The Federal Government and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have called for innovative approaches to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit through affordable, inclusive and sustainable communities.
The call was made at the 2026 World Habitat Day celebration held at ABU, Zaria, under the theme, “Adequate Housing for All.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Motoka Daruma, said the government was committed to expanding access to adequate housing while developing inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.
Daruma, represented by Mr Danbaba Yahaya, said adequate housing must go beyond providing shelter to guarantee security, dignity, affordability, infrastructure and access to essential services.
FG Highlights Renewed Hope Housing Initiatives
The minister said rapid urbanisation, housing shortages, rising construction costs and infrastructure deficits required coordinated interventions to address Nigeria’s growing housing needs.
According to him, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing its Renewed Hope Agenda through initiatives including Renewed Hope Cities, Renewed Hope Estates and social housing programmes.
He said the initiatives were designed to increase housing supply, complete ongoing projects, provide supporting infrastructure and social amenities, and improve access to mortgage finance.
Daruma added that the government was exploring innovative financing mechanisms to help more Nigerians, including people in the informal sector and members of the diaspora, access decent and affordable housing.
He also said reforms in land titling, registration, documentation and digitalisation were being pursued to strengthen security of tenure, attract investment and improve land administration.
Government Promotes Local Building Materials
The minister said the government was promoting local production of building materials across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at reducing construction costs, creating jobs and strengthening domestic manufacturing.
He said the interventions were guided by the National Urban Development Policy 2025, which seeks to promote inclusive, resilient, productive and sustainable cities across the country.
ABU Offers Research Support
In his welcome address, ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Bello Sabo, pledged the university’s research and professional expertise to addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges.
Ahmed said ABU would focus on developing and commercialising locally sourced, climate-resilient building materials.
The university would also generate spatial data for urban planning and land administration while training professionals to respond to emerging challenges.
He said ABU intended to position itself as an active catalyst for addressing Nigeria’s housing crisis rather than treating the issue solely as an academic subject.
The vice-chancellor urged private developers, manufacturers and financial institutions to partner with university laboratories to test, standardise and scale affordable and environmentally friendly building technologies suited to Nigeria’s climate and soil conditions.
Stakeholders Call For Sustainable Communities
Former ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shehu-Usman Abdullahi, represented by former IBB University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.K. Adamu, urged stakeholders to shift their focus from simply constructing houses to developing sustainable communities.
Abdullahi said adequate housing must be complemented by security of tenure, infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, employment opportunities, public spaces and a healthy environment.
He said rapid urbanisation and population growth had intensified challenges around housing affordability, land administration, infrastructure, transportation, environmental sustainability and urban governance.
He called for inclusive housing policies and innovative financing mechanisms that address the needs of low-income households, students, young families, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The speakers agreed that tackling Nigeria’s housing deficit would require sustained collaboration among government, academia, the private sector, professional bodies, communities and development partners.
They also stressed that the quality of Nigeria’s housing and urban settlements would have significant implications for social stability, economic resilience and citizens’ quality of life.
