In Nigeria, two types of skylines exist. This is divided between the lower and upper class. The cities are divided by Visible and invisible walls. The concrete and barbed wire fence shows the physical class but the social class and roofs creates the invisible wall. To the observant Nigerian, it Is the evidence of a painful reality of the poverty in our society. Oxidized Sheets of corrugated iron that surround several communities and stretch for miles. Yet in the same city, the symbol of welt and balance is evident in their roofs, from the slates to the Dutch gable roof.

In the post-independence era, brown roof was a symbol of prestige. It housed several families over period of years. We moved from having thatched roofs and those that could afford brown roofs were regarded as important people.

In Ibadan for example, it is famously known for its brown roofs, where these roofs stretch endlessly in densely populated areas. This shows the difference between modern and old houses. It speaks of large income gap, poverty and long-standing neglect. Overtime these corrugated iron sheet roofs have changed from its original silver like colour to into a rust brown hue due to our harsh weather.

For those who were regarded with prestige and honor for having such roof, it is a large contrast to the reception they would receive if they are still alive as they have been over taken by the current type of roofs we have now. Some of these roofs were newly made as silver roofs but withered in less than 50 years. They are commonly found in poor areas such as Mushin, Ajegunle etc, a stark contrast from aluminum, stone coated rooftop in privileged areas such as Banana Island, Ikeja G.R.A, Maitama. The roofs speak the language of wealth and foreign influence. His contrast is not for aesthetic purposes. It is political. Economic, strategic.

Underneath these brown roofs, the buildings are either built with mud bricks or weak cement which is susceptible to flooding, roaring winds and heat. They also, most of the time share a single toilet, which in most cases could be a latrine. Cracked walls, naked wires, use of kerosene lit lamps and charcoal filled irons

These ‘brown roofed masses’ are important to the society. They are the natives of the street. They are the bole sellers, the bus drivers, the artisans, they are necessary part of our existence. These families persevere despite the odds. Yes, they live in poverty but they raise leaders. They send their children to school even with their informal jobs but the brown roofs quietly remain above them, reminding them of their struggle. A lot of famous people in Nigeria were raised in slums like this but did not allow their background become a stumbling block for them. For every few hundreds who escape this life there are thousands praying and hoping for a better life.

In acknowledging them, we should also acknowledge their struggles and not romanticize them, making the roofs the next best picture in the international market. These roofs leak when it rains, lizards, wall geckos lay refuge in these houses, holes are perforated due to the harsh weather.

While overtime, there has been the relocation of the middle and upper class to gated communities with private security, clean water, constant electricity and comfort, those who still live in brown roofed communities have no choice but to live with epileptic power supply, in some cases no electricity, dilapidated roads, zero proper drainage and low quality schools.

Urban renewal efforts most times overlook these areas as they do not contribute to the economy of the country and whenever they are being noticed, rather than being for development, it is most likely for a repossession of the entire neighbourhood, demolishing these houses and constructing high rise buildings.

The brown roof is a solid example as to how urban planning in Nigeria has failed majority of the population. Government backed mortgage schemes rarely reach them. Banks refuse them loans as they are not the ideal candidates for it, so they are pressured to patronize illegal loan sharks for loans. Rent control is nonexistent, they cannot afford ‘affordable housing’ which is becoming an issue for some of the middle class in our current year.

These are the same people the politicians running for positions recruit and notice when it is time for election. They are the ones who line up to receive cups of rice and oil. They are ones who sell bole on the road side and are engaged in photo ops by politicians. Once their ‘job’ is done, they go back to being invisible by everyone else, occasionally looked at with disdain from their expensive cars driving along the road.

If some of the middle class are struggling with paying rent in these ‘affordable’ houses, how much more, those that live under brown roofs. The hope withers gradually and it is the hope that kills. So, they continue to live in these spaces, praying gentrification does not happen to them while sharing their houses with lizards and other pests. They also have to deal with leaky and rusted roofs while praying for the next wind to keep the roofs in.

In a sane society, every Nigerian, no matter what you earn, we should be able to live under a solid roof. A roof that does not leak, does not rust from the harsh weather.

The United Nations recognizes housing as a fundamental human rights as everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate…..including food, clothing and housing. (Article 25 of 1948 Universal Declaration of human rights and article 11.1 of the 1966 international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights).

The visibility of brown roofs is a statement that there is a lot of work to be done on poverty eradication to the barest minimum.

The true measure of a nation’s progress is not in the amount of skyscrapers and modern day buildings it can boast of, but in respecting the poorest citizens as well and ensuring they have dignity even in their homes.

Until every Nigerian, regardless of income or region, can live under a roof that does not interprete a symbol of shame and poverty, we will remain a nation divided by class and the skyline above us.

One important thing to note as well is that the symbol of wealth today may be a symbol of poverty tomorrow.