Urban Justice and State-led Housing Policies for Low-Income Earners in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban justice in housing remains a central concern in contemporary urban theory, particularly in African contexts where rapid urbanisation exacerbates socio-spatial inequalities. This paper interrogates how state-led housing policies in Abuja, Nigeria, shape access to affordable housing for low-income earners through the lens of urban justice. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, including policy document reviews, stakeholder interviews, and household surveys, the study examines how state interventions mediate the relationship between policy intent and lived experience. Findings indicate that institutional fragmentation, bureaucratic inertia, and market-driven housing approaches undermine equitable access to housing, perpetuating spatial and economic exclusion. Despite policy rhetoric on inclusivity, state- led programmes continue to privilege middle- and upper-income groups. The paper argues for a justice-oriented framework that foregrounds distributive equity, participatory governance, and socially responsive planning in housing delivery. By situating Abuja within global debates on the “just city,” this study contributes to theoretical and empirical understandings of state power, inequality, and justice in African urban contexts.