In contemporary architecture, various building types and architectural styles are recognized. However, in Nigerian Traditional Architecture (NTA), residential architecture is the most pronounced and well-developed. This emphasis stemmed from the immediate need for human shelter, utilizing available building materials, simple tools, and equipment.
Administrative buildings were relatively developed, with chiefs' and kings' palaces serving as residences for rulers and their families, as well as administrative centers for the community. Recreational and industrial structures were also partly developed. Religious and Administrative Buildings includes the shrines and temples of NTA. The palaces and houses of High Chiefs and those of their family houses were the heart of administrative activities.
It must be noted that the available building materials were not that durable with simple tools and equipment resulting in the available construction technology. Therefore, NTA cannot be compared with the ancient Egyptian or with the antiquity Romans in terms of architectural monument of religion and administrative buildings.
Regional Variations in Traditional Architecture
Nigerian traditional architecture varies significantly across different regions, reflecting the diverse cultures and environmental conditions of the country.
Yoruba Architecture
The architectural characteristics of the traditional residence of the Yorubas was basically the proper putting together of the rectangle or square buildings to achieve a courtyard system. The buildings were erected in such a way that they joined together at each end. The courtyards were surrounded by the verandahs with doors leading to different rooms.
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A typical Yorùbá village consists of a number of family compounds, along with structures that serve the larger community. Each family compound may have separate structures for cooking, eating, sleeping, storing food (a granary), and protecting animals at night. Structures may be round, rectangular, or semi-circular. Communal structures-used for holding meetings and teaching children-are located in prominent places within the village. Their houses are thus designed according to this pattern, as the compound is the focus of family life.
The structure of the Yorùbá house is designed and built according to their social background. Apart from the living quarters within a compound, other forms of architecture-like the palace and shrines-are designed and built mindful of the social order. In particular, the palace is built in such a way as to accommodate the entire community. It is a symbol of wealth, affluence, beliefs, and cultural property. These palaces consist of a series of courtyards, with each courtyard flanked by four rectangular units. The courtyard in Yorùbá traditional architecture is central to the building in many aspects; of particular interest and significance are the courtyards in the palaces of kings and chiefs. From Ilé-Ifẹ to Ọỳ ọ,́ Ọẁ ọ,̀ Àkúrẹ, Abẹòkúta, and Iléṣà, the tradition is much the same with little variation with respect to size or decoration. Courtyards are also called local names in different locations. In Iléṣà they are known as àkòdì, káà in Ọỳ ọ,́ ọwá in Ọẁ ọ,̀ and so on. Many of these palaces-though a shadow of their old selves-still have some of the courtyards intact, with some palaces having as many as twenty to thirty- five courtyards.
The royal palaces of the Yorùbá are the most important and dominant landscape elements of traditional settlements, being the largest residential units and the focal and nodal centers. Everything revolves around the king (ọba), (or chiefs) who live in them. The outstanding architectural quality of these palaces reflects the political, social, and religious values attached to the traditional rulers. Building elaborate palaces for the ọba was a tradition transferred from Ilé-Ifẹ, the traditional home of the Yorùbá to other towns, the most accomplished ones like that of Old Ọỳ ọ́ became the set pattern for the later ones.
For example, the first palace at Iléṣà was said to have been laid out on Old Ọỳ ọ́ palace model with the help of one of the princes sent from Old Ọỳ ọ. The design and construction of porches is also traced back to Old Ọ̀yọ́ where Òlúàso, an Aláàfin constructed about 120 kọbì porches which later became the imposing porch entrances in all Yorùbá Palaces. Aside from the palace gardens, carved posts supporting the roof, and other decorative elements and works of art, the courtyard is central to the construction and social activities of the palaces.
Among the Yorùbá and Bini-who live in urban conglomerations-the courtyard is a rectilinear space where leisure, work, food preparation and eating, serious conversation, and any other form of social activity could take place simultaneously. In some places the courtyard also provides a space for religious worship. Within the courtyard is the impluvium, which were originally water gardens in the courtyards of the Yorùbá and Benin compounds. The best are preserved in the palaces of the kings, and in the compounds of the chiefs.
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Edo Architecture
Like the Yorubas, the Edos traditional architecture includes both the Palaces of the Kings and the compound of the chiefs and the commoners. There were major and minor kings in Edo land. Therefore, we have major and minor palaces as well. The Oba of Benin is the major king while Onogies and the Otaru of Auchi were the minor kings Whose palaces had the same status of those of the High Chiefs of Benin.
Practically, in all the palaces starting from that of the Oba of Benin to those of the High chiefs, the Onogies and Otaru of Auchi, there were shrines and temples. The Edos had much in common with the Yorubas of the South West; therefore the chance of them having compound of shrines and temples cannot be ruled out.
Igbo Architecture
Generally, the four Igbo land (East, North, South and East) have some fundamental differences in their residential buildings. The Igbo West (Onitsha area) has much in common with the Edos of the Mid-West in their residential buildings. While the circular form of buildings in the Igbo North (Nri, Nnewi area) was due to the Igala influence. Both in the South and East, there were the various residential buildings typical of Igbo settings i.e.
Architectural building types in Igboland vary but range from oblong, and square to rectangular and circular shapes. Characteristics of igbo architecture includes Compounds, Wall/fence and Moats, Thatched Buildings, Verandas, Courtyards, Decorative motifs. Depending on the area impluviums were also a common theme, especially around the Anambra area. Compounds in Igbo spatial organizations are very important and can vary depending on the status of the owner.
Compounds are built with solid clay/laterite soil and surrounded by a compound wall, or fence. Some compound fences were also built to include moats or trenches for protective purposes. A traditional chief's home sometimes consists of a tower measuring up to thirty feet or more. Personal treasures were sometimes stored in the tower while also serving as a sleeping room. Towers were also used for defensive purposes. These compounds were also sometimes paved using generally flat stones.
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Generally speaking, the organization of the facilities and housing units within the compounds were influenced by the traditional believes of the Igbos of the East. Most of the Obi’s or Eze’s palaces often contained the Mbari house, sometimes the Ogilisi and Egbo. Mbari houses were the place of worship of the Igbos traditional gods usually constructed on square base and raised above the normal ground level.
Hausa Architecture
Irregular and rectangular forms characterized the residential architecture of the Hausa of the North; be it in the Palaces or the family compounds. Large parcels of lands were often acquired for this purpose so as to accommodate at least three generations. The male members of the family house had to maintain their matrimonial lives, thus the construction of the housing units was a continuous process. They were usually fenced round with a average height of 4.25m in a trapezoid form.
The fundamental function of the Hausa Palaces was residential. Traditionally, there was two types of compound (Agbole) i.e. large and small. If the large ones were owned by the chiefs and other well places personalities; then the small ones were owned by the commoners. In the small compounds there were usually three housing units while the large compounds housing units depended on the ability of the owners (financially, politically and the size of the family). The Palaces were built considering the size of the king’s family, security system and privacy of the king with reception halls and the spaces for their shrines.
Usually, compounds were rectangular, circular or irregular; usually walled with mud to an average height of 1.6m or fenced with stick and thatch materials with one entrance and porch. The richer members of the society built large compounds with at least three housing units while the commoners used to have one or two in small open compound.
The compounds were often divided into three sections by two courtyards i.e. the outer called “Kofa gida” and the inner “Cikin gida”. The entrance porch called “Zaure” been the only entrance to the compound is the first section of typical Hausa compound. The second section includes the reception called “Shigifa” and the rooms for strangers and stores for food stuffs. While the third section includes the head of the family housing unit (Turaka) and those of the wives and elders or aged mother units called “Adala”.
In the pre-colonial era, the Habe kingdom citizens were known to be worshippers of idols but the arrival of Islamic religion of non-compromise attitude with any other faith has erased all the valuable monuments of Hausa traditional religious buildings.
Administrative and Religious Significance
The palaces were not just residential buildings but also centers of administration and religious activities.
The King (Oba) used to the head of administration in a typical Yoruba setting while the High Chiefs were the ministers. Therefore, the central administrative meetings, court proceedings in criminal and other international or intertribal relationship issues were carried out in the king’s palaces (Afin). Then the compounds of the High Chiefs have halls or sitting rooms for district meetings (Ipade omo ile) where major issues were resolved - land dispute, marital issues, quarrels, etc. In this regards, these compounds were designed to accommodate such administrative responsibilities.
With the king on the top with a strong and powerful council of Elders (Umuno), Council of Title (Ndi Ichie) association (Ndi Nze) and the age groups (Ogbo), the administrative system was in horizontal development rather than the vertical development of the Yorubas and the Edos. Therefore, infrastructural development to support these power sharing were developed, which are today object of research studies.
The Yorubas worshipped many gods and their ancestors in their built-up shrines and temples. An attempt to please the gods pushed their people to put in their best architectural masterpiece into their religious buildings. Like the Yorubas, the Edos were also polytheists who believed and worshipped many gods and their ancestors; to whom they built-up shrines and temples.
The palaces of the Yorubas were not just residential and administrative building alone, but they were also religious buildings. Usually separated courtyards, rooms and sometimes apartments were allotted as shrines and temples within the palaces.
Courtyards: A Central Architectural Element
The Yorùbá courtyard is an important architectural space in traditional Yorùbá architecture that has not received adequate scholarly attention. This paper examines the courtyards in the palace of certain chiefs and Ọwá Obòkun in Iléṣà, in southwest Nigeria. Fieldwork identified about ten courtyards in the palace of the Ọwá, four in the Rísàwè palace, and two in the palaces of the Léjọkà and Ọdọlé of Iléṣà. It uses these courtyards as models for courtyards in Yorùbá architecture. The study revealed that most of the courtyards in the Ọwá’s palace are generally not used for one specific function, though some are used mainly for religious purposes. The courtyards in the palaces of the chiefs are more functional, and better maintained than those of the Ọwá’s palace. The paper concludes that-considering their ancient and social function-the courtyards form a melting point within Yorùbá architecture.
Specific study of the courtyards in the palaces of the selected chiefs in Iléṣà by Umoru-Oke (2010) provided a better understanding of these spaces, shedding light on the functions of these important spaces in Yorùbá architecture. However, she limited her study to the certain chiefs, which left a gap with respect to study of the palace of the Ọwá of Obòkun, believed to be the oldest of the palaces in Ìjèsàland.
The courtyard is an important architectural space that expresses joint or communal usage. Even though it is a single enclosed place that may be bordered by the rooms of a particular individual family unit, it is still considered a space to be enjoyed and used by other members of the extended family. Unlike in single houses, two types of functional spaces are defined in the Yorùbá style of architecture: the bedroom for sleeping, and the courtyard space for individual and group activities.
An open courtyard always lay by the entrance of compounds. The courtyards within the palaces and the compound were used for relaxation after the daily work. The public open spaces like market square were used for general ceremonies and festivals.
The palace of ỌlỌ̀wọ̀ in Ọ̀wọ̀ had as many as one hundred courtyards, many of which are now gone, or that have been converted to another use. Each courtyard had a specific function, and was dedicated to a particular deity. The largest, said to have been twice the size of an American football field, was used for public assemblies and festivals. In the Ọ̀yọ́ palace, the Aganjù courtyard covers an expansive space of about three acres, and also serve many functions from religious to secular purposes.
Traditional Compounds: Structure and Organization
Traditionally, there was two types of compound (Agbole) i.e. large and small. If the large ones were owned by the chiefs and other well places personalities; then the small ones were owned by the commoners. In the small compounds there were usually three housing units while the large compounds housing units depended on the ability of the owners (financially, politically and the size of the family).
The privileged ones could be “Ofo” (chiefs), “Isi mmuo” (the head of a cult like Mbari), “Di Okala” (the head of a clan or family”), Obi of Onitsha or Eze of Nri (King).
The compounds were often divided into three sections by two courtyards i.e. the outer called “Kofa gida” and the inner “Cikin gida”. The entrance porch called “Zaure” been the only entrance to the compound is the first section of typical Hausa compound. The second section includes the reception called “Shigifa” and the rooms for strangers and stores for food stuffs. While the third section includes the head of the family housing unit (Turaka) and those of the wives and elders or aged mother units called “Adala”.
The Obu houses within the compound were used for receiving visitors and for entertainment of members of family head.
Evolution of Nigerian Architecture
Architecture of Nigeria was historically influenced by environmental conditions as well as social and cultural factors. The coming of missionaries and political changes brought about by colonialism precipitated a change in architectural style and utility of buildings. A Gothic revival style was adopted for early churches built in the colony of Lagos.
Pre-colonial Yoruba people predominantly live in urban clusters that ends up forming a circular pattern. The palace (afin) of the King and an open market are located at the center of the town, while families live in structures that were built to enclose an open courtyard. An hierarchy of sort is developed within towns whereby the afin or palace is the largest compound and has the most courtyards in the city.
A one or two-storey timber house building made with pre-fabricated material components and designed with the influence of classic antiquity styles served as mission house for the missionaries.
Colonial Influences
Following the British conquest of Lagos, the town grew to become a city with a combination of various people: the indigenous residents of Isale Eko, African returnees from Brazil, Trinidad and Cuba who had crossed the Atlantic twice, European merchants and British colonists, and lastly creoles. Many African returnees from Brazil had trained in masonry and they introduced stuccoed bungalows or storey buildings with arch windows and doorways influenced by the architecture found in Brazil.
This style began to dominate the architecture of colonial Lagos especially in Olowogbowo, Popo Aguda, Ebute Metta and Yaba. Apprentice trained by the returnees later spread a modified variant to other parts of the country. These Brazilian type of house were built with open spaces between the top of the walls and the roof, a front or back veranda or both, alcoves, and garrets at the roof top for aeration. The shape of a two-storey sobrado are quadrangular with a central area that host an alcove, chapel, staircase and or with a passageway.
The advent of colonialism led to the construction of structures to host public events and the bureaucracy. Between 1860 and 1870, the Marina was extended and behind it, Broad street was developed.
Modern Architectural Developments
A planned effort by the governments in Lagos and the regions to introduce tall and modern buildings began to emerge in the years after the end of World War II. At the same time, European architects working in West Africa began to think of innovative ways to create modern designs that takes into consideration the tropical climate. Fry and Drew's University of Ibadan, Kenneth Dike library was one of the early buildings to incorporate environmental designs solving climatic problems in their works. Apart from functional comfort, consideration was given to cross ventilation and shade, in addition, a large concrete grille and fly gauze was incorporated to protect from heat and insect. These style was later adapted in many parts of the country and within West Africa.
Along Marina and Broad street in 1950s Lagos, older two storey houses and hotels gave way to skyscrapers built with concrete, steel and glass and influenced by modern architectural styles. At Marina, National House, later renamed Shell House was designed by Philip Cranswick, and on Broad Street was Cooperative bank building designed by Fry, Drew and Partners, these two were the earliest tall modern buildings in Lagos.
During the independence era, more large and tall buildings were constructed in Lagos, this included Elder Dempster House designed by James Cubitt, NPA headquarters and New Niger house both designed by Watkins Grey and Partners. In the 1960s, the 25 storeys independence House designed built by G.
