Abstract
The expansion of informal settlements remains a primary structural challenge for cities across the Global South, a reality clearly visible in rapidly growing administrative capitals like Abuja (UN-Habitat, 2022; United Nations, 2023). This study investigates the socio-economic profiles, housing conditions, and survival strategies of households living in Kpaduma, an unplanned enclave sitting directly along the boundary of the affluent Guzape District (Cadastral Zone A09). Primary data were gathered through 384 household surveys, informant interviews with municipal officials, and structured field observations, paired with an analysis of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) planning documents. The findings show that Kpaduma operates as a critical, low-cost housing hub for the city’s low-wage workforce, including junior civil servants, artisans, and informal traders. However, basic infrastructure is almost entirely absent: nearly 80% of households rely on informal water vendors or unsafe wells, while rudimentary drainage and poor waste handling, create persistent environmental health risks. Pervasive tenure insecurity further exposes residents to eviction threats and deters long-term investment in home improvements. Ultimately, despite being economically integrated into Abuja's labor market, Kpaduma remains institutionally excluded. The study argues that aggressive clearance policies fail to resolve urban growth challenges, advocating instead for in-situ upgrading, land tenure regularization, and inclusive zoning within FCT planning frameworks.