World Bank Warns Nigeria Over Unplanned Urban Growth

The World Bank has warned that unplanned urban expansion could raise infrastructure costs, undermine productivity and constrain job creation in Nigeria, as it urged governments in Sub Saharan Africa to invest in city planning ahead of a projected surge in urban populations.
In its report, “Sub-Saharan Africa’s Urban Awakening: Catalyzing Economic Growth and Job Creation”, released on Thursday, the World Bank projected that Lagos’ population would rise by more than 25 per cent from 12.8 million in 2025 to 16.2 million by 2050, although it would lose its position as Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) most populous city to Luanda, Angola.
Onitsha’s population is also projected to increase from 5...