Condition of Housing Infrastructure and Its Impact on Sustainable Urban Development: Assessing Progress Toward SDG 11 in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Sokoto Metropolis serves as the focal point of this study, and one of the oldest traditional cities in Nigeria being the seat of the caliphate established by Sheikh Usamnu Danfodiyo in 1804 (Reformer). This study examines basic housing infrastructure in Sokoto Metropolis, focusing on the condition of access roads, water supply, waste disposal, fire rescue services, drainage, and street lighting. These components are essential to urban sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which promotes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. In rapidly urbanizing areas like Sokoto, infrastructure often lags behind urban growth, intensifying the challenges related to urban sustainability. To assess these issues, the study employed both primary and secondary data. Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 382 heads of households using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table, while secondary data was obtained from the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency as sampling frame. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the use of the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank infrastructure needs. The study found that the condition of infrastructure in Sokoto Metropolis is generally poor, with waste management emerging as the most urgent issue at mean value of 0.5094. This reflects broader infrastructure gaps likely caused by insufficient facilities, weak policy enforcement, and rapid urbanization. The study recommends that the Sokoto State Government align its housing infrastructure planning and budgeting with the UN 2030 Development Agenda to address these challenges effectively.