Mud, timber, and bamboo have been identified as viable, low-cost alternatives to Nigeria’s expensive and mostly imported building materials. Experts say adopting these local resources could significantly reduce construction costs and close the country’s widening housing deficit.
Sanmi Olowosile, Chairman of the Sustainable Green Environment Initiative, made the call during the 2025 Sustainable Building Conference. He emphasized that with proper treatment, bamboo’s tensile strength can rival steel, while also offering sustainability benefits.
“Bamboo regenerates within 18 months, absorbs carbon, and can create thousands of jobs if policies are put in place to support large-scale use,” Olowosile noted. He cited Rwanda’s Climate Fund as an example of how proactive policy can attract substantial international funding for green development.
Architect George, another speaker at the event, urged the government to improve road and rail networks to help decongest urban centers and make affordable housing in surrounding areas more accessible.
A recent poll highlighted the urgency of such measures, revealing that 72 percent of Nigerian workers spend about 40 percent of their income or four to six months’ salary on rent.
Source: BusinessDay
By: Chuka Uroko
