Assessment of Housing Quality and Its Relationship with the Well-Being of Residents in Lokoja Town, Kogi State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.064Keywords:
Housing, Housing Quality, Well-beingAbstract
AbstractHousing is universally recognized as a fundamental human need and a key determinant of health, comfort, and social stability. However, rapid urbanization and inadequate housing policies have resulted in deteriorating living conditions in many Nigerian cities, including Lokoja. This study assessed housing quality and its relationship with the well-being of residents in Lokoja Town, Kogi State, Nigeria. Survey was used to elicit data on the housing condition and well-being of residents in the study area. A total of 402 copies of the questionnaire were administered to heads of households who were randomly sampled in the area. The data collected were descriptively analyzed using frequency counts. PPMC was used to test for relationship between housing quality and well-being of respondents at p≤0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that more than half of the respondents (53.7%) used modern materials such as corrugated metal roofing. Cement wall finishes (60.6%) and ceramic floor tiles (52.8%) were widely used wall and floor finishing. The findings also revealed poor wall (69.0%) and ceiling (53.2%) conditions, reflecting maintenance challenges. Toilet and bathroom facilities are widely available 86.5% and 82.7% but largely shared, with 73.5% sharing toilets while 78.8% share bathrooms. Infrastructure also varies spatially: boreholes were the main source of domestic water supply (70.2%) while electricity supply is irregular, often between 3 to 12 hours daily (60.3%). Overall, housing in Lokoja shows poor structural quality but uneven conditions, with greater infrastructural and environmental deficiencies in medium- and high-density neighborhoods. A strong positive and statistically significant relationship (r = 0.72, p = 0.00) exist between housing quality and the well-being of residents in Lokoja, indicating that improvements in housing quality are associated with better health and overall well-being. It was therefore recommended among others that government and housing stakeholders should prioritize the development of affordable and well-maintained housing schemes that are accessible to civil servants and similar income groups.
References
Adebayo, A. A., & Olagunju, A. (2014). Housing quality and welfare effects of building material choice among households in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 19(1), 1–18.
Adeoye, D. O. (2016). Challenges of urban housing quality: Insights and experiences of Akure, Nigeria. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 216, 260–268. https://doi.org /10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.12.036
Ajayi, O.O., & Yesufu, A.O. (2025). An assessment of users’ preferences for floor finishes in residential buildings in Osogbo, Nigeria. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals, 9(1), 1712-1721.https://www.irejournals.com/paper-details/1709836?
Akande, O. K., Alfa, M. T., Otemeata, E. A., & John, A. B. (2024). Effects of housing design on indoor environmental quality and residents’ health in Nigeria. Environment‑Behaviour Proceedings Journal. https://doi.org/10.21834/e‑bpj.v10i33.7261
Akindele, A.O., Arayela, O., Adegbile, M.B.O. & Ajayi, O.O (2025). Determinants of residential satisfaction: a study of housing quality, neighbourhood features, and socioeconomic factors. Journal of Built Env. & Geological Research (JBEGR), 8(4), 371-393 DOI: 10.70382/ajbegr.v8i4.047
Akpu, B., Oguike, W.E. & Osumeje, J.O. (2015). Spatial variation in urban housing quality in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Zaria Geographer, 22(1), 21-33. https://physicalsciences.abu.edu.ng/department/geography/public/journal/2015/files/0 3
Alabi, A.M., Balogun, F. A. & Adeduntan, J. Y. (2021). Housing and mental health in informal settlements: A case of Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, 24(1), 123-135
Ariko, J.D., & Akpu, B. (2014). Solid waste generation and management in Tudun Wada, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Zaria Geographer, 21(1), 25-35.
Asen, J. M., Ekpenyong, B. N., & Okon, A. J. (2021). Housing conditions and health implications on residents of Makurdi Town, Benue State, Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Health Sciences, 8, 67-78. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359981000
Atoro, T., Okimiji, O. P., Yoade, A., & Olaleye, R. (2025). The impact of housing conditions on residents’ well-being in informal settlements of Epe and Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria. RiSU Journal of Built and Natural Environment, 2(1), 197–215.
Baker, E., Lester, L., Mason, K., & Bentley, R. (2020). Mental health and prolonged exposure to unaffordable housing: a longitudinal analysis. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(6), 715-721. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01849-1
Bonnefoy, X. (2007). Inadequate housing and health: An overview. International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 30(3–4), 411–429.
Charles, A. F., Akinluyi, M. L., Okeke, F. O., & Deborah, A. F. (2024). Housing quality and health; an evaluation of influencing variables. E3S Web of Conferences, 535. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202453503004
Fagbenro, D.A., Idemudia, ES., & Boehnke, K. (2025). Relationship between perceived material living conditions and subjective health and wellbeing as moderated by personal attributes a representative sample of Nigerians. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1-11 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1530302
Howden‐Chapman, P., Bennett, J., Edwards, R., Jacobs, D., Kim, N., & Ormandy, D. (2023). Review of the impact of housing quality on inequalities in health and well-being. Annual Review of Public Health, 44(1), 233-254. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-071521-111836
John, O., & Ogboeli, G.P. (2025). The evaluation of waste management practices of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA). International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Sciences, 10(7), 1081-1098.
Kamata, T., & Kawakubo, S. (2024). Housing hierarchy of needs that contribute to the well-being of residents. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1363(1), 012088. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1363/1/012088
Muhammed, F. Z., Yamaguchi, K., Handayani, K. N., & Hagishima, A. (2025). Academic Editors: Ahmed Senouci Affordable Housing in Developing Regions: A Systematic Review of Materials, Methods and Critical Success Factors with Case Insights. Buildings, (15), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings
Odufuwa, B.O., Ogunseye, N.O., Oke, K.S., Salisu, U.O. & Fasina, S.O. (2018). Housing conditions in a slum area of Ajeromi Oke-Oja, Ogun State, Nigeria. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental, 11(1), 18-30
Ogundipe, K. E., Owolabi, J. D., Ogunbayo, B. F., & Aigbavboa, C. O. (2024). Exploring inhibiting factors to affordable housing provision in Lagos metropolitan city, Nigeria. Frontiers in Built Environment, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1408776
Oguntimehin, A.S. & Adeniyi, O.A. (2017). An appraisal of housing quality conditions in Ilaro, Nigeria. A paper presented at the 6th national conference, school of environmental studies the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.
Okon, I.E. & Ikelegu, M.E. (2021). Assessment of residential housing choices, quality, and affordability in Calabar Metropolis, Southern Nigeria. Humanities and Social Science Review, 9(5), 35-46.
Olotuah, A. O., & Akinloye, G. T. (2003). Housing characteristics and residential satisfaction in a traditional city: The example of Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 14(4), 263–270.
Oluwadare, T., Oluwafemi, F., Fasoro, A., Faeji, C., Oni, O., Kukoyi, O., & Pwajok, M. (2024). Assessment of housing quality in the Greater Karu Urban Area, Nigeria: A case of unplanned urbanization. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 34(1), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2023.2218447
Oluwaseyi, O. B. (2019). Assessment of Housing Quality in Osun State, Nigeria. Environmental Analysis & Ecology Studies, 5(5), 574–589. https://doi.org/10.31031/EAES.2019 .05.000625
Ordams, E.T., Ogbodo, U.K,, Nwosu, Ikechukwu, C., Iwuanyanwu, P.C., Abdulmumuni, B.M., & Nwachukwu, M.C. (2025). Impact of urbanisation on groundwater recharge and aquifer vulnerability in Enugu Metropolis, South-East Nigeria. Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(12): 594-604.
Rolfe, S., Garnham, L., Godwin, J., Anderson, I., Seaman, P. and Donaldson, C. (2020). Housing as a social determinant of health and well-being: developing an empirically informed realist theoretical framework. BMC Public Health, 20, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09224-0
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
Saliu, H. O., Sagada, M. L., Maina, J. J., & Sani, M. (2023). Residential satisfaction within selected public housing estates in Lokoja Kogi State, Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.17576/geo-2023-1903-04
Savahl, S., Adams, S., Casas, F., & Witten, H. (2025). Adolescent Flourishing in South Africa. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 20(3), 1339–1376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-025-10449-7
Simon, A.I., Jimmy, E.E., Emmanuel, A.J., Kingsley, C.O., Nkese, O., David, E.I., & Legbaleval, A.E. (2020). Assessment of water supply, sanitation and hygiene practices among households in southern Nigeria. International Journal of Environment and Pollution Research, 8(2), 42-53.
Ugwueze, F. C., Agbaje, O. S., Umoke, P. C. I., & Ozoemena, E. L. (2021). Relationship between physical activity levels and psychological well-being among male university students in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Health Psychology, 15(2), 1-17 https://doi.org/10.1177/ 15579883211008337
Ukeh, M., & Dauda, I. A. (2023). Stress and coping strategies as predictors of psychological well-being among Nigerian university students. Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology, 12(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.33425/2832-4579/23052
Ukula, F.F. (2022). Evaluation of housing quality in Makurdi Town, Benue State. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 11(07), 542-545.
Valadez-Martínez, L. (2019). Decorações makes a home: the role of living room furnishings in achieving a dignified standard of living in urban Mexico. Emotion Space and Society, 32, 100586.
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
The authors have made their research data available. You can proceed with the assessment. Thank you.
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Marcus Ameh Aedu, Prof. Benedine Akpu, Prof. Shehu Abbas, Dr. Muhammad Isma'il (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
