

fencing Self built by beneficiary/participant

27
f) Compressed stabilized durable shelter (Mercy Corps)

28
g) Salama Housing, Girei LGA, Adamawa state

MAIN INFO

location Girei LGA, Adamawa state

tipology housing unit

main construction materials foundations sandcrete blocks

flooring cement

walls sandcrete blocks, cement plastering and painting

roof structure / roof covering timber and aluminium long span covering, gable roof

standard plot size est. 12x12m (~ 144sqm)

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site 43 semi-detached houses (86 family units)

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 18sqm indoor and 8sqm veranda

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit unknown (est 7.5)

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit NGN 2,116,000 (USD 4,600)

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing

29
g) Salama Housing, Girei LGA, Adamawa state

30
h) Low Cost housing, Girei LGA, Adamawa state

MAIN INFO

location Girei LGA, Adamawa state (built in 1979)

tipology housing unit

main construction materials foundations concrete and sandcrete blocks

flooring cement

walls sandcrete blocks, cement plastering and painting

roof structure / roof covering timber and corrugated asbestos roofing sheets

standard plot size 55-85sqm

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site NA

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 24sqm plus 14sqm veranda

average number of rooms for each unit 3

average of occupants for each unit unknown (est 7.5)

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit NGN 6,375,000 (USD 13,850)

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area provided

shower private

latrine private

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing opaque

31
h) Low Cost housing, Girei LGA, Adamawa state

32
i) Sandcrete block house in Gwoza LGA, Borno state

MAIN INFO

location Gwoza LGA, Borno state

tipology local house

main construction materials foundations sandcrete blocks

flooring cement

walls sandcrete blocks, cement plaster and painting

roof structure / roof covering timber and corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) roofing sheets, gable roof

standard plot size 15x15m, 225sqm

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site NA

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 26sqm plus 11sqm veranda

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit 7.5

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit NGN 1,435,000 or USD 3,120

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area

shower

latrine

veranda attached to the main structure

fencing

33
i) Sandcrete block house in Gwoza LGA, Borno state

34
i) Bani-bani mud house, self-built, Gwoza LGA and other locations

MAIN INFO

location Gwoza LGA and other various locations in the North-East

tipology local house

main construction materials foundations NA or one layer of sandcrete blocks

flooring no floor

walls mud layers (bani bani)

roof structure / roof covering timber and CGI, gable roof

standard plot size NA

overall number of housing/shelter units in the site NA

flexibility in plot size based on family types? NA

average covered living space (sq meters) 20

average number of rooms for each unit 2

average of occupants for each unit 7.5

flexibility in number of units or unit size based on family type? NA

estimated average cost per unit NGN 200,000-300,000 or USD 450-650

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

cooking area

shower

latrine

veranda

fencing

35
i) Bani-bani mud house, self-built, Gwoza LGA and other locations

36