Cooperative Pathways to Housing Equity through Community Led Land Access and Urban Inclusion in Karu Nigeria

Rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa has intensified challenges around equitable access to land and housing, particularly for low- and medium-income earners. In Nigeria’s Karu Urban Area (KUA), adjacent to the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, cooperative societies have emerged as grassroots mechanisms for navigating the complexities of land acquisition and housing development. This study investigates the role of housing cooperatives in facilitating access to land and incremental housing construction, highlighting their contribution to inclusive urban development and the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. Drawing on spatial and quantitative methods, the research analyzes the organizational structures, operational strategies, and spatial distribution of 20 cooperative societies in KUA. Findings reveal that mutual housing cooperatives dominate the landscape, enabling members to collectively negotiate land prices, manage documentation, and support housing development. Despite limited government involvement, these cooperatives function as informal governance systems, bridging gaps in formal land delivery and promoting resilience, equity, and community empowerment. The study underscores the potential of cooperative-led models to transform informal urban settlements into more habitable and sustainable environments.