Urban Slums as Spatial Manifestations of Urbanization in Sub- Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Ajegunle Slum Settlement, Lagos, Nigeria

The emergence and existence of slums worldwide is a sign that the slums are crucial elements of contemporary urbanization, so the proliferation of slums is as a result of rapid development of urban areas in the developing countries (DCs). Slums are emerging as dominant informal settlements in many cities of the Sub- Saharan Africa, The need for housing is physiological, As it serves as an abode for almost all human activities in that even those who cannot afford still need them, hence, Slum is one of the great challenge of housing facing metropolitan Lagos which resulted basically as a result of large scale migration from rural – urban migration. Slums are fast becoming major spatial manifestations of urbanization and poverty as a result of the continuous influx of people, especially the poor into Lagos metropolis. About eight per cent of African populations had no homes and more than half of African urban dwellers lacked one of the five basic conditions required for a decent housing like water supply, adequate sanitation, durable housing, adequate living space and secure tenure. This study contextually discusses this urban phenomenon and vital causes of rapid urbanization, aftermath of these actions. It also shows the extent to which the poor are deprived access to decent and affordable housing. The methodology employed for this study is literature search and case study. It focuses on Ajegunle slums in Lagos, Finally the paper concludes by suggesting recommendations that will also help to provide adequate shelter for the urban poor and urban homeless people in Lagos. Keywords: Urban Slum, Urbanization, Poverty, Urban poor, Ajegunle, Sub- Saharan Africa Lagos and Nigeria