URBAN PLANNING IN IBADAN NIGERIA, 1960-2010:

A HISTORICAL ANALYTICAL STUDY WITH A

SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ISLAMIC CONNECTION

BY

IBRAHEEM MIKAIL ABIOLA

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the

degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History and Civilization

Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and

Human Sciences

International Islamic University Malaysia

APRIL 2017

ii

ABSTRACT

This research studied the Islamic connection and historical analyses of urban planning

in Ibadan Nigeria from 1960-2010. It also identified problems in the relevance of

Islamic city in the urban planning of Ibadan and housing density, population and local

governance within Ibadan metropolis in order to achieve these objectives, the study

used structured interview. The study gathered information from both primary and

secondary sources. Fourteen experts who are familiar with the topic including town

planners, surveyors, and Islamic scholars were interviewed. Analysis was performed

on the data collected using projected formular to assess the population of Ibadan urban

areas and Ibadan less city simply because census population was not conducted in the

year 2010, and the time frame of this research request to know up to year 2010. The

findings of this study revealed that Ibadan cannot be categorized as Islamic built

environment. The study also found lack of awareness and lack of mechanism and man

power as major setback to urban planning in Ibadan Nigeria. The research has shown

that more town plan workers should be recruit by the government because the

inadequate of workers in this sector is contributing to the poor urban planning, and

those already in service should be constantly send to workshops, international

conferences, summits and seminars abroad, this will serve a long way in resolving the

demerit associated with urban planning in Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole. Finally, it is

evident that a well plan city would make a remarkable contribution to the co-

existence among people no matter their religion and belief differences.

iii

خلاصة البحثAbstract in Arabic

إبرااان في العمرااي للتخطيط تاريخيةت الوالتحليلا الإسلامي الاتصال بدراسة البحث قام ىذا التخطرريط في الإسررلامية في الددينررة مهمررة مشررا أيضررا وحرردا .م0101-م0691نيجيريررا تحقير أجر مرن برااانإ مدينرة في المحلري والحنر والسرنان السرنن و ثافة إبااان، من الحضاي

ر مرن الدعلومرات الدراسرة ىرذه وجمعرت منظمرة. مقابلة الدراسة استخدمت الأىداف، ىذه الدوضوع بهذا اراية على ى الذين الخبراء من عشا تّدت مقابلة أربعة والثانوية. الأولية لدصاارا

لدسرررلم . وممررن ا الررردين وعلمرراء الدررردن، ومخططرري العقرررارات وو ررلاء الدسررراح ، ذلرر في بمررا الحضراية الدنراق سرنان لتقيري الدتوقعرة الصريةة باسرتخدام جمعهرا م الري البيانرات تحلير إجااء

التعررداا برررجااء لم تقرر الاتحاايررة نيجيريررا حنومررة لأن ببسرراقة عبررااان مدينررة وأقرر في إبررااان،عرررام تىحررر امعافتهررر ث يتطلررر و البحرررا لذرررذ الررر مي والإقرررار ،م0101عرررام في للسرررنان العرررام

مؤسسررة بيئررة أنهررا علررى تصررني ها يمنررن لا إبررااان أن الدراسررة ىررذه نتررا . و شرر تم0101أاّت الاجرر وقررو آليررة وجرروا وعرردم الرروعي قلررة عررن أيضررا الدراسررة تأسيسًررا إسررلاميوا. وأسرر ات

مرررن الد يرررد أن الدراسرررة أظهرررات نيجيريرررا. وقرررد إبرررااان في الحضررراي للتخطررريط برررير ننسرررة إلى ىرذا في العرامل ايرة لأن عردم الحنومرة قبر مرن لرنرد تنرون أن يج الددن طتخطي عمال ورش إلى الرذين قرد وظ روا ياسر أولئر أن ويجر الحضاي، رااء التخطيط في تسه القطاع حر في لرالًا مهمًا سيخدم وىذا الخارج، في وندوات القمة ومؤتداات الدولية والدؤتداات العم

الواضر فمرن بصر ة عامرة. وأاريرا، نيجيريرا وفي إبرااان في الحضراي لتخطيطل الداتبطة الدشا ملحوظررة مسررا ة سرره شررأنو مررن جيررد بشررن للمدينررة التخطرريط أن البحررث ىررذا اررلال مررن الدختل ة. ومعتقداته الدين عن النظا بةض الناس ب التعايش من

iv

APPROVAL PAGE

The thesis of Ibraheem Mikail Abiola has been approved by the following:

_______________________________

Hassan Ahmed Ibrahim

Supervisor

_______________________________

Ismawi Hj Zen

Co-supervisor

_______________________________

Spahic Omer

Internal Examiner

_______________________________

Oladosu Ayinde Afis

External Examiner

_______________________________

Ibrahim Ngah

External Examiner

_______________________________

Abdul Wahab Abdul Rahman

Chairperson

v

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where

otherwise stated. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently

submitted as a whole for any other degree at IIUM or other institutions.

Ibraheem Mikail Abiola

Signature……………...……. Date……………………….

vi

COPYRIGHT PAGE

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION OF

FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH

URBAN PLANNING IN IBADAN NIGERIA, 1960-2010: A

HISTORICAL ANALYTICAL STUDY WITH A SPECIAL

REFERENCE TO ISLAMIC CONNECTION

I declare that the copyright holder of this dissertation is jointly owned by the student

and IIUM.

Copyright © 2017 Ibraheem Mikail Abiola. All rights reserved.

No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder

except as provided below

1. Any material contained in or derived from this unpublished research may

be used by others in their writing with due acknowledgement.

2. IIUM or its library will have the right to make and transmit copies (print

or electronic) for institutional and academic purposes.

3. The IIUM library will have the right to make, store in a retrieved system

and supply copies of this unpublished research if requested by other

universities and research libraries.

By signing this form, I acknowledged that I have read and understand the IIUM

Intellectual Property Right and Commercialization policy.

Affirmed by Ibraheem Mikail Abiola

……..…………………….. ………………………..

Signature Date

vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All praise and adoration is due to Allah (S.W.T), The Custodian and Giver of

knowledge to whomever He wishes, for giving me the privilege to complete this

research.

I would like to express my appreciation to Professor Hassan Ahmad Ibrahim;

he is just not a supervisor but a father indeed. Also my co supervisor, Emeritus

Professor Ismawi Haj Zen, my father and my mentor, a role model per excellence,

also my indefatigable and amiable wife and kids for the unflinching support and

thorough academic mentorship accorded me during my journey in pursuit of this

work.

My parents Alhaji and Alhaja Mikail Abdul Aziz deserve special mention for

their financial help and spiritual prayers to which I must forever acknowledge and

appreciate. It is on this note, i pray Allah to make them live long in health and wealth;

shower His endless Blessings and Mercy on them amin. I also want to extend this

appreciation to my dearest father Dr. Ahmad Totonji who with his help i got

assistance from IIIT for the first year in this research work.

I must not close this gap without remembering Sheik Abdulahi Al- Misfir in

Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Uncle Jiffry, Mr. Tin Maung, Mr. Mohammed Yussuf and their

families in Australia, others are Bro. Muhammad Al-Bahtab, Sheik Abdul Karim Rais,

Mr. Afsol Chowdry in UK, Sheik Sulaiman Barak, Sheik Uwaeni they helped when

things seems to be tough, may Almighty Allah be of their help and continue to grant

them all goodness amin. Please accept the appreciations with my highest esteem and

regards.

There are no words to describe my appreciation to Br. Alli Oladejo, Br. Sodiq

Omo-ola for their help and persistent confidence in me, have taken the load off my

shoulders. We shared ideas and advice with laughter and happiness regarding this

research. I thank my darling siblings Dr. Maryam Mikail, Ruqayyah Mikail and

Jelilah Mikail for their spiritual generosity and caring throughout my academic

journey here at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Please forgive my

inability to give you the best as a brother could give to his dearest siblings due to my

total concentration on this work. I thank you for the sacrifice and endurance

demonstrated in the fulfillment of the requirements to be awarded Ph D in History and

Civilization. May Allah’s Blessings continue to radiate on all of you and whatever you

lay your hands on in life, Jazakumullahu Khairan, amin.

Finally, I thank Professor Afis Oladosu of University of Ibadan, for his

immense contributions and those who directly or indirectly did contribute toward the

successful completion of this dissertation.

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………….... ii Approval Page………………………………………………………………………….. iv Copyright Page………………………………………………………………………... vi Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………….............. vii

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………............. viii List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………... xii List of Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………... xv

Chapter One: General Introduction...…………………………………….……….. 1

1.1 Introduction……………………………………………………….………... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem............................................................................... 4

1.3 Research Questions………………………………………………………… 7 1.4 Objectives of the Study…………………………………………………….. 8 1.5 Limitations of Study………………………………………………………... 8 1.6 Significance of the Study…………………………………………………… 9

1.7 Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………….. 11 1.8 Research Methodology………………………………………….…………. 13

1.9 Chapterization of the Researc………………………………………........... 14 1.10 Literature Review………………………………………………………… 15

Chapter Two: Research Methodology….……………………………………....... ....... 31

2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………............ 31

2.2 Research Design………………………………………………………….32 2.3 Research Paradigm…………………………………………………… 32

2.4 Research Validation…………………………………………………. 35 2.5 Review of Previous Methodologies…………………………………... 35 2.6 Data Collection……………………………………………………….. 37 2.7 Literature Review and Conceptual Framework………………………. 39

2.8 Research Flow………………………………………………………… 40 2.9 Classified Documents…………………………………………………. 40 2.10 Interviews as an Oral History……………………………………….. 41 2.11 Personal Observation………………………………………………… 45 2.12 Data Analysis………………………………………………………… 45

2.13 Summary……………………………………………………………... 46

Chapter Three: The Concept of Islamic Urbanism and the Islamic City…………...47 3.1. Introduction…………………………………………………………… 47 3.2 Concept of Islamic Built City…………………………………………. 48

3.2.1. Early Islamic Urbanism ............................................................... 48 3.2.2 The Islamic City: A Microcosm of Islamic Civilization............... 53

3.2.3. Criteria of Islamic Built City ....................................................... 55 3.2.4. What Makes an Urban City Islamic? ........................................... 61 3.2.5 Urban Planning in ibn Khaldën’s Point of View .......................... 66

3.2.5 The Implication of the Islamic Concept of the Environment

for Planning of Neighbourhoods .................................................. 70

ix

3.2.6 Relevance of Contemporary Islamic City to Ibadan .................... 73

3.3 Summary…………..…………………………………………….74

Chapter Four: ……………………………………………………………………75 History of Urban Planning in

Ibadan………………………………………………75 4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................75

4.2 Urban Planning of Ibadan………………………………………………75 4.2.1 Urban Planning Before the Arrival of Islam in Ibadan ................. 76

4.2.2 Historical Development of Urban Planning in Ibadan (pre &

Post Colonial Era) ......................................................................... 78 4.2.3 Urban Planning Ordinace: 1863-1960 .......................................... 81 4.2.4 Urban Planning in Post- Independence: 1960-2010 ..................... 87

4.2.4.1 Urban Planning Under the Regional Government (First

Republic): 1960- 1966 ...................................................... 87 4.2.4.2 Urban Planning Under Military Rule: 1966–1979 ........... 89

4.2.4.3 Urban Planning in Ibadan During the Second Republic:

1979-1983 ......................................................................... 92

4.2.4.4 Urban Planning During the Return of the Military

Administration: 1984– 1999 ............................................. 95

4.2.4.5 Urban Planning During the Return of the Democratic

Government in 1999 ......................................................... 97

4.2.4.6 Urban Planning in 1999 –2010 ......................................... 97

4.3. Challenges Facing Urban Planning in Ibadan 100 4.3.1 Hostile Environmental Condition for Industrial Growth .............. 102

4.3.2 Inefficient Service Delivery Service ............................................. 103 4.3.3 Deficient land Information System ............................................... 104

4.3.4 Poverty and Inequality .................................................................. 104

4.4. Strategies to Resolve the Challenges Facing the Urban Planning in Ibadan

105 4.4.1 Adoption of Strategic Planning Approach .................................... 106

4.4.2. Substainable Government Financial Base.................................... 107

4.5. Summary 109

Chapter Five:…………………………………………………………..................110 Historical and Islamic Evolution of the Study Area…………………………….110

5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………… 110

5.2 Historical evolution of the study area…………………………………. 111 5.3.Islamic evolution of the study area……………………………………. 116 5.4. Methods Responsible For the Growth and Development of Islam in

Ibadan………………………………………………………………….. 120 5.4.1. Individual Method ........................................................................ 121 5.4.2. Communal Method ...................................................................... 122 5.4.3. Group Method .............................................................................. 123

5.5 The Contemporary of Urban Markets in Ibadan 124 5.5.1 Islam and Urban Market ............................................................... 124

5.5.2 The Historical Formation of Early Muslim Market in Madinah ... 127

5.5.3 From Abu Hanifé to ibn Khaldën: An Approval of Urban

Market ........................................................................................... 130

x

5.5.4 History of Markets in Ibadan ........................................................ 132

5.5.5 Management of Urban Markets in Ibadan .................................... 134

5.5.4.1. Stakeholders’s Contribution to the Management of the

Markets in Ibadan ............................................................. 136

5.5.4.2 Challenges Facing the Management of Markets in Ibadan

Metropolitan Area ............................................................ 140 5.5.6 Waste Disposal and Management ................................................. 144 5.5.5 Environmental Issues and Sanitation in Ibadan ............................ 146 5.5.6. Summary ...................................................................................... 151

Chapter Six: ……………………………………………………………………..152 Ibadan Local Government and the Management of Housing Density……….. 152

6.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………. 152

6.2 Conceptualizing Islamic Housing……………………………………... 152

6.3 Islamic View on Co-existence with Housing Environment…………… 156 6.4 Demographic Characteristic of the Metropolitan Area of Ibadan: A

Historical Perspective…………………………………………………. 157 6.5 Local Governance System to Urban Planning………………………….168

6.5.1 Local Government......................................................................... 169 6.5.2 Revenue of Local Governments .................................................... 175

6.5.3.Reasons for the Establishment of Local Governments ................. 176 6.5.4 Functions of Local Governments .................................................. 178

6.6 Historical Analysis of Local Governments and Urban Wards Within

Ibadan…………………………………………………………………. 181 6.6.1. Ibadan North Local Government ................................................. 181

6.6.2 Ibadan North East Local Government .......................................... 182 6.6.3 Ibadan South East Local Government .......................................... 183

6.6.4 Ibadan North West Local Government ......................................... 185 6.6.5 Ibadan South West Local Government ......................................... 186

6.6.6 Egbeda Local Government ............................................................ 188 6.6.7. Ona Ara Local Government ......................................................... 189

6.6.8. Oluyole Local Government .......................................................... 190

6.6.9. Ido Local Government ................................................................. 192 6.6.10. Lagelu Local Government ......................................................... 193

6.6.11. Akinyele Local Government ...................................................... 194

6.7 Sources of Drinkable Water in Ibadan………………………………… 196 6.8 Integration of Mosques and Churches to Urban Planning in Ibadan…. 200

6.8.1 Integration of Mosques ................................................................. 200 6.8.2. Church Integration ....................................................................... 203 6.8.3 Suggested Solutions ...................................................................... 205

6.9. Summary……………………………………………………………… 206

Chapter Seven: …………………………………………………………………...208 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...208

7.1 Major Findings 208 7.2 Summary 216 7.3 Conclusion 217 7.4 Recommendations 218 7.5 Suggestions for Further Study 219

xi

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………221

Appendix…………………………………………………………………………..234

xii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 People interviewed regarding the urban planning 44

Table 3.1 Township Classification of cities in Nigeria 88

Table ‎6.1 Population growth of Ibadan from 1951-2006 158

Table ‎6.2 Population rate of the local government in Ibadan 159

Table ‎6.3 Housing density of selected areas in Ibadan municipality (2006) 161

Table ‎6.4 Population and Building of Ibadan urban (1991) census 162

Table ‎6.5 Housing estates in Ibadan metropolitan area 168

Table ‎6.6 Ibadan North Local Government 181

Table ‎6.7 Ibadan North East Local Government 183

Table ‎6.8 Ibadan South East Local Government 184

Table ‎6.9 Ibadan North West Local Government 185

Table ‎6.10 Ibadan South West Local Government 188

Table ‎6.11 Egbeda Local Government 190

Table ‎6.12 Ona- Ara Local Government 191

Table ‎6.13 Oluyole Local Government 193

Table ‎6.14 Ido Local Government 195

Table ‎6.15 Lagelu Local Government 196

Table ‎6.16 Akinyele Local Government 198

xiii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 A map of the city of Ibadan 4

Figure 1.2 Schematic flow of research methodology 30

Figure 3.1 Islamic built city criteria 61

Figure 4.2 Land use in Ibadan metropolis 95

Figure 5.1 Ibadan and Environs showing various cities 115

Figure 5.2 Oba Ogundipe Market Agodi gate Ibadan 136

Figure 5.3 Home video selling point at Oje market 138

Figure 5.4 Buyers surrounding a local herb seller at Oba

Ogundipe market 139

Figure 5.5 Commercial vehicles causing obstructions at

Ogunpa market 141

Figure 5.6 Tomato sellers displaying their goods at Oje

Market 142

Figure 5.7 Heavy traffic at Oba Ogundipe market Agodi

Gate Ibadan 142

Figure 5.8 Shoes and sandals displayed on the main road at

Ogunpa market 143

Figure 5.9 Offloading of yam tubers at Bodija market 144

Figure 5.10 Waste collection point at Bodija market 145

Figure 5.11 Alhaji Rasheed Oloola addressing the crowd 146

Figure 5.12 Waste discharge to the physical environment at

Bodija market-UI road 151

Figure 6.1 Mokola overhead bridge 165

Figure 6.2 Iyaganku G.R.A 167

Figure 6.3 Local Government of Inner Ibadan metropolis 172

xiv

Figure 6.4 Hand-dug well donated by an organization in

Malaysia to Ibadan 200

Figure 6.5 Aare Abdul Azeez Arisekola Central Mosque 203

Figure 6.6 Residential building turn to a church 207

Figure 6.7 Mega church at a residential district in Ibadan 208

xv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CAN Christian Association of Nigeria

CRIN Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria

DGM Defunct Municipal Government

DPM Director of Personnel Management

HQI Housing Quality Index

IDF Infrastructure Development Fund

IEDB Ibadan Executive Development Board

IGR Internal Generated Revenue

IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

LGA Local Government Areas

LGSC Local Government Service Commission

MIT Massachusetts Institute Technology

NDP National Development Plan

NDPA National Development Plan Approach

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NPC National Population Commission

NSCIA National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs

RBDB River Basin Development Board

TCPL Town and Country Planning Laws

UCH University College Hospital

UI University of Ibadan

1

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Ibadan is located in southwestern Nigeria, in the southeastern part of Oyo state about

120km east of the border with the Republic of Benin. The city’s total area is 1,190 sq

miles (3,080km2). The city is naturally drained by four rivers which have many

tributaries: Ona River in the north and west, Ogbere River towards the east, Ogunpa

flowing through the city and Kudeti River in the central part of Ibadan metropolis.

Ogunpa River the third stream has a channel length of 12.76km and a catchment area

of 54.92km2.1

In 1931, less than 7% of Nigerians lived in urban planned centres. Over a

period of 30 years (1952-1982), the population in major Nigerian towns has increased,

for example in the city of Ibadan, it rose from 625,000 in 1963 to 2.82 million in

1982.2 The people are scattered all over Ibadan in areas that are not properly planned

or structured accordingly. More easily observable is the lack of Islamic principles in

rapid urban growth in Ibadan. This study is thus a historical analysis of urban planning

in Ibadan, Nigeria, from 1960 to 2010, with special emphasis on its presumed Islamic

connection. The discourse explores factors that have contributed in shaping the land

planning of urban settlement, in addition to the influence of local topography features

of pre-existing cities such as Ibadan. The possible influence of the Islamic connection

1 For more details, see Peter Cutt Lloyd, Bolanle Awe, and Akin L Mabogunje, The City of Ibadan

(Cambridge University Press, 2009), 77-78. 2 A G Onibokun and A Faniran, “Governance and Urban Poverty in Anglophone West Africa” (Centre

for African Settlement Studies and Development (CASSAD), 1995), 34.

2

on the socio-cultural, economic, and political structure of urban planning will also be

investigated.

In general, the study examines the following: natural law, designed principles,

religious and cultural beliefs and social principles. It is hoped that the study would

help to develop a theoretical framework in looking at the conditions of the survival,

birth and growth rates in the city of Ibadan from the year 1960 to 2010. The increase

in population in Ibadan has caused the city to maintain more power and importance.

Sjoberg writes:

We must, if we are to explain the urban planning, growth, spread and

decline of cities, comment upon a city as a mechanism by which the

society’s rule can consolidate and maintain their power, and more

important, the essentiality of a well-developed power structure for the

formation and perpetuation of urban centres.3

In developing countries, a substantial and growing proportion of the population

live in and around metropolitan areas and urban cities, where their livelihood depends

to some extent on natural resources such as land to cultivate food, fuel, water and

space for living and shelter.4 The population pressure means that resources in such

zones are often over-exploited, and the urban planning constitutes the habitat of a

diverse population, including lower income groups which are particularly vulnerable

to negative externalities of both rural and urban planning systems.

The pressure includes factors such as risks to health, physical and life hazards

related to the occupation of unsuitable urban planning, poor housing conditions and

lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation. According to a well-known Muslim

intellectual, Ibn KhaldËn, apart from defense purposes and environmental factors,

there are other matters that judiciously deal with the importation of the necessities and

3 See Gideon Sjoberg, The Preindustrial City: Past and Present (New York: Free Press 1960), 244.

4 Adedayo Adesina, “Socio-Spatial Transformations and the Urban Fringe Landscape in Developing

Countries,” in Resilience and Social Vulnerability (Munich, Germany, 2008), 52.

3

conveniences in cities. Such matters are water, pastures, fields for cultivation, forests

and the sea. Ibn Khaldūn, in his al-Muqaddimah, described the subject at hand as

“requirements for the planning of towns and the consequences of neglecting those

requirements.’’5

Ibadan has been experiencing a great transition from rural to urban oriented

economy, which has been accompanied by the increasing mobility of production

methods, such as capital, labour, information and technology to this city.

Notwithstanding the popular belief in urban literature that urban planning may affect

the developed area in one way or another, most empirical studies especially in them,

have revealed a contrary view regarding the fate of cities in developed countries.6 The

United Nations’ habitat report in 2005 has indicated that by the year 2025, 61% of the

then 8.2 billion world population will be in urban areas and most mega-cities will

stand in what we call ‘south clusters’. About 85% of these developments will occur at

the urban planned hinterland, best referred to as metropolitan shadow, suburbs, city

edge and urban fringe among others.7

There are some factors that shape the urban planning landscape. The prominent

feature in Nigeria, particularly in Ibadan, is the informal sector activity and its

attendant problems on urban planning economy, which constitutes about 65% of the

economy. The informal sector’s response to the failure of urban governance has

various dimensions. To this end, this research explores and analyse the motives and

factors that have played in the forming and planning of urban settlement in Ibadan

5 See Ibn Khaldūn, Franz Rosenthal, and Nessim Joseph Dawood, The Muqaddimah: An Introduction

to History; in Three Volumes. 1, trans. Franz Rosenthal and Nessim Joseph Dawood (Princeton

University Press, 2001), 225. 6 Jan Gilbertson and Geoff Green, Good Housing and Good Health?: A Review and Recommendations

for Housing and Health Practitioners: Sector Study (Department of Health, 2009), 76. 7 Ibid.

4

since 1960. It also critically analyse the Islamic connection on the general, socio-

cultural, economic and political structures of urban planning in the city.

Source: National Population Commission (1991)

Figure 1.1: A Map of the City of Ibadan

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Studies carried out by scholars in the area of Islamic urban planning mostly focus on

Arabic-Islamic cities. First generation schorlars concerned with Islamic cities included

Philip Khuri Hitti, the writer of History of the Arabs, first published in 1937, who

5

discusses the greatness of the Arabs and their downfall, its empire, the Islamic

planning and architecture which happen to be the most lucrative panoramas in

history.8

Also M. Dumper, B E. Stanley, studied North African Arabic city, Magreb. K

S. Salibi studied Damascus and Aleppo; G E. Von Grunebaum studied both Magreb

and the Middle East cities. Second generation Muslim scholars such as E A. Ismail in

1972 studied three cities in Middle East, A R. Jamshidi studied Iranian cities. B S.

Hakim in 1986 studied Tunis, a North African Arabic-Islamic city, while Spahic Omer

in 2006 both studied Saudi Arabia traditional Islamic city houses. Except for Hakim

and Zubair in 2006 who recently explored the rule for the building of environment and

cities in Northern Nigeria, most of the present studies on Islamic connection to urban

planning focus on Muslim Asian countries such as Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and

Saudi Arabia.

The problems of urban planning in Ibadan are immense, more easily

observable yet very frighteningly are the general human and environmental poverty,

the declining quality of life in Ibadan, the underutilized as well as the untapped wealth

of human resources, poor housing and poor health services while infrastructural

facilities such as water, electricity and waste disposal are grossly inadequate. Ibadan is

among the 100 largest cities in the world. Moreover, intra-city mobility in Ibadan is

greatly hampered by poor planning of urban city and inefficient land use, which are

among the problems this research is going to examine.

The main purpose of this study, therefore, is to identify urban planning in

Ibadan and examine its characteristics with a view to provide explanations on the

housing quality of the residential buildings in the urban area as measured by the

8 See Hitti, History of the Arabs (Palgrave Macmillan, 2002), 76–81.

6

physical, environmental and socio-economic conditions of the city. It also studies the

population growth and density, the number of house density with a specific reference

to Muslims living in the city, the land use, economic activities and educational

facilities, both secular and Islamic,9 industrial development, market development,

health sector, mosques, recreation facilities and tourism sites in the city.10

Urban

planning in Nigeria, most especially in Ibadan, has long attracted keen interest within

the spheres of sociology, journalism, architecture and history. Key issues until now

have been events, personalities and dates. However, the concern of this study is to

analyze the intermingling of socio-cultural elements of the Islamic connection in

Ibadan despite the long advent of Islam. It explains and examines the problem of

unstable conditions of survival, birth and growth in urban cities in Nigeria, especially

in Ibadan. Several scholars have addressed the issue of unstable conditions in urban

planned cities from different perspectives and presented divergent viewpoints.11

Moreover, Mbiti observes that:

9 See A. A Oladiti, "Islamic Literacy and Cultural Influence in Ibadan: C. 1945 -1995" (University of

Ibadan, n.d.).77 10

T.G.O Gbadamosi, The Growth of Islam among the Yoruba 1804 – 1908, (Longman Press, 1978).

78. 11

So, when Islam came it fitted the philosophy, religious, historical beliefs and practices of the Yoruba

people and because of this they easily adopted the religious beliefs and practices. For more views see,

A.R.I. Doi, Islam in Nigeria, 107-110; Dada &Jeje, AwonAsaatiOrisaile Yoruba, Ibadan: Spectrum

Books (1972), 40- 42; Kennedy John, Nubian Ceremony Life; Studies in Islamic Syncretism and

Cultural Change, New York: University of California Press, (1978), 5-7; E.O. Babalola, Islam in West

Africa,(Ado Ekiti: Bamgboye and co Press 1982), 70-72; M.M. (Pickthall 1995), The Cultural side of

Islam, Nusrat Ali NasriKitabBhavan, (India:1981), 1-2, E.G. Parrinder Geoffrey, West African

Religion, (3rd

ed.), (London:Sheldon Press 1981),9-10; E.G. Parrinder Geoffrey, West Africa Religion,

(London: Epworth Press, 1978), 7-9; J.S. Mbiti, African Religions and Philosophy, (London:

Heinnemann Educational, 1967), 1-2, J.S Mbiti, Introduction To African Religion, London: Heinemann

(1975), 10-13; J.S. Trimingham, Islam in A Muslim Society, (Cambridge University Press, 1991), 129-

130; Wahabat, 30-33; A.A. Ilorin, Al- Islam waTaqalid al-jahiliyyah as- Shai’ ah fi Ifriqiyyah, (Cairo:

Madani Press 1979), 11-13; M.S. Zuglool, Azharar-Rubah fi AkhbarBilad Yoruba, (Lagos: Dar-

DawatWal-Irshad (1987), 63-65. A.A. Ilorin, Nasim as- Sabah fi Akhbar al- Islam wa ‘Ulama’ Bilad

Yoruba, (Cairo: Maktabat Wahabat 1991), 30-33; E.B. Idowu, African Traditional Religion, (London:

SCM Press, 1973),11-13; B.C. Ray, African Religions; Symbols, Ritual, and Community, New Jersey:

(Prentice-Hall 1976), 1-3; P.B. Clearke, West Africa and Islam; A study of Religious Development from

The 8th

To The 20th

Century, (London: Edward Arnold, 1982), 17-19; HiskettMervyyn, The

Development in West Africa History, (London: Longman, 1984), 21-23; and P.A. Dopemu, African

7

Africans are major in the management of two perspectives such as

environmental (urban planning) and health effect. The Yoruba has its

own planning system and set of beliefs and practices. Architectural

planning and all the department of life so fully that it is not easy or

possible to isolate it. A study of these urban systems is, therefore

ultimately a study of the people themselves in all the complexities of

both traditional and modern life… this urban planning is the strongest

influence upon the thinking and living of the people concerned.12

In addition, during the 1970s and 1980s, and even in recent times, the World

Bank’s urban projects in different parts of the world, particularly in Nigeria, show that

the living situation of urban residents, including the less privileged and the poor, could

be improved significantly, including cost effectively.

This study also helps to analyse and attempts to solve the problems of urban

housing quality and population density. Social, economical, historical and cultural

characteristics as well as environmental issues associated with people living in Ibadan

are examined so as to garner knowledge that can transform the city. It has been

observed that little is known about the Islamic connection to urban planning and those

that have worked on urban planning in Ibadan and in Nigeria as a whole have not done

anything related to Islamic and historical dimensions of urban planning, only on

environmental issues.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study aims at answering the following questions:

1. What is the relevance of Islamic city in the urban planning of Ibadan?

2. Based on the complementary nature of planning, what are the problems and

challenges that exist in urban planning in Ibadan?

Culture, Modern Science and Religious Thought, (Ilorin: African Centre For Religious and the Science,

2003), 1-3. 12

O M Momodu, “Rural Librarianship and Community Development-(The Nigeria Situation,”

n.d).117.

8

3. What are the issues regarding housing density, population and local

governance within Ibadan metropolis?

4. What is the impact of Islamic urban market to the urban planning of Ibadan,

Nigeria?

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study would allow the views of Islam in Ibadan to be understood from the

historical perspective and further show the development of Islamic architecture in the

city. Thus the objectives are as follows:

1. To explain the relevance of Islamic city in the context of the urban planning of

Ibadan.

2. To identify and critically analyze the strategies used to address the challenges

that exist in urban planning in Ibadan.

3. To appraise and review housing density, population and the role of local

governance within Ibadan metropolis.

4. To identify the impact of the concept of Islamic urban market on urban

planning in Ibadan.

1.5 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This study discusses the detailed aspect of Islamic connections and principles that

concern planning; it is intended to highlight those that are used in the day to day urban

planning by the Yoruba people which results in the present character of the Yoruba

traditional planning. Also, this study is restricted to those planning connections or

criteria from the primary sources of the Shari’ah; the QurÉn.

9

Other sources considered are the Hadith or the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed

(pbuh), his deeds, actions and sayings, QiyÉs and Ôjma. Urban planning of Ibadan is

chosen as a case study, because as asserted by Adelemo, Yoruba traditional cities in

the south western part of Nigeria share similar architectural characteristic, and hence,

could adequately serve as a representative sample. The study was carried out in the

old traditional city of Ibadan.13

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this research could be seen in its attempt to uncover a clear picture

of urban planning in Ibadan, Nigeria. It also helps in understanding how the historical

architectural plan of Ibadan as a metropolitan city contributes to its principles with

Muslims, and the major difficulties which the early Muslims had to face.

With regard to the principle of Islam on urban planning in Ibadan, general

contributory factors are pointed out in some subsequent chapters of the factors that

this study analyses are the urban management information, knowledge of the number

of property units across the city, places of worship like mosques, mosques in tangible

areas, location, ownership, value, occupancy and characteristics of places of

worship.14

Urban planning is an autonomous phenomenon; the exploration of these

historical, cultural, political and economic ramifications is not only intellectually

exciting but it also contributes immensely to our understanding of the larger society.

Just as there have been great empires in history, there have also been great cities in the

past and present reflecting various flourishing civilizations and Islamic connections.

Louis Wirth has rightly stated as far back as 1938 that:

13 Aidan William Southall, Small Urban Centers in Rural Development in Africa (African Studies

Program, University of Wisconsin, 1979). 128-30. 14

Edward G Parrinder, “Islam and West African Indigenous Religion,” (Numen 6, no. Fasc. 2 (1959):

130–41.