Nigerian architecture firm Oshinowo Studio has completed the Ngarannam Resettlement Town, a comprehensive urban planning project that provides new homes and infrastructure for over 3,000 people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in 2015. The 35,264-square-meter development, located in Ngarannam, Nigeria, represents a collaborative effort between the Nigerian government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to rebuild communities devastated by conflict.
The project emerged as part of the Nigeria Window of the Stabilization Facility under the Lake Chad Basin Regional Stabilization Facility, with Ngarannam selected as one of seven target communities for comprehensive reconstruction. Lead architect Tosin Oshinowo spearheaded the design process, working closely with the UNDP Engineering Department for both structural and services design. The multidisciplinary approach ensured that the new settlement would meet both immediate housing needs and long-term community development goals.
The architectural team included Technical Detail Architect Oluwatobi Bright and Design Architects Magaret Udonsak and Moyinoluwa Senjobi, with architectural visualization provided by Efemena Egube. The project incorporates sustainable building materials including steel and concrete, chosen for their durability and availability in the regional construction market. The design reflects both contemporary architectural principles and local building traditions, creating a settlement that feels both modern and culturally appropriate.
Completed in 2022, the Ngarannam Resettlement Town serves as a model for post-conflict reconstruction in the Lake Chad Basin region. The development includes residential housing, community facilities, and essential infrastructure designed to support the long-term stability and growth of the displaced population. Photography by Tolu Sanusi documents the completed project, showcasing how thoughtful architectural planning can provide dignity and hope to communities recovering from violent displacement.
The project demonstrates the critical role that architecture and urban planning can play in humanitarian response and community rebuilding efforts. By providing not just shelter but a comprehensive living environment, the Ngarannam Resettlement Town offers a blueprint for similar reconstruction projects across conflict-affected regions of Africa and beyond.
