NATIONAL POLICY ON RURAL SETTLEMENTS PLANNING copy

A Policy that guides rural settlements planning in Nigeria by providing development frameworks. It targets rural communities, governments, and private sectors to ensure access to essential services and proper land use. This aims to reduce rural-urban migration through improved living conditions.

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Rural Settlements Planning is a policy framework that guides Nigeria’s rural development strategy.

Who Does It Target?

The NPRSP targets rural populations, local and state governments, federal agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

It aims to bridge the rural–urban divide by ensuring rural communities are not left behind in national development.

Key Features

Equitable Service Delivery: Ensures rural communities have access to essential services such as housing, healthcare, education, water, and sanitation Spatial & Land Use Planning: Provides guidelines for settlement patterns to reduce overcrowding and improve land allocation. Reduction of Rural–Urban Migration: Improves living conditions in rural areas to discourage mass migration to cities.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: active in its implementation stage Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Rural Populations, Local Governments, Private Sector & NGOs, Youth & Women. Funding: Federal Government Allocations

How to Access

You can access the NPRSP through: The Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development, The Official Gazette, NUDP-related publications, and International development partner websites.

Important Terms

Term 1-Rural Settlements: The policy focuses on improving their planning and development and Communities outside urban centers, often characterized by farming, artisanal work, and limited infrastructure. Term 2- Economic Empowerment: Supporting rural enterprises, agriculture, and small-scale industries to boost livelihoods and reduce poverty.

Official Resources

Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development Lead agency responsible for settlement planning policies. Publishes official policy documents and updates on rural and urban development. UN-Habitat & World Bank Nigeria Provide accessible versions of Nigeria’s rural and urban development policies, especially those tied to the SDGs and Agenda 2063. Useful for international context and implementation monitoring.

Legal Framework

Operates under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Land Use Act 1978, the National Urban Development Policy, the National Housing Policy, and the Local Government Act (provisions on rural administration). Draws on the UN-Habitat guidelines on rural settlements and the African Union Agenda 2063 on integrated spatial development.