Research consortium tackles urban development challenges in Nigeria
By Njadvara MUSA, Maiduguri
The African Cities Research Collaboration (ACRC) has committed to address issues related to urban development in African cities that are undergoing fast change.
One of the 12 African cities where the Consortium involves locals, academics, organisations, and other stakeholders in the processes of urban change is Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.
The Research Uptake Lead, Haruna Ayuba, revealed the difficulties yesterday (Wednesday) in Maiduguri at the ACRC Stakeholders’ research uptake meeting. She said: “Young people face many difficulties, such as limited access to high-quality education, unemployment, drug abuse, and exclusion from formal decision-making processes.”
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He lamented that the young people remain optimistic about graduating from schools and gaining decent employment opportunities.
“Despite several safety and security interventions in the last decade, there are reported cases of periodic clashes among youth’s groups in communities,” he noted.
Besides, he added that; “There were mobile phone snatchings and burglary,” stating that many people in low-income areas resorted to locally mobilized self-defense.
The ACRC theme: “Tackling priority complex problems to unlock urban systems,” was to explore positive transformation that leads to economic growth, improved well-being and inclusive development at all levels.
He claims that political resolution, land and connectivity, safety, as well as youth and capacity development, are all part of the inclusive development of cities in Borno state.
He said that the trajectory of Maiduguri’s urban growth has also been affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Research Consortium might focus on areas including housing, informal settlement, health and well-being, youth capabilities, and economic development, he added.
The Borno State Commissioner of Environment, Yerima Saleh, while declaring the ACRC Stakeholders’ meeting open, disclosed: “The problems we have in our society is the management and control of population,” adding that this is related to discipline among the residents.
The Director of ACRC, Martins Atela, in a virtual presentation from Nairobi, Kenya, sought support of the Federal and State governments in the implementation of research findings on Maiduguri city.
