A leading real estate expert has called on the Federal and state governments to urgently prioritise large-scale infrastructure development, social housing, and accessible mortgage systems as strategic solutions to Nigeria’s deepening housing deficit.
Speaking at the inauguration of Cavalli Group’s newly reconstituted Board of Directors, the Chairman, Sokipriye Graham-Douglas, said Nigeria cannot close its housing gap without targeted public-sector intervention, especially in underserved and emerging districts around major cities.
Graham-Douglas explained that the pressure in the Lagos housing market stems from limited access to new growth corridors that could accommodate affordable homes.
He noted that improved road networks—particularly the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road—would open up Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, and other outlying communities for mass housing development.
“Infrastructure is the key. Once the government provides access roads and essential utilities outside the metropolis, developers will follow. That is how to expand supply and make homes affordable again,” he said.
He added that affordability remains directly linked to citizens’ economic stability. “Government cannot hand money to people, but it can create jobs, strengthen businesses, and build an economy where people earn enough to afford decent housing,” he noted.
Graham-Douglas also urged the government to invest in social housing models similar to systems in the United States and United Kingdom, where low-income households access subsidised homes with minimal cost burdens.
On mortgage reform, he stressed the need for long-term, low-interest loans tailored to ordinary Nigerians. “A structured mortgage of about ₦20 million, payable over 20 to 30 years, can help thousands own homes. Mortgage institutions must be regulated to ensure real access,” he said.
He listed inflation, rising construction costs, import duties on building materials, and limited access to land as major challenges constraining developers. Reducing these pressures, he said, would significantly boost affordability and accelerate homeownership.
Turning to the company’s vision, Graham-Douglas described Cavalli Group’s new board as the foundation for stronger governance, innovation, and national impact.
Group Managing Director, Emmanuel Odemayowa, said the transition marks a major turning point for the organisation, ushering in a phase that demands deeper professional rigor and leadership capable of sustaining long-term growth.
