Institutional Approaches To Slum Upgrading For Sustainable Housing Delivery: A Case Study Of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fast-paced urbanisation and persistent socio-economic inequality have made slum upgrading a central strategy in achieving sustainable housing and urban development globally. International policy frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Target 11.1 of SDG 11, call for the upgrading of slums and access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all by 2030, emphasising participation, tenure security, and integrated service delivery. Drawing from comparisms between programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that highlight institutional coordination, community engagement, and sustainability as key determinants of success, this study explores the institutional processes guiding slum upgrading for sustainable housing delivery in selected communities in Lagos State: Ajegunle, Bariga, and Isale Gangan. Using a qualitative approach, data were obtained through in-depth interviews and analysed thematically. The study identifies six major themes: community engagement and participation, sustainability practices, institutional and policy frameworks, challenges in project execution, impacts on living standards and economic opportunities, and long-term sustainability. Findings reveal that strong participatory governance, supportive institutional frameworks, and sustainability-oriented interventions have improved housing conditions and socio-economic outcomes. Nonetheless, persistent challenges related to financing, land tenure complexity, and community resistance underscore the need for innovative governance strategies. This study links global slum upgrading debates with a detailed Lagos State case, which is found to be relevant to policymakers, urban planners, and development practitioners working toward equitable and sustainable urban transformation in rapidly growing cities.