Neglect of Jos cemetery sparks concern, UNIJOS professor calls for urgent green space transformation
The deteriorating condition of the Jos Cemetery has raised fresh concerns over urban neglect, environmental degradation and the erosion of cultural heritage, as Professor Yohana Chanle Sati of the University of Jos has called for its transformation into a functional urban green space.
Delivering the University of Jos’ 120th inaugural lecture titled
“ _Greenspaces in Architectural Urban Composition: Jos Cemetery as a Living Memory Among the Living in Jos Metropolis”_ Professor Sati warned that continued neglect of the cemetery threatens its architectural integrity, environmental value and role as a repository of collective memory.
He noted that the site, located in a strategic part of the Jos metropolis, has suffered from poor planning, bush burning, encroachment and inadequate maintenance.
“Just imagine that it is your loved one that is buried there and you encounter such conditions. Honestly, it is disheartening, and it is happening largely because of neglect by the relevant authorities,” he said.
Sati argued that cemeteries should no longer be viewed merely as burial grounds but as vital green infrastructure capable of supporting urban sustainability, emotional well-being and environmental balance.
He said integrating cemeteries into city planning would create spaces for reflection, ecological preservation and community cohesion.
“The cemetery should be understood as a cultural space that mediates between living memory and the living city. When properly designed, pathways and shaded corridors can serve not only mourners, but also visitors seeking reflection,” he explained.
He further proposed that cemeteries be formally recognised in urban master plans as ecological and cultural assets rather than residual spaces.
Sati noted that global planning standards recommend that residents should live within walking distance of accessible green spaces, adding that the Jos Cemetery, if properly developed, could serve surrounding communities.
“To care for cemeteries is to care for memory. To honour the past is to guide the future. To preserve these spaces is to preserve life for human regeneration and environmental continuity,” he stated.
He also highlighted the psychological and social benefits of green spaces, noting that well-planned environments promote calmness, reflection and improved social interaction.
Describing the Jos Cemetery as a “living urban archive,” he said it preserves history, culture and identity while offering environmental relief within a rapidly growing city.
He warned that continued neglect could lead to further visual degradation, loss of architectural integrity and increased vulnerability to encroachment.
Sati therefore urged architects, planners, policymakers and relevant authorities to adopt a new approach that integrates cemeteries into the urban fabric as sustainable green spaces.
“A truly sustainable city remembers, respects and lives with its memory,” he concluded.
In his remarks, The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, who was represented by Professor Pic Onwochei, commended the inaugural lecturer, describing him as eminently qualified and well prepared for the professorial role.
He said the lecture offered valuable lessons on interdisciplinary collaboration and intellectual humility, noting that it had reshaped perspectives on cemeteries and underscored the need to engage policymakers in rethinking how such spaces are designed and perceived.