Abuja – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural design competition “Nigeria: Home After Crisis,” aimed at encouraging innovative housing solutions for displaced populations in northeastern Nigeria.

The competition is the first of its kind and was launched to create a platform for youth to provide innovative solutions to overcome the housing emergency that has affected the northeast of Nigeria since 2015.

On the 25 January 2023, the first three winning prizes were respectively awarded to the Nigerian-led IMAGINI(NG), Zuhura Zuhair, and Chora, whose proposed housing solutions tap into the local context to offer dignified homes whose designs are anchored in Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

“The winning entries are examples of skill, ingenuity, and passion from their creators,” said Laurent De Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, during the awards ceremony held today in Abuja, Nigeria.

“A home is more than a building, and it is crucial that as displaced persons strive to rebuild their lives, we work together to provide them with affordable, holistic, and socially responsible options”, added Laurent.

An estimated 3.3 million people have lost their homes or live in precarious conditions in northeastern Nigeria as a result of increased violence from non-state armed groups and the compounded effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

The humanitarian situation has created an unprecedented housing crisis, with millions of people living in makeshift shelters in crowded sites, settlements, and host villages.

The housing design competition was launched in partnership with the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) as part of IOM’s commitment to changing the approach to housing for displaced persons in post-crisis settings using socially responsible architecture that puts people first and seeks to rebuild the social fabric between people and within communities.

“Our hope is that this competition will spark a debate and reflection among all stakeholders on how architecture and design can help address complex issues such as poverty, inequality, displacement, and environmental degradation. As a government we will provide the political leadership to partner with the IOM and the other organizations to build more homes for displaced communities” said Professor Babagana Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State.

250 submissions from more than 1,600 designers, architects, and engineers from over 100 countries were reviewed by a panel of 11 judges, such as the multiple award-winning Chilean architect Mr. Alejandro Aravena, Lagos-based designer and architect Ms. Tosin Oshinowo, Mr. Raul Pantaleo, Ms. Anna Heringer, Ms. Anupama Kundoo, Ms. Carolina Cordero-Scales, Mr. Abdu Usman and Ms. Ruqayyatu Bashir Tukur of the National Intelligence Agency, Ms. Ugochi Daniels of IOM, Mr. Filiep Decorte of UN HABITAT and the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Solutions to Internal Displacement, Mr. Robert Piper.

Following the competition, the designs created by the three winning teams will be fully built and showcased at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, and the Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Northeast Nigeria.

See all winning entries here.

For more information, please contact Elijah Elaigwu, Senior Communications Assistant: elaigwu@iom.int