Head of Service Segun Odusanya says high transport and accommodation costs affect workers’ welfare and productivity as the state government highlights its interventions.

Workers in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to provide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and affordable housing to ease financial pressures and improve productivity across the public service.

The Head of Service, Segun Odusanya, made the appeal in Akure during the 2026 Public Service Week celebration.

Odusanya acknowledged the administration’s interventions in workers’ welfare but said transportation and accommodation costs remained major concerns for public servants.

“Transportation has become a major concern for many public servants. Rising commuting costs and difficulties in securing affordable and reliable transport can affect punctuality, attendance and overall productivity,” he said.

He urged the government to consider CNG buses or other affordable mass-transit arrangements for workers across ministries, departments and agencies.

According to him, affordable transport would reduce daily commuting expenses, encourage regular attendance and improve service delivery.

Workers Seek Affordable Housing

Odusanya also called on the state government to develop low-cost housing estates for public servants, citing rising accommodation costs and their impact on workers’ incomes and wellbeing.

“Access to decent and affordable accommodation remains another important concern,” he said.

He proposed housing estates supported by sustainable financing and transparent allocation procedures to complement the state’s existing housing loan scheme.

The Head of Service acknowledged that implementing the proposals would require careful planning and financial resources. However, he said the measures deserved consideration as part of broader public service reforms.

Government Highlights Workers’ Welfare Measures

Odusanya outlined several interventions by the Aiyedatiwa administration aimed at improving workers’ welfare.

He said the government had approved an additional ₦500 million seed fund for housing and vehicle loan schemes. It had also increased loan ceilings and reviewed Duty Tour Allowance rates for official assignments within and outside the state, including foreign trips.

According to him, all officers due for promotion in the 2026 cycle have received their promotion letters, while preparations for the 2027 exercise are underway.

The exercise covers the mainstream civil service, primary and secondary teaching services, and relevant parastatals.

Odusanya added that the government had sustained prompt salary and leave-bonus payments. It had also continued the gradual settlement of inherited gratuity arrears for state and local government pensioners.

He further noted that the government had harmonised pensions for retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries.

Ondo Recruits About 6,000 Personnel

The Head of Service said the state had recruited approximately 6,000 personnel from 2024 to date across various sectors to strengthen service delivery.

He added that appointments to Permanent Secretary positions and other senior offices had continued to reinforce administrative leadership.

The recruitment and appointments form part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the public workforce, according to Odusanya.

However, the proposed transport and housing interventions remain requests from the Head of Service rather than confirmed government programmes.

Public Service Week Features Health Walk, Lecture

Odusanya said activities planned for the 2026 Public Service Week include a health walk, a novelty football match and a public lecture.

The lecture is themed “Harnessing Public Service for Good Governance” and will feature a panel discussion.

The celebration provides an opportunity to recognise public servants and discuss ways to improve the efficiency of government institutions.

The proposed CNG buses and affordable housing estates are among the additional measures workers want the state government to consider as it pursues improved welfare and productivity.

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Akwa Ibom Housing Projects Reach 1,048 Units Across Six Locations

The Akwa Ibom State Government has acquired and earmarked about 150 hectares of land across six locations for housing development, with 1,048 housing units currently at various stages of completion and delivery.

The Commissioner for Housing, Dr Henry Archibong, disclosed this during a ministerial media briefing, explaining that the state’s housing programme under Governor Umo Eno is focused not only on constructing homes but also on developing affordable, sustainable and economically viable communities.

According to Archibong, the housing programme is aligned with the administration’s ARISE Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which promotes inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities.

He said the ministry’s vision was to become a model institution for effective service delivery by promoting operational efficiency and making optimal use of resources to provide decent, quality and affordable housing.

The commissioner explained that the statutory responsibilities of the Ministry of Housing include formulating and implementing policies for the design, construction and maintenance of public buildings, developing residential housing policies, vetting and approving building drawings, valuing buildings for government purposes and managing state-owned properties in Uyo, Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country.

Key housing projects across the state

Archibong identified several major housing projects being implemented by the state government, including Aviation Village Phase 1, Doctors’ Residence at Ibom Medical City, Executive and Legislative Quarters, Judiciary Quarters and the ARISE City Social and Affordable Housing Estate.

The Aviation Village Phase 1 occupies about 15.072 square metres of fenced land and comprises 100 housing units, made up of 50 two-bedroom and 50 three-bedroom apartments.

The project is 98 per cent complete.

Five of the units have already been allocated to the Ministry of Aviation to accommodate officials and visitors from the Federal Ministry of Aviation involved in project supervision.

The estate also has a model primary school, a 70,000-litre water facility with reticulation, a 7.13-kilometre road network, electricity infrastructure, a police station and a solar-powered closed-circuit television system.

Archibong said Governor Eno had directed that a secondary school be included in the second phase of the development.

At Ibom Medical City, the Doctors’ Residence covers 11.8 hectares and comprises 50 three-bedroom bungalows and 50 four-bedroom terrace duplexes.

The development also includes a model school and recreational facilities and is currently about 70 per cent complete.

The Judiciary Quarters, located along Idongesit Nkanga Avenue, Ring Road 3, occupies 6.3 hectares.

The project consists of 50 four-bedroom duplexes, each with two boys’ quarters, as well as a recreational centre and conference hall. It is also about 70 per cent complete.

Other housing interventions

The commissioner also listed several other housing interventions being undertaken by the administration.

These include the 500 ARISE Compassionate Homes programme, of which 438 units have been completed and delivered.

The government has also developed 236 units of flats at Grace Estate, with 150 of the units allocated to civil servants.

Other projects include 35 duplex units at Ewet Luxury Garden and 31 residences for local government chairmen, which are currently under construction.

Earlier reports from the state government had also put the total number of housing units delivered or under development at more than 1,048, including the Compassionate Homes, Grace Estate, Aviation Village, Medical Residences, government quarters, Ewet Luxury Garden and local government chairmen’s residences.

Housing projects create jobs

Archibong said the housing programme was also contributing to economic activity across the state.

According to him, between 5,000 and 6,000 people are benefiting directly and indirectly from the projects through employment and related services.

He said artisans and labourers working on the projects earn between N7,000 and N12,000 daily.

“Housing is both a social intervention and an economic development tool. It is the single most important facilitator of economic growth,” Archibong said.

The commissioner explained that the impact of the projects extended beyond the provision of accommodation because construction activities were generating employment and supporting businesses involved in building materials, transportation, skilled labour and other ancillary services.

Government plans facelift for Ewet Housing Estate

Archibong also disclosed that Governor Eno had constituted a committee to assess the Ewet Housing Estate and recommend measures to improve its physical condition and security architecture.

He said the committee had completed its assessment and submitted its report to the government.

The intervention is expected to address concerns around the estate’s infrastructure and security while improving the overall living environment for residents.

Government seeks stronger housing partnerships

Despite the number of projects underway, Archibong acknowledged that the state still faced a significant housing deficit.

He said government could not address the challenge alone and would therefore continue to strengthen collaboration with mortgage institutions, professional bodies and private developers.

The partnerships are expected to improve access to housing finance and support the expansion of affordable housing supply across the state.

The commissioner said the government’s approach was to combine public-sector housing interventions with private-sector participation and stronger financing mechanisms to reach more residents.

The state’s housing programme forms part of the wider ARISE Agenda, with the government positioning housing development as both a social welfare intervention and a means of stimulating economic activity.

With about 150 hectares earmarked across six locations and 1,048 housing units at various stages of development or delivery, the administration is continuing to expand its housing programme while seeking additional partnerships to address the state’s housing needs.

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Rising Rents Push Asaba Residents Deeper Into Housing Hardship

Residents of Asaba, Delta State, are facing increasing difficulty securing and retaining decent accommodation as rising rents, inflation, stagnant incomes and the wider cost-of-living crisis put greater pressure on household finances.

Asaba has continued to expand, with new roads, businesses and construction projects changing the city’s landscape. The state capital has also attracted people seeking employment, education, trade and better economic opportunities.

But behind the growth, many residents are struggling to keep up with the cost of housing.

For some households, finding accommodation has moved beyond a normal financial responsibility and become an annual struggle involving difficult choices between rent, food, transportation, school fees, electricity and healthcare.

A 2025 report on the State of Lagos Housing Market cited in the report indicated that rent could consume between 50 and 70 per cent of household income in some cases, reflecting the growing affordability challenge facing Nigerian households.

Residents also face additional costs from estate agents, legal fees and other charges, meaning the amount required to secure a property can be significantly higher than the advertised rent.

In parts of Asaba, a one-bedroom apartment can cost between N700,000 and N1m annually, while larger apartments command higher rents.

For workers whose earnings have not increased at the same rate as inflation, the cost of accommodation can consume a substantial portion of their income.

Workers struggle to keep up with rent increases

Ella, a civil servant living in Ugbolu, said she previously paid N400,000 annually for a three-bedroom apartment but now pays N700,000.

Her salary, however, has not increased by a similar margin, leaving less money available for savings and other family needs.

For Okafor Ikechukwu, a commercial tricycle operator and family breadwinner, the situation has become even more difficult.

His annual rent increased from N150,000 to N360,000, while his income did not rise accordingly. On some days, he said, he works for several hours without getting enough passengers.

Much of his earnings goes towards feeding his family, leaving little available for rent savings.

He said that while he was previously able to pay his rent once a year, he now sometimes has to make payments in instalments because raising the full amount at once is difficult.

Artisans are also feeling the pressure.

Paul Edward, a professional plumber who has worked in Asaba for more than 20 years and chairs the Plumbers Association, said his annual rent had increased from N145,000 to N450,000.

He said that after paying school fees, feeding his family and meeting other household expenses, saving enough money for rent had become increasingly difficult.

According to Edward, some artisans have resorted to living in unfinished buildings because they can no longer afford decent accommodation.

Owen Marvellous, a married commercial tricycle operator and father, said his housing needs changed after he started a family.

He explained that living in a single room was more manageable before marriage, but having a wife and children meant he needed a larger apartment.

The cost of moving into a bigger home, however, has become increasingly difficult to bear.

He said one-bedroom apartments can cost between N700,000 and N1m annually in some parts of Asaba, while agency and other charges add further pressure to prospective tenants.

Single mothers face additional housing pressure

For Doris, a single mother with one child, the housing challenge goes beyond rent.

She lives in a one-room apartment affected by poor drainage and flooding, making living conditions difficult.

Her concerns increased when her landlord threatened to remove the roof of the building during the rainy season.

Doris said she was terrified by the possibility of being left without a roof over her head.

She also faced the prospect of receiving a quit notice and, at one point, had to borrow money to raise enough funds to remain in her accommodation.

For a single-income household, the loss of accommodation could create wider consequences for the stability and security of the family.

Commercial rents squeeze businesses

The pressure is not limited to residential accommodation. Business owners are also dealing with increasing commercial rents.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel, who has been in the plumbing materials business for 15 years, said shops in Asaba now cost between N1m and N1.5m annually, depending on location and other factors.

He explained that when commercial rent is combined with residential accommodation, transportation, electricity, staff salaries and other operating costs, business owners can end up spending most of their earnings simply to remain in operation.

According to him, some entrepreneurs are now using money that would otherwise have gone into expanding their businesses to cover operating expenses.

Others, he said, have been forced to shut down after years of trading because the cost of maintaining their businesses became unsustainable.

Precious, a fashion designer in Okpanam, said rising shop costs had also affected her business.

She said that when a customer brings work worth N10,000, she may accept the amount without negotiating because she needs the money to meet her growing expenses.

“Rent keeps increasing, but my income has not increased at the same pace,” she said.

Housing demand outpaces supply

Estate agents in Asaba said the rental market had changed considerably in recent years.

Anthony, an estate agent with 12 years of experience in the city, said the market began changing significantly around 2023 as Asaba’s population grew and infrastructure improved.

According to him, demand for accommodation increased while the supply of available homes did not grow at the same pace.

Another estate agent, Gozie, attributed part of the increase in rents to higher construction costs.

He said the cost of building materials, labour, transportation and other development expenses had increased, with developers passing some of the additional costs on to tenants through higher rents.

Okolie Alexander, a building materials dealer, also said construction commodities had become more expensive.

He attributed the increases to fuel costs, transportation expenses, government policies and international economic conditions.

Economist links rent crisis to supply gap

Prof Anthony Monye-Emina, Head of the Department of Economics at Dennis Osadebay University, identified the imbalance between housing demand and supply as a major factor behind the rising rents.

He said Asaba was attracting more residents but affordable housing was not being developed quickly enough to meet the growing demand.

According to him, inflation has worsened the situation because the prices of goods and services continue to rise while wages do not automatically increase at the same pace.

As a result, households are forced to devote a larger share of their earnings to basic needs, leaving less money for savings, investments and emergencies.

Solomon Eyikwe, Chairman of the Asaba Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, said Nigeria’s largely market-driven housing system gives private property owners significant control over rental prices.

He also pointed to exchange-rate fluctuations and inflation as factors that have increased the cost of imported building materials and property development.

Samuel Ekiyor, a married resident and father, expressed concern that continued increases in rent could eventually make it difficult for many workers to afford to live in Asaba.

Developing rural areas could ease pressure on cities

Monye-Emina said part of the response to rising urban housing demand should involve developing rural communities.

He argued that better roads, healthcare, schools and economic opportunities in rural areas could reduce the pressure driving people into cities such as Asaba.

According to him, reducing the need for people to move into urban centres could help moderate pressure on available housing.

The housing situation has broader consequences because accommodation costs affect household welfare, business operations and residents’ ability to save or invest.

The experiences of civil servants, artisans, commercial tricycle operators, traders, business owners and single parents in Asaba show how rising housing costs are affecting different categories of residents.

For many of them, the demand is not for luxury accommodation but for a decent home that can be sustained alongside other basic household expenses.

As rents continue to rise, residents are increasingly being forced to reduce spending, postpone plans, use instalment payments, borrow money or consider cheaper accommodation options.

The situation has also raised concerns about the ability of workers and small businesses to remain in the city as accommodation and operating costs continue to increase.

For many residents, a home that should provide security and stability is increasingly becoming another source of financial uncertainty.

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ShafDB Launches FCFA60bn Bond to Finance Affordable Housing in West Africa

Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) has launched a FCFA60 billion sustainable bond, equivalent to about $100 million, to mobilise local-currency funding for affordable and sustainable housing projects across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region.

The issuance, launched on October 7, 2026, is the development bank’s first sustainable bond and is intended to expand access to long-term financing for housing projects while strengthening the use of local capital markets in West Africa.

The transaction is being arranged by CGF Bourse Dakar as Lead Arranger, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Ecobank Group, through Ecobank Senegal, serving as anchor investors.

The bond is structured in two tranches. The five-year tranche carries an interest rate of 6.10 per cent, while the seven-year tranche has a rate of 6.30 per cent. The subscription period runs from October 7 to October 30, 2026.

ShafDB Director of Treasury, Nabil Mahfoudh, said the transaction was designed not only to raise capital but also to create a more diversified and resilient financing platform for housing and urban development across Africa.

He said expanding the bank’s presence in West African capital markets would help connect local savings with housing and urban development needs while allowing financing to be provided in the same currency in which local developers generate their income.

Focus on local-currency housing finance

The bond comes as the WAEMU housing market continues to face a significant housing deficit. Estimates cited in the announcement put the regional shortfall at about 3.5 million housing units, with nearly 250,000 additional homes needed each year to keep pace with population growth and urbanisation.

ShafDB said the proceeds are expected to support affordable, sustainable and energy-efficient housing projects in the region.

The bank also highlighted the importance of financing projects in local currency. By matching the currency of project financing with the currency in which housing projects generate revenue, developers can reduce their exposure to foreign-exchange risks, particularly for medium- and long-term investments.

The approach is intended to strengthen the connection between local capital markets and the housing sector while improving the availability of long-term funding for developers and housing-related projects.

Sustainable financing framework

In preparation for the issuance, ShafDB worked with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to develop and publish its Sustainable Financing Framework.

The framework received a favourable opinion from S&P Global, which the bank said strengthened the credibility and transparency of its sustainable finance approach and its alignment with applicable principles for green and social financial instruments.

The transaction also received regulatory approval from the Autorité des Marchés Financiers de l’UMOA (AMF-UMOA), marking another step in the launch of the bond.

Mobilising African savings

The bond issuance forms part of wider efforts under the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), as reflected in the Abidjan Consensus, to increase the mobilisation of African savings and deepen capital markets across the continent.

The initiative seeks to encourage greater use of domestic and regional resources to finance Africa’s development priorities, including affordable housing, urban infrastructure and sustainable development.

ShafDB has previously accessed African capital markets through multiple bond issuances. The development bank said it has completed 11 bond issuances across different African markets.

Its most recent issuance took place in Nigeria in April 2022, when it raised N46 billion, equivalent to approximately $110 million at the time.

The bank said its latest transaction reinforces its intention to play a larger role in mobilising African capital for housing and urban development.

ShafDB is a pan-African multilateral development bank focused on financing housing, urban development and related infrastructure. It operates across 44 African shareholder countries and provides financing and advisory solutions covering areas including mortgage finance, housing microfinance, housing funds, mortgage refinancing and rent-to-own markets.

Through the FCFA60 billion sustainable bond, the institution is seeking to expand local-currency financing for housing in West Africa while supporting projects that combine affordability, sustainability and energy efficiency.

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Kwara Inaugurates 464-Unit Housing Estate in Ijagbo

The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a 464-unit housing estate in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area, as part of efforts to expand access to decent and affordable housing in the state.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq inaugurated the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate on Tuesday. The governor was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola.

The estate consists of 210 two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 three-bedroom units and 54 four-bedroom terrace duplexes.

AbdulRazaq said the Morire City Project demonstrated what could be achieved when government creates an enabling environment for private sector investment in housing.

He noted that the decision by the developer to name the estate after him was an acknowledgement of his administration’s contributions to mass housing development in Kwara.

The governor also highlighted reforms introduced in the state’s land administration system, saying they had reduced the processing period for a Certificate of Occupancy from about 180 days to 35 days.

He said the reforms were part of the government’s broader commitment to making land administration more transparent, efficient and responsive to investors and residents.

According to him, the state government had prioritised housing development and recognised access to decent and affordable housing as important to the wellbeing of residents.

AbdulRazaq said the commitment was also reflected in the development of the Kwara Smart City and other mass housing projects across the state.

He added that the government had worked to improve access to land, facilitate the prompt issuance of land titles and Certificates of Occupancy, and provide timely approvals for property and mortgage transactions.

“These reforms have produced measurable results,” the governor said, noting that about 600 Certificates of Occupancy had recently been approved and signed since the land administration reforms were implemented.

He said the previous system could take up to 180 days or longer to process applications, while the streamlined process now takes about 35 days.

AbdulRazaq said the shorter turnaround time demonstrated the administration’s efforts to create a more investor-friendly land administration system and support housing development.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of ISHI Homes, Dr Olayinka Ilufoye, said the project was designed to broaden access to homeownership and make decent housing more accessible to residents of Kwara South Senatorial District.

Ilufoye said the estate was targeted at civil servants, traders and other Nigerians who could access the housing through the National Housing Fund.

He explained that the name “AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire” translates to “I have seen goodness” and was chosen to represent the developers’ faith, hope and expectation for the project.

He said the company expected the estate to become a symbol of prosperity, progress and abundance in Kwara South.

Ilufoye also pledged the company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, quality construction and timely delivery.

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service, Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem, commended the state government for its efforts to improve access to land and facilitate the prompt issuance of titles and Certificates of Occupancy.

Abdulkareem said the government’s timely approval of mortgage transactions was also helping to create the conditions required for housing development to grow in the state.

The inauguration adds another private-sector-led housing development to Kwara’s wider housing programme, which includes the state’s efforts to improve land administration, expand housing supply and attract investment into the sector.

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President John Dramani Mahama is expected to open Ghana’s two-day National Conference on Housing Finance in Accra on October 7, with stakeholders set to examine innovative financing mechanisms for expanding access to adequate and affordable housing.

The conference, organised by the National Homeownership Fund (NHF), will be held under the theme, “Adequate Housing for All: Innovative Financing for Ghana’s Housing Future.”

Mahama, who is the Guest of Honour, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening session of the conference.

The event will bring together representatives from government, financial institutions, the private sector, development institutions, civil society, academia and local government to discuss the challenges affecting housing finance in Ghana.

The conference comes amid persistent difficulties in Ghana’s housing sector, including rising construction costs, limited access to long-term financing, high mortgage rates and affordability constraints.

According to the National Homeownership Fund, these challenges continue to prevent many households from accessing adequate housing.

The two-day event will therefore focus on how capital can be mobilised and deployed more effectively to increase housing opportunities, particularly for low- and middle-income households.

Participants are also expected to examine the current state of Ghana’s housing finance ecosystem and consider financing models that could improve access to sustainable and affordable housing.

Stakeholders to examine housing finance reforms

The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Bank of Ghana and Shelter Afrique Development Bank.

Financial institutions, labour unions and private-sector stakeholders are also expected to participate in the discussions.

The organisers said the conference would seek to move the housing finance conversation beyond policy discussions by identifying practical financing solutions, institutional reforms and partnerships that could support Ghana’s housing sector.

The event is expected to end with a policy outcomes communiqué containing recommendations to guide housing policy, implementation and resource mobilisation.

Focus on affordable housing finance

The conference forms part of activities marking World Habitat Day 2026, which highlights the condition of human settlements and the importance of adequate housing to inclusive and sustainable development.

The National Homeownership Fund said the conference reflects Ghana’s effort to strengthen the systems, institutions and financing mechanisms needed to make adequate and affordable housing more accessible.

The Fund, a government-backed housing finance institution, was established to support affordable homeownership and contribute to the development of Ghana’s housing finance ecosystem.

Through partnerships with government institutions, financial institutions, housing developers and other stakeholders, the NHF seeks to develop sustainable financing solutions that can make homeownership more accessible to Ghanaians.

Housing finance challenges

Earlier in September, NHF Chief Executive Officer Prosper Hoetu said the conference would focus on structural barriers that have limited access to decent and affordable housing, particularly for low- and middle-income households.

The 2024 Ghana Housing Profile estimated the country’s housing deficit at approximately 1.8 million units, while more than 30 per cent of the existing housing stock was considered inadequate.

Hoetu said only about five per cent of Ghanaians could independently afford a home, while 60 per cent required some form of government assistance and 35 per cent required social housing.

He identified limited access to long-term financing, high interest rates, short loan tenures, land administration challenges and inefficiencies in housing delivery as major barriers to homeownership.

According to him, Ghana’s mortgage-to-GDP ratio remained below 0.3 per cent, while mortgage interest rates often exceeded 30 per cent, making formal housing finance difficult for many low- and middle-income households to access.

The conference is consequently expected to examine measures including reducing mortgage rates, extending loan tenures, developing local-currency mortgage products, expanding access to finance for informal-sector workers and attracting long-term capital into the housing market.

Construction and green housing also on agenda

Discussions will also cover financing challenges facing housing developers, including high borrowing costs, limited access to long-term capital, difficulties with land titling and perceived project risks.

Four thematic panel discussions are expected to focus on mortgage financing, construction financing, climate and green housing, and informal and social housing.

An exhibition will also provide an opportunity for financial institutions, developers, technology providers and development partners to showcase housing finance products, green-building technologies and affordable housing projects.

The NHF expects the conference to produce shared commitments, new or revised affordable housing loan products, a technical working group on green affordable housing finance and a roadmap for operationalising its homebuyer database and offtake guarantee framework.

A follow-up review of the outcomes is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

The conference is therefore expected to place housing finance at the centre of discussions on Ghana’s efforts to expand housing supply and improve access to homeownership for households across different income groups.

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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.

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Spain’s housing crisis has become the central issue behind Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s decision to call a snap general election for November 29.

The decision followed parliament’s rejection of two government-backed housing measures aimed at easing pressure on renters and strengthening protections for vulnerable tenants. 

The measures were defeated on Friday after the conservative Popular Party, Vox and Catalan party Junts voted against them. The proposals included stronger protections against evictions, regulation of temporary and room rentals, and measures targeting rising rental costs. 

Housing Protests Spread Across Spain

The parliamentary defeat came amid nationwide protests over rising rents, housing shortages and tenant insecurity.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid and other cities, while protesters established a tent camp in central Madrid demanding urgent government action on housing. 

The protests were intensified by the case of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for about 70 years.

Her eviction became a focal point for campaigners highlighting rising rents and the difficulties faced by tenants struggling to remain in their homes. 

Spain Faces Rising Housing Costs

Housing affordability has become a major issue as rents and property prices have increased while the supply of affordable homes remains limited.

Reuters reported that Spain faces a projected housing deficit of about one million homes by 2028, while affordability has become particularly difficult for younger adults. 

The crisis has also exposed differences over how Spain should respond.

While Sánchez’s government has backed stronger tenant protections and restrictions affecting the rental market, the opposition Popular Party has argued for increasing housing construction and easing planning restrictions. 

Housing Now Dominates Political Debate

Sánchez said the country needs broader political support to advance his programme, announcing the November 29 election after the housing measures failed in parliament. 

The election will now put housing policy at the centre of Spain’s national political debate, with questions over rents, new housing supply, tenant protection and access to affordable accommodation likely to remain major issues.

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The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Kogi State Chapter, has called for practical action to address Nigeria’s housing challenges, urging professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders to promote affordable housing and greater use of indigenous building materials.

The call was made at the 2026 World Architecture Day and Annual General Meeting of the NIA, Kogi State Chapter, where stakeholders examined ways of translating the recognition of housing as a human right into practical housing solutions.

The Chairman of the Occasion, Arc. Kayode Oloninisi, Ph.D, FNIA, said the theme of the celebration, “Housing is a Human Right. Build It,” provided an opportunity for architects and other built-environment professionals to move beyond discussions and focus on solutions that could deliver decent, affordable and accessible homes to Nigerians.

Oloninisi, who was represented at the event by Associate Professor Okwenya Sunday, Head of the Department of Architecture at the Federal University Lokoja, said adequate housing was fundamental to human welfare and national development.

He noted that housing, alongside food and clothing, remained one of the basic needs of humanity, providing physical protection while also contributing to health, dignity, emotional security and overall wellbeing.

According to him, the theme adopted by the International Union of Architects (UIA) also reinforces the recognition of adequate housing under international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Oloninisi commended the Kogi State Chapter of the NIA for designing a programme that examined practical architectural, planning, financing and policy approaches to the housing challenges facing residents of the state.

He also praised the chapter for bringing together professionals to examine the theme from different perspectives and encouraged participants to use the event to strengthen professional development, networking and collaboration within the built environment.

Architects push indigenous building materials

The call for practical action was reinforced by the Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIA, Arc. John O. Attah, MNIA.

Attah said the chapter deliberately selected the theme, “Exploiting Indigenous Building Techniques and Materials as a Sustainable Solution to our Housing Deficit,” to draw attention to the potential of locally available resources in addressing Nigeria’s housing shortage.

He argued that Nigeria could no longer afford excessive dependence on imported building materials while millions of Nigerians continued to face difficulties accessing affordable housing.

According to him, the country has abundant raw materials that can be developed and used in construction through stronger collaboration between government, academic institutions, researchers, professionals, private investors and local communities.

He identified stabilised compressed earth blocks, bamboo composites, laterite-based finishes and pozzolana among the indigenous or locally adaptable technologies and materials that could help reduce construction costs while responding to Nigeria’s climatic and economic conditions.

Attah said the wider adoption of such materials could also generate economic benefits beyond housing.

He said local production could create employment opportunities for young people and artisans, support local manufacturing, expand mining and processing value chains, stimulate economic activity and reduce pressure on foreign exchange.

He therefore called on architects to take the lead in promoting indigenous construction solutions.

According to him, professionals should engage government on policies that support local materials, work with academic institutions on research, encourage private-sector investment and involve communities in accepting and adopting locally developed construction technologies.

Attah also assured that the Kogi State Chapter would continue to promote sustainable, affordable and locally driven housing solutions.

He urged architects to design, specify and supervise the appropriate use of indigenous materials in construction projects.

Housing costs remain a major concern

The discussions at the event come amid wider concerns over the rising cost of housing construction in Nigeria.

Stakeholders in the housing sector have repeatedly linked high construction costs to expensive building materials, limited access to affordable finance and other development constraints.

Earlier housing-sector discussions have similarly called for greater adoption of locally produced materials, arguing that increased local production could reduce construction costs, conserve foreign exchange and create jobs.

The use of indigenous materials has also been identified as an important part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported construction inputs.

The Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute has previously developed materials and technologies including pozzolana, interlocking block-making machines and fibre-reinforced roofing materials, although commercialisation and mass production have remained challenges.

The NIA’s Kogi Chapter is therefore calling for stronger links between research, policy, investment and actual construction so that locally developed technologies can move beyond research and pilot stages into wider housing delivery.

Five professionals examine housing solutions

The World Architecture Day programme featured presentations and discussions involving five professionals who examined the housing theme from different perspectives.

They included Arc. Dr. Mohammad Adamu, MNIA; Arc. Isah Obenege Suleiman, MNIA; Arc. Dr. Jibrin Olanusi, MNIA; Bdr. Adoke Ismaila Ibrahim, MNIOB; and Bdr. Aisha Oruma-Sylvanus, MNIOB.

Oloninisi encouraged participants to engage with the presentations and discussions and use the platform to develop collaborations that could contribute to improvements in the built environment.

The discussions ultimately centred on the need to turn the recognition of housing as a basic human need into practical delivery strategies.

For the NIA Kogi State Chapter, that includes promoting indigenous construction technologies, strengthening local production and encouraging policies and investment that can make decent housing more affordable to Nigerians.

The post NIA Calls for Wider Use of Local Materials to Cut Housing Costs appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory have called on the FCT Administration to establish a dedicated housing scheme for educators, saying the high cost of accommodation in Abuja is putting increasing pressure on their welfare and morale.

The appeal was made by the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), FCT Chapter, during the joint national celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day in Abuja.

The FCT chairman of ASUSS, Julius Ogundiran, said the housing challenge had become a major concern for teachers despite the prompt payment of salaries by the FCT Administration.

He said some teachers were being forced to travel long distances from neighbouring states to their workplaces because they could not afford accommodation within the Federal Capital Territory. Others, he said, had resorted to sleeping in school classrooms.

“Most of our colleagues, even in Garki here, are coming from Suleja or Abaji, and some are even sleeping in classrooms because they can’t afford houses in town,” Ogundiran said.

He urged the FCT Administration to either construct dedicated housing estates for teachers or make subsidised land available to them across the six area councils.

According to Ogundiran, providing housing support would improve teachers’ welfare and help them perform their responsibilities more effectively.

He said teachers were not politicians and did not have alternative sources of revenue, stressing that government intervention was necessary to address the accommodation burden.

“If they can provide housing estates for teachers, we will be more motivated and well-equipped to perform our duties,” he said.

High accommodation costs affect teachers

Ogundiran acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the FCT Administration in the education sector and specifically noted that teachers’ salaries were being paid promptly.

However, he said the shortage and high cost of housing remained a significant impediment to teacher welfare.

The union’s position was that housing support should form part of wider measures to improve the working conditions of teachers in the territory.

The appeal comes as housing affordability remains a major challenge for workers in Abuja, where accommodation costs have continued to place pressure on household incomes.

For teachers living outside the FCT, the cost of commuting also adds to the financial burden associated with working in the capital.

Ogundiran linked better teacher welfare with improved educational outcomes, arguing that teachers who have adequate living conditions would be better positioned to carry out their responsibilities.

“If the government stands with the teachers, the teachers will be strong. If the teachers are strong, education will be strong. If education is strong, the nation will be strong,” he said.

He also referred to the common expression that the reward of teachers is in heaven, saying teachers should be able to enjoy better conditions during their working years.

Teacher raises concerns over welfare

Also speaking at the event, Grace Philip, a teacher at Junior Secondary School, Tungan Maje, expressed concern over what she described as the marginalisation of teachers.

“In everything they are doing in this country, teachers always come last,” she said.

Philip also raised concerns over delays in the promotion of FCT teachers and called on the authorities to pay greater attention to the challenges facing educators working at the grassroots.

The concerns raised by the teachers extend beyond accommodation to other aspects of employment and professional welfare.

FG reaffirms commitment to teachers

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development and funding for education.

Bagudu, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Kikelomo Ogundele, described investment in teachers as an important investment in Nigeria’s future.

He said no structural or policy reform in the education sector could succeed without well-trained, motivated and adequately supported teachers.

According to him, teachers play a central role in developing human capital and preparing young Nigerians to contribute to the country’s development.

“They do far more than transmit knowledge; they shape characters, nurture talents, inspire ambition, and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bagudu said.

The chairman of the occasion, Oluwaseun Falaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, also called on leaders in educational institutions and workplaces to promote ethical conduct, transparency and accountability.

Falaye, who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdul, said teachers’ contribution to nation-building went beyond classroom instruction.

He said effective leadership required integrity, accountability, fairness, responsibility and discipline.

The event therefore highlighted housing and broader welfare concerns affecting teachers, with ASUSS urging the FCT Administration to consider dedicated housing estates or subsidised land as part of efforts to improve teachers’ living and working conditions.

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