Abstract: The pattern of residential segregation is a form of segregation that sorts population groups into various neighbourhood levels. In Nigeria, it has contributed to the high level of crises, discrimination and destruction of life and properties. The aim of this research is to examine the factors that determine the pattern of residential segregation in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. 368 copies of questionnaire were used to gather information from the respondents from seven locations (Adankolo, Ganaja, Gadumo, Lokongoma, Zango, Felele and Kabawa). Simple percentages and frequency tables were used to analyze the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the spatial location of ethnic groups in Lokoja, and the factors responsible for the observed spatial pattern. The results show that the major factors determining the pattern of residential segregation in the study area are Ethnicity (12.1%), Religion (12.1%) and Workplace (11.8%). The dominant tribe is Igala (28.4%), followed by Okun (25.6%), Ebira (11.4%) while the remaining 34.6% comprises of other tribes. The dominant religion is Christianity (49.1%), Islam (43.5%) while traditionalist constitutes (7.4%). Of all the locations, Adankolo and Gadumo are the two with the highest Igala (60.9%) and Christian (65.2%) respondents respectively. Uneven spatial development was observed. It is recommended that social activities such as festivals, carnivals, sporting activities among others should be encouraged, so as to reunite the different ethnic groups with the different community leaders being actively involved for the development of the area
Key words: Ethnicity, Residential segregation, Neighbourhood, Social space.