A people-centred initiative for housing justice and the civic commons.
JOY INITIATIVE FOR HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (JIHUD) advocates for sustainable, resilient and liveable cities by strengthening community voice, advancing housing justice, and promoting the collective stewardship of urban societies.
Why we exist
Everyone deserves the right to live in a decent, clean, safe and healthy environment, no matter their circumstances. Even deeper is the link between rural communities and urban centres — a link too often overlooked.
Rapid urbanisation in Nigeria has produced economic opportunities alongside deepening spatial inequality. Climate change, poverty and low incomes worsen that inequality. Low-income earners, marginalised communities, women and young people frequently face discrimination, insecurity, inadequate services and exclusion from planning and good governance.
Technical planning processes and market-driven development often neglect dignity and well-being; access to pedestrian walkways, bicycles and parks is being denied to citizens. JIHUD challenges the dominant model of speculative, profit-driven development that leads to exclusion, inequality and environmental degradation.
Common ground, shared future.
Housing for People.
What we set out to do
- 01
Advocate for pro-poor urban policies and housing justice at local and national levels.
- 02
Generate evidence through research and participatory mapping to inform policy and practice.
- 03
Empower communities and youth with skills to engage in planning and governance.
- 04
Build networks across civil society, academia and government to scale inclusive solutions.
- 05
Demonstrate community-led models for affordable, sustainable housing and public space.
Joy Oyiza Obadoba-Agha
Founder and CEO of Joy Initiative for Housing and Urban Development, leading the organisation's vision for inclusive, community-led urbanism across Nigeria.