Urban Infrastructure and Transit-Oriented Development in Abuja, Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city was purposely established as a planned city in 1976 by government decree designating it Nigeria’s capital city. This was to solved virtually all the problems identified to be associated with Lagos which was performing dual role as State and Federal Capital respectively. Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was saddled with the responsibility developing the city in accordance with the master plan. The city’s design included provision of an Abuja Rail Mass Transit, and several 10-lane super multiple carriage highways. Over 40 years later, the rail mass transit is not functional as planned and the transportation sector is dominated by mostly informal providers. Abuja Transit-Oriented Development has been a key focus because of the rapid urbanisation that brings about inadequacy and limitations in the transit system of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The demand for transport due to its service- oriented capacity cannot be separated from any part of society. The study recommended the formulation of policies that would enable informal transit system to play complementary role within an integrated modal transport system, but with regulations to streamline operations and align with formal transport services.