Researches according to writers have shown that housing problems are universal ones, they are not pertained to a particular country like Nigeria though, vary from different societies. The difference which is unsurprising, is that the housing problems known in some countries are severe than that of others, Nigeria being a prime example. The country is ranked amongst the top countries known for poor housing conditions and unconducive environments.
Also, experts believe that it is only 10 per cent of those who desire owning a home in Nigeria that can afford it, either by way of purchase or personal construction as against:
· . 72.0 per cent in USA;
· . 78.0 per cent in UK;
· . 60.0 per cent in China;
.54.0 per cent in Korea; and
· . 92.0 per cent in Singapore.
Table 1 shows the housing deficit of randomly selected six African countries,
including Nigeria.
Table 1: Housing deficit of six selected African countries
| S/N | Country | Year | Estimated population (2016-2019) | Estimated housing deficit (2019) |
| 1 | Nigeria | 2016-2019 | 185-200 million | 18-22 million unit |
| 2 | Ghana | 2016-2019 | 28-30 million | 1.7-2.6 million unit |
| 3 | Kenya | 2016-2019 | 45-52 million | 2 million unit |
| 4 | Uganda | 2016-2019 | 37-43 million | 1.7-2 million unit |
| 5 | South Africa | 2016-2019 | 56-58 million | 2.5 million unit |
| 6 | Ethiopia | 2016-2019 | 98-103 million | 1.2 million unit |
Source: Affordable Housing Investment Summit 2019
Nigeria’s housing problems are visible at the sight of increasingly overcrowded environments, high number of slums in both small and big cities. Majority of buildings in the sub-Saharan nation are inadequate or poorly planned, especially in areas known as slums in their numbers. This negative, not encouraging housing situation in the country ought to be of the deepest concern to the Nigerian governing authorities. Saying that they should provide an enabling environment for housing growth is an understatement, provisions must be made for it to be legally recognized as right for all.
Also read: Our stand (36): Housing affordability issues lies in strict implementation of housing policies.
In time past and the present, housing has not been prioritized amongst the most important industries as it should, despite the fact that it is highly difficult to pretend that the authorities do not understand the importance that housing plays in the easing of life activities for the masses. With the slow pace of economic growth seen in the country, especially the housing sector, attributing it to poor organizational strength may be right. It either back pedals the growth movement of an entity or slows or stall it entirely.
In light of this, one would say that the governing authorities are exactly good at taking actions after a deed or misfortune has been done and after that, the intensity drops, waiting for another calamity to befall before it stands to act again. This has been one of the major reasons we have experienced poor housing growth in time past and today.
Table 2: Trend in Nigeria’s Housing Deficit (1991-2019)
| Year | Housing Deficit | Population | Cause |
| 1991-1993 | 4-7 million | 145 million | Mortgage inefficiency. |
| 2007 | 8-10 million | 145 million | Slum demolition and urban migration. |
| 2013-2015 | 16-17 million | 178 million | Over population urban expansion and increased poverty. |
| 2017-2019 | 18-22 million | 184 million | Increased poverty, over population and urban migration. |
Source: Emmanuel Abolo Moore.
The country lacks consistency in housing policy and further development. It lacks the adequate investigational ability to really understand the primary housing needs of the poor and average Nigerian. Even if they may understand the housing desires of Nigerians, the government still lacks the dedicative will to implement most housing policy it has created for provision of affordable housing for the people, thereby, reducing the number of slums in the country.
Also read: VOX POP: Regulation of rent for renters.
With good organization, an individual stands a chance of growing considerably, this also, applies to the housing sector. If the government can start by concentrating on adhering to planned processes of what it requires to develop housing, it will see that policies for all the processes are properly streamlined for implementation and when this is done, providing affordable housing will be made a lot easier.
The government should begin by exploiting the production and usage of local materials than concentrating more on the importation of these materials, and with the high exchange rate the country is facing today, it will lead to high cost of building a house thereby, making it unaffordable for majority of low income earners. Aside from calling for good organization in handling the formulation and implementation of affordable housing policies, another recommendation that may be of immense benefit to the drive for the growth of the housing sector is to call for a major overhaul of some of the housing policies that will lead to radical and revolutionary changes.
