Nigeria’s housing market is under mounting pressure as demand continues to rise while supply remains constrained by land accessibility issues, infrastructure deficits, and fragmented institutions.
This concern was highlighted by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, during his keynote address at the 2026 Wemabod Real Estate Outlook in Lagos, themed “Unlocking Land and Infrastructure for Inclusive Housing.”
Osinbajo emphasized that with strong political will and effective public-private collaboration, the government can provide inclusive housing solutions. He recalled that during his tenure as Vice President, he visited Borno State to inaugurate 15,000 housing units, demonstrating that large-scale housing delivery is achievable with committed leadership.
“While demand continues to rise, supply remains limited due to land access issues, infrastructure gaps, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated policy solutions across public and private sectors,” he said.
The forum also highlighted that reforming land administration—through digitized titling, reducing transaction delays, and improving tenure security—is critical to unlocking housing potential. In addition, investment in infrastructure such as roads, power, water, and social amenities is essential for affordable housing to reach low- and middle-income Nigerians.
Osinbajo stressed that inclusive housing is more than a social obligation; it is foundational to economic productivity, urban growth, and social stability. He added that sustainable solutions require systems thinking, aligning land, infrastructure, finance, and governance to address the country’s real estate challenges effectively.
Industry stakeholders at the event echoed the need for a holistic approach, noting that isolated projects cannot solve the persistent housing shortage. They called for long-term planning, institutional reforms, and coordinated investment to ensure Nigeria meets its growing housing demand.
