INSTITUTIONAL INCENTIVES FOR MOBILISING SOCIAL CAPITAL IN COMMUNITY-LED HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Yahaya Bamalli YUSUF; Samir Sani ABDULMALIK; Mohammed Ishaq MOHAMMED; Obaito Sule ABDULKAREEM; Abduljawad FAIZA; Suleiman HAMEED

doi:10.33068/iccd.v8i1.1004

Yahaya Bamalli YUSUF Kaduna Polytechnic
Samir Sani ABDULMALIK NAUB, Biu
Mohammed Ishaq MOHAMMED ATBU, Bauchi
Obaito Sule ABDULKAREEM Kaduna Polytechnic
Abduljawad FAIZA Kaduna Polytechnic
Suleiman HAMEED

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33068/iccd.v8i1.1004

Keywords: Community Participation, Institutional Incentives, Housing Improvement, Informal Settlements

Abstract

Globally, community-led approach has emerged as effective mechanism fostering active participation in informal housing improvement initiatives. Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, needs this approach to improve the deplorable informal housing condition and salvage state-led housing intervention failures. However, its application requires prudent mobilisation of social capital resources and identifying ideal institutional incentives. Thus, this study explores the institutional incentives for mobilising social capital in community-led housing improvement within the informal settlements of Kaduna Metropolis. We employed qualitative case study approach involving eleven key informant interviews drawn from community-based organisations, local government officials, traditional leaders, relevant state agencies and non-governmental organisation. Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis with NVivo software, guided by collective action, sense of community and sustainable livelihood theories. Findings revealed that effective mobilisation of social capital requires combining institutional incentives, including but not limited to community education and sensitisation, government support programmes, youth empowerment, collaborative governance arrangements, transparent community leadership, inclusive participation mechanisms, and livelihood enhancement initiatives. The paper concludes that community-led housing improvement nourishes in institutional environments that actively fosters social capital growth. Thus, we recommend the integration of participatory governance, community-capacity building and livelihood support for poverty alleviation into urban housing policies to advance community-led informal improvements.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adama, O. (2012). Urban livelihood and social networks: emerging relations in informal recycling in Kaduna, Nigeria. Urban Forum. 23, 449-466.
Ahmad, M., Tanko, A., Eduvie, M. & Ahmed, M. (2017). Assessment of ground water vulnerability in Kaduna Metropolis, Northwest Nigeria. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection. 5, 99-117.
Anderson, J. (2021). Social capital and community resilience. Community Development Journal, 56(2), 210-225.
Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approach. SAGE, Los Angeles.
Deng, F. (2017). A theoretical framework of governance institutions of low-income housing in China. Urban Studies. 55(9), 1-16.
Ebekozien, A. (2020). A qualitative approach to investigating low-income housing policy provision in Edo State, Nigeria. International Planning Studies. 21, 1-17.
Ewnetu. B.M. & Seo, B.K. (2025). Governance of urban informal settlements in Africa: a scoping review. Heliyon, 11(10), e43441.
Jenkins, P., Smith, H. & Wang, P. (2007). Planning and housing in a rapidly urbanising world. USA: Routledge- Taylor & Francis Group.
Lincoln, Y.S. & Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
McMillan, D.W. & Chavis, D.M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6-23.
Moore, A.E. (2019). Addressing housing deficit in Nigeria: issues, challenges and prospects. Economic and Financial Review. 57(4), 201-222.
Mullins, D. & Moore, T. (2018). Self-organised and civil society participation in housing provision. Houisng Policy. 18(1), 1-14.
Mwanba, S.J. & Peng, Z. (2020). Analysis of Informal Urban Settlement Upgrading; The case of Ng'ombe Slum Upgrading in Zambia. Current Urban Studies. 8, 509-532.
Onuoha, M.J., Ihinegbu, C., Ihenegbu, D.R. & Owube, T.D. (2026). Unequal bonds: social capital, equity and displacement outcomes in Nigerian. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 8, 1-9.
Onwuegbuzie, J., Bustamante, M. & Nelson, A. (2011). Mixed research as a tool for developing qualitative instruments. Journal of Mixed Methods Research. 4(1), 56-78.
Onyemenam, E.C. (2019). Social capital and household welfare: A review of contemporary empirical literature. The International Journal of Humanities and Social Studies. 7(8), 264-284.
Ostrom, E. & Ahn, K. (2003). Foundation of Social Capital. U.K. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Ostrom, E. (1992). Crafting institutions for self governing irrigation systems. San Francisco: CA. ICS Press.
Petty, N. J., Thomson, O. P., & Stew, G. (2012). Ready for a paradigm shift ? Part 2 : Introducing qualitative research methodologies and methods. Manual Therapy. 17(5), 378–384.
Pham, T. & Mukhopadhaya, P. (2022). Social capital deficits in urban communities. International Journal of Sociology, 51(3), 201-220.
Putnam, R. (1995). Bowling alone: America's declining social capital. Journal of Democracy. 6(1), 65-78.
Saleh, M., Dabo, A. & Tanko, B. (2023). Community networks and housing outcomes in Nigeria. Housing Policy Debate, 33(4), 512-530.
Shi, X. & Ling, H.T.G. (2022). Factors influencing high-rise gated community collective action effectiveness: conceptualisation of the socio-ecological system (SES) frameworks. Building. 12, 1-29.
Tobi, M.U.S., (214). Qualitative Research & Nvivo 10 Exploration. Aras Publisher: Malaysia.
UN-Habitat (2023). Gl0obal Action Plan: Accelerating for Transforming Informal Settlements and Slum by 2030, Nairobi,. Kenya
UN-Habitat (2025). Proposed Recommendation on Informal Settlements. Nairobi, Kenya.
Woolcock, M. (2000). Socia capital and economic development. Theory and Society. 27(2), 151-208.
World Bank (2023). Accelarating progress in SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) in South and South-West Asea Subregion. ESCAP and SANS, India.
Yin, R.K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles