Why Are Nigerian Cities Falling Behind Addis Ababa and Luanda?

Watching city tours of Addis Ababa, Luanda, Abuja and Lagos has made me reflect on how infrastructure, planning, cleanliness and greenery can reveal a country’s level of development. In my view, Nigerian cities have fallen behind many African peers. Abuja is making some effort, while Lagos has orderly areas such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island and VGC. However, poor planning, roadside trading, congestion, littering and weak enforcement remain common across many major cities. Addis Ababa and Luanda appear more organised, calmer and better landscaped in many parts. This raises a bigger question: if Angola and Ethiopia have also faced governance problems and conflict, why has Nigeria struggled so much to build cleaner, more liveable cities? Beyond Lagos and Abuja, Uyo stands out as a city making progress. Cities such as Kaduna, Enugu and Ibadan also have potential, but development often seems limited to a few highbrow neighbourhoods. What practical steps can Nigerian governments and residents take to improve urban planning, public order and green spaces?

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