Ngarannam Resettlement Town Project emerged in response to the Boko Haram insurgency that devastated the community in 2015 and displaced more than 3,000 people. In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, UNDP launched the Nigeria Window of the Stabilization Facility under the Lake Chad Basin Regional Stabilization Facility, selecting Ngarannam as one of seven target communities.
© Tolu Sanusi
The project was conceived to rebuild the community, restore essential services, and foster sustainable livelihoods while creating an environment that supports dignity and long-term stability.
© Tolu Sanusi
Our vision for the Homes for Ngarannam was to design a settlement town more closely related to Kanuri and Islamic culture than the existing resettlement programs executed in the state. As architects and urban designers, we believe in human-centered design, where interventions are consciously suited to cultural, environmental, and climatic needs. It was important to propose building scale and materiality that are appropriate, conscious, and respectful of the way of life that existed before the insurgency.
© Tolu Sanusi
For the Ngarannam housing units, we have further developed the resettlement design that had already been executed by UNDP. Based on our observations, we improved the look and feel while also paying attention to the sustainability of the building structure, particularly regarding the roof design. We also considered the community preference for color, which has been a fundamental intervention across the entire scheme.
© Tolu Sanusi
Our proposal for the Ngarannam school is kept simple, with the observed lack of tree canopy shade informing a need for shading and cross ventilation. We incorporated elements of culture and color to create an attractive and lively environment that fosters learning. In addition, we proposed an adaptable shading pavilion that can be organically developed to create shaded areas for social gatherings. This pavilion scheme can also be adapted for the Ngarannam marketplace.
© Tolu Sanusi
We are optimistic that our intervention will foster development for the community, provide a sustainable platform for economic growth, and, most importantly, give the people dignity by providing homes that give members of the community cause to be house-proud.
Project Info
Architects: Oshinowo Studio
Country: Nigeria, Ngarannam
Area: 35264 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Tolu Sanusi
Technical Detail Architect: Oluwatobi Bright
Design Architect: Magaret Udonsak, Moyinoluwa Senjobi
Architectural Visualizer: Efemena Egube
Lead Architects: Tosin Oshinowo
Structural Design: UNDP Engineering Department
Services Design: UNDP Engineering Department
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.