ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING INFORMAL COMMERCIAL APPROPRIATION OF URBAN SPACE IN BENIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Informal commercial activities are a persistent feature of rapidly expanding African cities, yet limited evidence
explains how socio-economic pressures and spatial opportunities jointly shape their appropriation of urban
space. This study examined the factors influencing informal commercial appropriation in Benin Metropolis,
Nigeria. A survey design was adopted, and 410 questionnaires were administered to informal traders across
46 selected commercial locations using an adaptive systematic sampling approach. Data were analysed using
multinomial logistic regression for location-choice motives, binary logistic regression for reported increases in
trader activity, and chi-square tests with measures of association for trader challenges. The multinomial model
was significant (χ² = 311.655, p < .001; Nagelkerke R² = .564), with age (χ² = 43.956, p = .028), marital
status (χ² = 231.000, p < .001), educational attainment (χ² = 46.172, p = .017), household size (χ² = 44.217, p
= .026), monthly income (χ² = 48.100, p = .010), and business type (χ² = 79.119, p = .004) significantly
associated with location-choice motives. The binary logistic model was significant (χ²(8) = 26.19, p = .001;
Nagelkerke R² = .116), with high pedestrian traffic (OR = 5.83, p = .006) and no need for rent payments (OR
= 13.96, p = .029) significantly predicting increased trader activity. Trader challenges were significantly
associated with local government area (χ²(24) = 40.55, p = .019), years in trading (χ²(18) = 46.75, p < .001),
and business type (χ²(42) = 66.31, p = .010), although the associations were small to moderate (Cramer's V =
.157–.195). The findings demonstrate that informal commercial appropriation is shaped by the interaction of
socio-economic pressures, spatial accessibility, and everyday livelihood practices. The study contributes
empirical evidence from a medium-sized Nigerian city and highlights the need for differentiated planning
responses that integrate livelihood needs, spatial organisation, accessibility, and regulatory practice.