ABSTRACT
The term 'urban poor', as conventionally used, embraces two-thirds or more of the population of these African cities; it excludes only the 'middle class' of usually well-educated professionals and executives and of prosperous commercial entrepreneurs and an 'upper class'. In the housing discourse the evaluation of policy – and in particular of state-directed housing programmes – is in terms of numbers of units constructed. Though the target is rarely achieved, an impressive suburb is often created which can be displayed with pride to visiting dignitaries. In the colonial period governments provided houses not only for their largely expatriate senior employees but also for junior African employees usually stationed far from home and subject to frequent transfer, just as mining companies in inaccessible locations housed their migrant labour. When the University College, Ibadan, was built upon its permanent site from 1950 onwards not only was housing provided for all senior staff but a 'village' of barrack-like quarters accommodated several junior employees.
