Valuers Urge FG to Ease Land Access, Expand Infrastructure to Cut Housing Deficit

Estate surveyors and valuers have called on the Federal Government to make land more accessible and increase infrastructure development as part of measures to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, which they estimate at more than 21 million units.

The professionals also urged increased investment in housing, particularly for low- and middle-income earners, while stressing the importance of reliable national data for property valuation, infrastructure planning and broader economic development.

The calls were made on Thursday at the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria Valuers Assembly in Abuja, where professionals discussed challenges affecting the housing sector and the contribution of estate surveyors and valuers to national development.

The President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Bature Muhammad, said greater access to land would enable more Nigerians to develop their own homes rather than depend entirely on government-built housing.

Muhammad said the government could also adopt site-and-services schemes by opening up land, providing basic infrastructure such as roads, demarcating plots and making the serviced plots available to individuals for construction.

He added that government should continue to build housing units to complement efforts by individuals and private developers.

“The issue of housing deficit in Nigeria has been a recurring decimal. Each year, 2 million, 20 million, 30 million,” Muhammad said, while outlining the measures he believed could help address the problem.

He said increasing access to land should be one of the priorities.

“Government can equally enter into the issue of site and services scheme, where government opens up land, constructs roads and demarcates those plots, and gives it to people to construct. Another issue is for government to build more housing,” he said.

Muhammad also acknowledged the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, noting that housing construction had commenced in several states under the programme.

He said continued implementation of the scheme could contribute to reducing the housing deficit.

“We’re happy that the current administration, through its Renewed Hope housing scheme, has started that line of action, building 200, 300, 1,000 in so many states of the federation. So, if that will continue, that will go a long way in alleviating the housing deficit that we are currently facing in the country,” he said.

Professionals identify policy, economic and data challenges

Muhammad identified government policies, economic conditions and inadequate data as some of the factors affecting the housing sector.

He said better data was particularly important because property valuation and decisions on national assets require accurate and comprehensive information.

“The basic issue is government policies sometimes, and the economic factors of the country. Another issue is data. Data assemblage,” he said.

According to him, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, working with the relevant board, was exploring ways to develop reliable data that could be used for valuation and other national purposes.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to establish a consolidated national database that could support government planning, infrastructure development and valuation activities.

“It is high time for us in Nigeria to have consolidated data for everything that we need to do, which will equally assist the government in planning so many things. Even this infrastructure that we are doing, it needs data,” Muhammad said.

He also pointed to the need for government to continue opening up new areas for development and making land available to people.

Muhammad said access to land remained difficult for many Nigerians and urged government to reduce the obstacles involved in acquiring land.

He said more Nigerians would be able to construct homes if they could obtain land more easily, while government could concentrate on expanding medium- and low-income housing.

“The future is always very bright for the ordinary Nigerian. If you look at it now, in Abuja, so many areas, so many frontiers are being opened. We, the professionals, advise the government to make land available. To ease access to land for so many people to get,” he said.

He added that while government continues working to improve access to land, it should also sustain the construction of affordable housing.

“To see that there is still land and people get access to land. Because when more people get access to land, they can go and build rather than waiting for the government. So, while the people are having access to land, the government should continue to build medium- and low-income housing,” he said.

Surveyors seek massive infrastructure investment

The Acting Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Aminu Waziri, called for increased infrastructure development, particularly in satellite communities around major cities.

Waziri said the housing deficit and weaknesses in asset valuation had significant implications for the Nigerian economy.

“When you look at the housing deficit alone, that is over 21 million or thereabouts, and other components of it, but when you look at the total of the loss in terms of non-application of the proper asset valuation in our national economy, the sum is really much, but it runs up to about 30 trillion,” he said.

He said large-scale infrastructure development would make satellite communities more attractive to developers and encourage both public and private investment in housing.

“To reduce the deficit, there has to be massive infrastructural development, especially within the satellite areas of our major cities, because that’s where most of this impact is felt,” Waziri said.

He explained that better infrastructure would create conditions for housing developers to expand their activities.

“When you have a lot of infrastructural development, both public and private housing developers will come in to provide the necessary housing infrastructure, and this will help us greatly in bridging the housing deficit,” he added.

Valuers seek stronger professional training

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Education Committee of the Estate Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria and Board Member of the International Valuation Standards Council, Uche Egwuatu, called for greater investment in training and capacity building for estate surveyors and valuers.

Egwuatu said the global nature of the profession meant that Nigerian practitioners needed to broaden their knowledge and remain familiar with developments in international valuation practice.

“The world is a global village and that doesn’t exclude Estate Surveying and Valuation practice. And as Estate Surveyors and Valuers, we need to enlarge our scope in terms of our training, capacity building and being part of what is happening globally,” she said.

She said the Estate Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria was creating opportunities for professionals to participate in international valuation standard-setting processes.

According to her, the board’s membership of the international valuation body helps Nigerian practitioners remain connected to global developments in the profession.

Egwuatu also noted that international valuation standards had been incorporated into Nigeria’s Green Book, helping to align local valuation practices with international standards.

She urged individual valuers to take advantage of professional development opportunities, including events such as the Valuers Assembly, to improve their knowledge and keep pace with developments affecting the industry.

Board reviews valuation education

Egwuatu further disclosed that the board was working to improve valuation education in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

She said the board regulates estate management education in academic institutions through accreditation visits aimed at ensuring that courses and training reflect current industry requirements.

She stressed that students being prepared for careers in valuation needed to acquire knowledge that would enable them to respond to practical valuation challenges in society.

“The board has started trying to unbundle the valuation education because the board also regulates estate management education in the academic institutions through its accreditation visitations to be sure that what is being taught in the academic institutions complies with or reflects what is happening in the industry,” she said.

Egwuatu added that the goal was to ensure that future valuers were properly equipped with current knowledge and professional skills needed to address valuation problems and contribute effectively to the property sector.

The professionals’ recommendations come as Nigeria continues to face a substantial housing shortage, with improved land access, infrastructure provision, housing investment and reliable property data identified as key areas requiring attention.

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AceRoyal Unveils 1,000-Home Villa Nova Estate in Abijo

AceRoyal Estates, a subsidiary of AceRoyal Group, has launched Villa Nova, a master-planned residential community featuring 1,000 villa-style bungalows in Abijo, Lagos.

The development is designed to expand access to homeownership through secure and fully titled properties, structured financing and delivery guarantees, with the broader objective of contributing to efforts to address Nigeria’s housing deficit. 

Villa Nova offers two-bedroom, three-bedroom and five-bedroom bungalow configurations within a fully secured and professionally managed environment.

According to AceRoyal Estates, the project was developed in response to some of the longstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s real estate sector, particularly land title disputes, delays in project completion and inadequate infrastructure.

The company said the development is built around a three-way structure involving government support, banking participation and private-sector development execution.

Under the arrangement, the Lagos State Government provides backing for the land title and supporting infrastructure at the site, while Nova Bank serves as the project’s primary financial partner.

The bank is providing structured mortgage plans for qualified homebuyers. The financing arrangement also includes a full refund guarantee for eligible buyers if the developer fails to meet the scheduled delivery timelines. 

Project Built Around Title, Financing and Delivery

The Villa Nova development places three key elements at the centre of its model: verified land title, access to structured mortgage financing and accountability for delivery.

AceRoyal Estates said aligning government support, institutional financing and private development execution from the beginning is intended to address some of the concerns that prospective property buyers face when purchasing homes.

The company said the structure is also designed to improve buyer confidence in large-scale residential developments across Lagos State.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of AceRoyal Estates, Dr. Endurance Cletus Agonor, described Villa Nova as an example of the company’s approach to discipline and accountability in residential development.

Agonor said the project involved building 1,000 homes to a common standard while ensuring that land title, financing and project execution were aligned from the beginning.

He said the company intends the development to establish a standard for what homebuyers should expect from property developers in Nigeria. 

Structured Mortgages for Qualified Buyers

Mortgage financing is a major component of the Villa Nova proposition.

Through Nova Bank’s participation in the project, qualified buyers can access structured mortgage plans to finance their homes.

The arrangement is intended to reduce the need for prospective homeowners to provide the entire purchase price upfront and provide a financing structure through which eligible buyers can spread the cost of acquiring their homes.

The delivery guarantee is another component of the model.

AceRoyal Estates said eligible buyers would be protected by a full refund guarantee if the developer fails to meet agreed delivery timelines, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

The company said the combination of title security, financing and delivery accountability is intended to address three major concerns in the property market: whether the land is properly titled, whether buyers can access sustainable financing and whether purchased homes will be delivered as promised. 

Large-Scale Housing Development in Lagos

Villa Nova represents a move by AceRoyal Estates into large-scale residential development, with the project planned as a single master-planned community rather than a collection of individually developed properties.

The development comes as Lagos continues to experience strong demand for residential accommodation, particularly along emerging growth corridors where housing developments are expanding.

The broader housing challenge extends beyond simply increasing the number of units available.

For prospective homeowners, factors including financing, land documentation, infrastructure and project delivery can determine whether a property purchase ultimately results in actual homeownership.

Villa Nova has been structured around these issues, with the developer seeking to combine housing supply with financing and delivery assurances. 

BusinessDay previously reported that Nigeria’s effective housing deficit could approach 28 million units when structurally deficient and substandard housing is included alongside the official deficit figure. Lagos is among the country’s areas facing significant housing demand, with population growth, urbanisation and limited available land adding pressure to the market. 

AceRoyal Group’s Real Estate Expansion

Founded in 2016, AceRoyal Group is a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in real estate, construction, financial services and hospitality, as well as an expanding international presence.

Its real estate subsidiary, AceRoyal Estates, focuses on property development and on expanding access to property ownership through residential and other real estate projects.

The company also operates in areas including land sales, commercial developments, estate and facility management, real estate investment advisory, valuation, surveying, property documentation and regularisation.

AceRoyal Estates has previously undertaken residential projects, including Eko Paragon Residence, a 105-unit development delivered in partnership with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.

The company currently operates across Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Enugu and Edo, according to information provided about its operations.

What Villa Nova Offers

The Villa Nova project offers buyers a choice of two-bedroom, three-bedroom and five-bedroom bungalow configurations.

The homes are planned within a gated and professionally managed community, while the project structure includes land-title support, mortgage financing for qualified buyers and delivery guarantees.

The development therefore combines the physical delivery of residential units with financial and documentation arrangements intended to give buyers greater certainty throughout the acquisition process.

For AceRoyal Estates, the project provides an opportunity to demonstrate whether this integrated approach can be implemented successfully across a 1,000-home development.

For Lagos, the project adds another large-scale residential development to the state’s expanding housing pipeline at a time when demand for homes continues to put pressure on available supply.

The success of the development will ultimately depend on the execution of the project, delivery of the planned homes and the ability of qualified buyers to access the financing and other arrangements attached to the development.

The post AceRoyal Unveils 1,000-Home Villa Nova Estate in Abijo appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

… YPP presidential candidate proposes ward-based development centres, 200 housing units per ward, direct-labour construction and technology-driven settlements to tackle Nigeria’s housing and economic challenges.

By: Prince Folorunsho Adegoke, Housing TV Africa

Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, a prominent Nigerian architect, acoustic engineering specialist and presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) ahead of the 2027 general elections, has unveiled an ambitious development blueprint centred on decentralised economic activity, affordable housing, direct-labour construction and a leaner cost of governance.

Agada said his vision is to transform Nigeria into a “project site” by taking government intervention directly to communities and linking housing delivery with employment, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, healthcare and infrastructure.

He revealed this during an interview with the Housing Development Programme on News Central TV and Housing TV Africa, where he outlined his proposals for addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, unemployment, cost-of-living pressures, rural-urban migration and what he described as the disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

According to Agada, his approach is built around what he calls “LabourDirect”, a model that seeks to reduce construction and project-delivery costs by changing the way government contracts and development projects are executed.

8,809 wards as centres of development

At the heart of Agada’s proposed economic and housing strategy is a ward-by-ward development model.

He said his team has been developing a plan based on the comparative advantages of Nigeria’s wards, with each ward expected to have a development master plan based on its agricultural, mineral, industrial or other economic potential.

Under the proposal, 50 hectares of land would be identified, digitised, titled and developed in each of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.

Agada said the land would accommodate SME clusters, processing facilities, agricultural activities, housing, schools, healthcare facilities and other supporting infrastructure.

He described the proposed development centres as technology parks or clusters designed to create local economic activity rather than concentrating opportunities in major cities.

For example, he said a ward known for tomatoes and onions could have its development structured around food production and processing, while another area with deposits or skills suited to ceramics could be developed around that comparative advantage.

200 housing units in every ward

Housing is a central component of the proposed ward development model.

Agada said each 50-hectare development would include about 200 housing units for people working in the agricultural and SME clusters.

He argued that housing should not be treated separately from employment and economic development.

According to him, workers should be able to live close to their places of employment, reducing transportation costs while giving families access to basic services.

“By putting 200 units of houses there, we’ve solved housing problem,”

Agada said, arguing that decent housing combined with employment, electricity, healthcare and schools would create viable communities outside major urban centres.

He said the proposal would also include approximately one megawatt of solar power for each ward-based development, with solar panels incorporated into roofing systems.

The proposed settlements, he said, would include schools, hospitals and other community infrastructure, creating what he described as self-sustaining communities.

Housing affordability through new construction technologies

The YPP candidate also proposed the wider adoption of alternative construction methods and materials as part of his strategy to reduce the cost of housing.

Drawing from his experience as an architect and developer, Agada said conventional construction methods can make housing unnecessarily expensive because of the cost of materials and skilled artisans.

He cited soil stabilisation, alternative wall panels and container-based construction among the approaches that could be explored to reduce costs while maintaining acceptable standards.

He also described how he personally reduced construction costs when he built a two-bedroom house for his family earlier in his career, saying he used cost-saving construction techniques, moulded blocks on site and modified elements of the building design.

Agada argued that affordability should not automatically mean poor-quality housing.

Instead, he said architects and developers should take advantage of new technologies and locally appropriate construction methods to produce attractive, functional and affordable homes.

A different approach to mass housing

Agada also criticised what he described as the conventional approach to mass housing, where identical buildings are repeatedly constructed across large tracts of land.

He advocated for greater architectural variety and the use of existing landscapes in housing development.

He cited examples from countries such as South Africa and Kenya, arguing that affordable housing could incorporate different building forms, landscaping, solar energy and locally appropriate designs.

As an architect, Agada said he would personally be involved in the design and development of the proposed housing communities.

Jobs tied directly to housing and local production

Beyond the houses themselves, Agada said the ward development strategy is intended to create jobs at the grassroots.

He estimated that each development centre could create approximately 350 direct jobs in its initial phase, with additional employment generated through transportation, logistics, security, agriculture, healthcare, engineering, construction and SME activities.

He said the strategy is intended to reverse rural-urban migration by creating economic opportunities closer to where Nigerians live.

His stated objective is to encourage people who have migrated to cities because of the lack of jobs to return to their local government areas and wards where they can find employment and housing.

He also linked the strategy to reversing the migration of Nigerians abroad, using the phrase “Japa to Japada” to describe his proposed shift from outward migration to return and local economic opportunity.

Minimum wage and purchasing power

On affordability, Agada said his administration would seek to raise the minimum wage to between N120,000 and N150,000 or more, depending on the savings he says could be achieved through a leaner government and changes to public procurement.

He argued that the existing income levels of many Nigerian workers are incompatible with the current prices of food, transportation, fuel and other basic necessities.

His broader argument is that housing affordability cannot be solved solely by building cheaper houses.

According to him, Nigerians must also have sufficient incomes and employment opportunities to afford housing and sustain their households.

LabourDirect and the cost of construction

A major component of Agada’s proposal is his plan to reduce the cost of government projects through what he calls direct labour.

He argued that conventional contracting can significantly inflate project costs through layers of contracting and procurement.

Under his proposed model, government would provide the project design and bill of quantities while communities and other stakeholders could participate more directly in sourcing materials and supplying labour, with professionals retained for supervision.

He claimed that this model could substantially reduce construction costs and cited projects he said his company had executed as examples of what could be achieved.

Agada said his approach would also create opportunities for local workers, particularly young people, to participate in major infrastructure and construction projects.

A proposed Labour Direct Commission

To institutionalise the model, Agada proposed establishing a Nigerian Labour Direct Commission or Institute to oversee savings generated from his proposed procurement and governance reforms.

He said the proposed structure would operate through a system that includes national oversight while giving communities a direct role in determining their development priorities.

At the ward level, he proposed a 13-member committee comprising representatives of youths, women, traditional or community leadership and political interests.

The committee, according to him, would identify and prioritise the most pressing needs of the community.

Examples could include repairing a transformer, rehabilitating a school roof, fixing a road or restoring a failed water facility.

The identified priorities would then be submitted to the proposed Labour Direct Commission for implementation.

Cutting the cost of governance

Agada also placed significant emphasis on reducing government expenditure.

He said a YPP administration under his leadership would operate what he described as a “lean government”, arguing that savings from governance and public procurement could be redirected towards development.

He said he would not live in the presidential villa because of its perceived maintenance costs and would reduce spending on official convoys, aircraft and other government expenses.

He also proposed reviewing ministries and agencies with overlapping responsibilities as part of an effort to reduce the cost of administration.

Moving development beyond Abuja and other major cities

One of the central objectives of Agada’s housing strategy is to reduce pressure on major urban centres.

He argued that cities such as Abuja are becoming increasingly expensive because too many Nigerians are forced to compete for limited housing and employment opportunities.

His proposal is therefore to create functioning economic and residential centres in communities across the country.

Agada said that if people can find jobs, housing, electricity, schools and healthcare in their local communities, fewer Nigerians would need to relocate to Abuja and other major cities.

He argued that this could eventually reduce pressure on urban housing markets and contribute to lower rents.

Why the real estate boom has not translated into affordable housing

Addressing the apparent contradiction between Nigeria’s growing real estate sector and the difficulty many Nigerians face in finding affordable housing, Agada said the problem lies partly in what he described as a weak microeconomy.

He argued that large-scale real estate developments and high-value properties do not necessarily translate into housing access for ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, expensive developments in areas such as Lagos and Abuja may demonstrate activity in the real estate market, but the critical question is how many ordinary Nigerians can actually afford the properties.

His solution is to connect real estate development directly with employment and grassroots economic activity.

He said the proposed 50-hectare ward developments would be designed specifically around the people expected to live and work there, rather than simply producing high-value properties for investors.

Accountability: 800 houses per ward in four years

Asked how Nigerians could assess his performance after four years in office, Agada offered specific physical development targets.

He said that, based on his proposed model, each ward would have 200 housing units in the first phase.

Over four years, he said that would amount to 800 housing units per ward, alongside the expansion of economic and industrial activities.

He also projected that approximately 1,400 people could be moved back to each ward over the four-year period based on the employment figures he outlined.

He said visible development in the form of electricity, industrial clusters, agro-processing and other economic activities should provide Nigerians with tangible indicators against which to assess his administration.

Turning Nigeria into a project site

At the centre of Agada’s political and development philosophy is his call to move from what he sees as a system dominated by policy discussions and financial allocations to one focused on physical implementation.

“We’re turning Nigeria into a project site,” he said during the interview, describing himself as a project-oriented architect who wants to take resources directly to communities and development sites.

For Agada, housing is therefore not an isolated sector.

His proposed housing strategy is tied to employment, food production, energy, transportation, infrastructure, security, technology and local economic development.

Whether the proposals can be financed, legislated and implemented at the scale outlined would ultimately depend on the institutional, fiscal and political framework of any future administration.

For now, the YPP presidential candidate has placed housing and grassroots development at the centre of his campaign message, presenting his proposed 8,809-ward development model as the foundation for what he describes as a more decentralised Nigerian economy.

His challenge to voters, as stated during the interview, is to measure the performance of any future administration not merely by economic statistics but by what Nigerians can physically see in their communities; homes, jobs, electricity, roads, schools, healthcare facilities and functioning local economies.

The post Agada Unveils 2027 Blueprint: 8,809 Ward Housing Clusters, Jobs and Lean Government appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria Leads Africa in Homeless Population With 4.5 Million People

Nigeria has been ranked as the African country with the highest estimated homeless population, with about 4.5 million people classified as homeless in 2025, according to data from the World Population Review cited by Daily Trust.

The figure places Nigeria ahead of other African countries facing significant homelessness challenges, including Uganda and Sudan. Uganda is estimated to have about four million homeless people, while Sudan has approximately three million.

The figures highlight the scale of Nigeria’s housing challenges as rapid urbanisation, rising rents and population movement continue to place pressure on available accommodation.

Major cities, including Lagos, Abuja and Kano, are among the urban centres affected by the shortage of affordable housing, with growing numbers of people struggling to secure accommodation within their means.

The situation also raises concerns about the conditions under which people without stable shelter are forced to live.

Children are particularly vulnerable, with homelessness and the lack of stable accommodation exposing some to street life and hazardous forms of work. UNICEF has highlighted the risks faced by vulnerable children who lack adequate shelter and protection.

Nigeria’s position in the ranking comes against the background of a broader housing crisis across Africa. Rapid population growth and urbanisation have increased demand for housing, while the supply of affordable and adequate accommodation has struggled to keep pace.

The pressure is particularly pronounced in major cities, where high rents and limited access to affordable homes have made housing increasingly difficult for low-income households.

The data also comes amid continuing concerns about Nigeria’s housing deficit and the cost of providing new homes.

The World Population Review’s homelessness figures have varied by data year and methodology. Its current country table, for example, lists Nigeria’s larger 24.4 million estimate against a 2020 data year, underscoring the importance of considering the underlying year and definition when comparing homelessness figures internationally.

A separate United Nations report has also cited an estimate of more than 24.4 million homeless people in Nigeria, while noting that Africa faces a wider housing crisis driven by rapid urbanisation and the growth of informal settlements.

The housing situation is further complicated by the cost of construction, land acquisition, infrastructure and property registration, all of which can affect the pace at which new housing is supplied.

Addressing homelessness therefore requires not only increasing the number of homes available but also ensuring that new housing is affordable and accessible to households that need it most.

With Nigeria’s population continuing to grow and urban centres attracting people in search of jobs and better opportunities, the demand for affordable housing is expected to remain a major challenge for policymakers, developers and communities.

The post 4.5 Million Nigerians Estimated to Be Homeless, Report Finds appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Developers and property experts call for cheaper land, stronger housing supply, affordable mortgages and improved regulation.

Nigeria’s housing affordability crisis is deepening as rising property prices, escalating rents and increasing construction costs place homeownership beyond the reach of millions of households.

Real estate developers, estate surveyors and investment professionals attributed the challenge to expensive land, costly building materials, infrastructure gaps, high financing costs, statutory charges and weak household purchasing power.

The stakeholders made the observations while highlighting the need for reforms across Nigeria’s housing value chain.

Rising Construction Costs Drive Property Prices

President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Oba Akintoye Adeoye, said rising residential property prices and rents had become a major concern for developers, tenants, prospective homeowners and investors.

Adeoye explained that housing costs were increasing faster than the purchasing power of many Nigerians.

He said policymakers must examine land acquisition, construction, infrastructure, finance, transportation, professional services and regulatory charges instead of focusing only on the final price of properties.

“When the cost of producing a house increases, it inevitably impacts the price of the finished property,” REDAN said.

However, the association cautioned developers against using rising production costs to justify arbitrary pricing or consumer exploitation.

It called for measures to reduce the cost of land, infrastructure, building materials and housing finance, arguing that lower production costs would enable developers to offer more affordable homes.

Experts Demand Affordable Mortgage Financing

Adeoye urged greater access to long-term mortgage financing, allowing Nigerians to spread homeownership payments over 15, 20 or 30 years.

REDAN also advocated rent-to-own arrangements, cooperative housing schemes and housing savings programmes.

The Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) reported in June 2026 that it had delivered ₦128 billion in mortgages to 1,859 families across 25 states.

The mortgages reportedly carried a fixed interest rate of 9.75 per cent, with repayment periods of up to 20 years and a minimum 10 per cent equity contribution.

By August, the State House said MREIF’s disbursements had increased to ₦140 billion, supporting 2,018 mortgages across 27 states. 

Despite these interventions, experts maintained that affordable mortgages alone would not resolve the crisis if housing production remained expensive.

Land Scarcity and Urban Migration

Chief M.I. Okoro, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), identified population growth, urban migration and limited land supply as key drivers of rising property prices.

He pointed to Lagos areas such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki Phase One, where developers increasingly construct vertically because of land scarcity and high acquisition costs.

Okoro said rising property values in prime locations were pushing residents towards less expensive communities on the Mainland and outskirts of Lagos.

He called for increased housing supply, social housing programmes and greater involvement by local governments.

“Social housing is not meant to be for profit motive. That is where government comes in,” he said.

Construction Inflation Worsens Affordability

Ayo Ibaru, Chief Investment Officer at housing development company Panterra, described the crisis as the result of interconnected pressures across the housing sector.

He identified rising costs of cement, steel, finishing materials, labour, diesel and imported equipment as major contributors.

According to Ibaru, exchange-rate volatility has also increased the cost of imported materials and technical expertise.

Developers consequently reassess project budgets and may transfer some additional costs to buyers and tenants through higher sale prices, rents and service charges.

However, he noted that developers’ ability to increase prices remains limited by household incomes and effective market demand.

He argued that housing must be affordable to build, finance and maintain.

Land Documentation and Market Transparency

Ibaru also identified inefficient land administration and limited market transparency as factors increasing housing costs.

He called for faster land registration, clearer disclosure requirements for off-plan developments, stronger developer accreditation and appropriate escrow arrangements.

He also advocated better mechanisms for addressing abandoned or poorly constructed projects.

REDAN urged consumers to verify developers and property titles and conduct due diligence before making substantial payments.

Experts Call for Balanced Housing Development

Okoro argued that improving infrastructure and economic opportunities outside major urban centres could reduce migration pressure on cities such as Lagos.

He identified electricity, water, roads and telecommunications as essential investments for smaller cities and rural communities.

The stakeholders agreed that Nigeria’s housing crisis involves multiple factors, including:

• Expensive land and construction materials.
• High financing costs.
• Inadequate infrastructure.
• Weak household purchasing power.
• Limited housing supply.
• Inefficient land administration.
• Gaps in regulation and consumer protection.

The experts said addressing these interconnected challenges would require coordinated action from government, developers, financial institutions, local authorities and other stakeholders.

The post Nigeria’s Housing Crisis Deepens as Rising Costs Push Homeownership Beyond Reach appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Rising construction costs are making homeownership harder for Nigerians, while the FCCPC investigates possible anti-competitive practices in the cement market.

For millions of Nigerians hoping to build homes, the rising cost of cement is making homeownership increasingly difficult.

The price of 100 bags of cement reportedly increased from approximately ₦380,000 in May 2023 to about ₦1.25 million by August 2026, representing a rise of roughly 229 per cent.

In some parts of Nigeria, a 50-kilogramme bag of cement now sells for between ₦13,000 and ₦15,000, compared with approximately ₦3,300 to ₦3,500 in 2021.

The increase has raised construction expenses for homeowners, developers and landlords, adding pressure to a housing market already facing a significant supply deficit.

Rising Cement Prices Threaten Homeownership

Cement remains a critical material in Nigeria’s conventional construction industry. Its rising cost affects the prices of blocks, foundations, columns, plastering and other building activities.

Construction professionals say the price increases have also contributed to higher property values, rents and project costs.

Amusan Oluseyi, principal partner of Space Button Architecture Limited, questioned the persistent price increases given Nigeria’s limestone reserves and cement production capacity.

John Agbezin, Public Relations Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, identified energy costs, foreign exchange pressures, logistics, insecurity and multiple taxation as factors affecting cement prices.

Benjamin Onigbinde, Chief Executive Officer of Sigvent Property Trust Limited, also pointed to transportation costs and the role of intermediaries between manufacturers and construction sites.

Nigeria Has Excess Cement Production Capacity

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) estimates that Nigeria has installed cement production capacity of between 60 million and 65 million metric tonnes annually.

Domestic consumption, however, is estimated at approximately 25 million to 30 million metric tonnes.

The commission also identified Nigeria as a net exporter of cement to neighbouring countries.

Despite the reported production surplus, cement prices have continued to rise, prompting the FCCPC to investigate possible price manipulation and other anti-competitive practices.

The regulator said its preliminary findings did not establish wrongdoing but provided sufficient grounds for the investigation to continue. 

FCCPC Investigates Cement Pricing

The FCCPC’s investigation followed public complaints about the high cost of cement in Nigeria.

The commission compared prices and market conditions in Nigeria with those in countries including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria.

According to the regulator, a 50kg bag of cement in Nigeria sold for approximately ₦9,300–₦9,700 in January 2026. By mid-year, prices had risen to between ₦10,500 and ₦13,000, reaching ₦13,000–₦15,000 in some areas by July.

Manufacturers cited energy expenses, naira depreciation, imported machinery and spare parts, transportation and logistics as contributing factors.

The FCCPC said it was examining whether those explanations adequately accounted for prevailing prices or whether the market showed evidence of coordinated conduct, abuse of market power or anti-competitive distribution practices.

The commission has issued notices of investigation and summonses requiring key industry players to provide information about pricing, production, capacity utilisation, exports and commercial relationships. 

Cement Manufacturers Report Stronger Earnings

While consumers and builders face higher costs, major cement producers have reported substantial financial growth.

Dangote Cement recorded first-half 2026 revenue of ₦2.51 trillion, compared with ₦2.07 trillion in the corresponding period of the previous year. Its profit after tax reportedly increased to ₦638.53 billion.

BUA Cement also recorded higher revenue and profit during the period, while the combined profit after tax of Dangote Cement, BUA Cement and HBM Nigeria was reported at approximately ₦1.17 trillion.

The financial performance does not, by itself, establish that manufacturers engaged in unlawful pricing practices. However, the earnings have intensified public debate about competition, production costs and consumer protection.

The FCCPC’s investigation is expected to determine whether current prices reflect legitimate market conditions or potential violations of competition law.

Housing Crisis Adds Pressure

The impact of cement prices extends beyond individual construction projects.

Higher building costs can discourage developers, increase property prices and make affordable housing more difficult to deliver.

Aliyu Oroji Wamakko, a former president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, argued that cement demand from major infrastructure projects could place additional pressure on supplies available to the housing sector.

Industry stakeholders have called for improved transportation infrastructure, reduced production costs, stronger competition and greater transparency across the cement distribution chain.

They also advocate increased support for alternative building technologies that could reduce dependence on conventional construction materials.

What Needs to Change?

Addressing cement affordability will require coordinated action involving government regulators, manufacturers, distributors and construction professionals.

Key areas for attention include:

• Greater transparency in factory-gate and retail pricing.
• Improved road infrastructure and transportation systems.
• Reliable and affordable energy supply.
• Stronger competition within the cement industry.
• Clearer oversight of distributor margins.
• Support for alternative construction technologies.
• Continued investigation of potential anti-competitive conduct.

Nigeria’s cement industry has significant production capacity and access to local raw materials. However, rising prices continue to create challenges for households seeking to build homes.

The outcome of the FCCPC investigation could provide important information about the factors driving cement prices and the measures required to make construction more affordable.

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Housing Ministry Gives Reform Committee Six Weeks to Develop Action Plan

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 14-member ministerial committee to develop an implementation framework for reforms in Nigeria’s housing and built-environment sector.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma, inaugurated the committee in Abuja and directed its members to submit a practical implementation strategy within six weeks.

The committee is chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore. Its membership includes officials from relevant housing agencies and the ministry’s technical departments.

The committee was established following a stakeholder validation conference convened to examine national housing-deficit data and determine policy priorities for transforming the sector.

Its responsibilities include coordinating the implementation of the validated reforms and developing a detailed work plan containing priority actions, timelines and measurable deliverables.

Members are also expected to monitor progress and ensure that responsibilities assigned to the ministry, its agencies and other institutions are completed within the approved timelines.

Darma explained that the recommendations adopted at the stakeholder conference had been divided into three categories.

The first category covers reforms that the housing ministry can implement immediately through administrative action. The second consists of measures requiring consideration and approval by the Presidential Council, while the third covers proposals that require legislation.

The classification is expected to help the ministry determine the appropriate implementation route for each recommendation and reduce delays associated with institutional approvals.

According to the minister, the government’s responsibility is either to provide homes directly or establish an enabling environment in which Nigerians can build, rent or purchase suitable accommodation.

He also called for stronger regulation of the built environment to improve professional standards, protect consumers and increase the sector’s contribution to national development.

Citing 2025 data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Darma said housing and the broader built-environment sector contributed about 17 per cent to Nigeria’s economy.

He compared the figure with contributions ranging between 22 and 27 per cent in countries such as South Africa and Kenya, arguing that appropriate reforms could help Nigeria close the gap.

The minister said an efficient housing industry could contribute more substantially to economic growth through construction activity, job creation, local building-material production, mortgage expansion and real estate investment.

He urged the committee to treat its assignment with urgency and produce an implementation plan capable of translating stakeholder recommendations into measurable outcomes.

The development comes as the government faces growing calls to address high construction costs, difficult access to land, limited mortgage finance, weak regulation and the shortage of affordable homes.

The committee’s effectiveness will depend on whether its recommendations lead to clear policy decisions, enforceable standards and coordinated action among the ministry, housing agencies, financial institutions and private developers.

Its report is also expected to indicate which reforms can be implemented quickly and which will require executive or legislative intervention.

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The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have sensitised heads of federal establishments in Benue State on workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, affordable housing and sustainable urban development.

The sensitisation took place on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a meeting of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE) in Makurdi.

The NSITF presentation was delivered by the Branch Manager of the NSITF Makurdi Branch, Mr Msugh Echono, who explained the agency’s mandate under the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

NSITF explains compensation scheme

Echono said the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS) provides fair, adequate and sustainable compensation to workers who suffer work-related accidents, injuries, disabilities or death.

According to him, the scheme is mandatory and covers workers in both the public and private sectors, except military and paramilitary personnel.

He said employers are required to contribute one per cent of their employees’ total emoluments to the scheme.

Employers must also notify NSITF of workplace incidents or accidents that could result in compensation claims.

Echono listed benefits under the scheme to include compensation for injuries and disabilities, occupational diseases, exposure to harmful chemicals, hearing impairment and mental stress, subject to the provisions of the law.

He added that beneficiaries could access non-cash benefits such as vocational rehabilitation, counselling and artificial limbs where necessary.

NSITF gives workers 21-day claims advice

On claims, Echono advised employees to report workplace incidents within 21 days, either through their employers or directly to NSITF.

He said affected workers should provide medical evidence of their injuries or diseases and submit claims using designated forms at any NSITF branch office.

He also disclosed that a help desk had been established at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to support and protect injured federal workers.

Echono urged federal establishments to comply with occupational safety and health standards, warning that violations of the Employee Compensation Scheme could attract penalties and fines.

Housing Ministry addresses Nigeria’s housing deficit

In a separate presentation, the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Benue State Field Headquarters, Makurdi, Engr. Edwin Gyenger, highlighted the importance of affordable and decent housing to human development.

Gyenger said Nigeria’s housing deficit had been officially put at 14.925 million housing units, based on figures referenced from the National Housing Data Technical Committee involving the National Population Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics.

He clarified that the housing deficit was not simply a shortage of buildings but a shortage of decent and affordable housing for Nigerians.

According to him, successive administrations have introduced programmes to address the challenge, including the Site and Services Scheme, Shagari Low-Cost Housing Programme, National Housing Fund, monetisation policy, National Housing Programme and Renewed Hope Housing Estate.

Gyenger said the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for formulating and implementing policies, programmes and projects relating to affordable housing and sustainable urban development.

He listed the ministry’s responsibilities to include providing access to affordable housing and rental schemes, housing policy formulation, urban planning, land administration, sustainable human settlements and urban renewal.

The ministry also supervises agencies involved in mortgage financing and enforces physical planning standards, he added.

Gyenger said the ministry provides professional consultancy services to federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies and maintains federal government public buildings.

The sensitisation was organised to improve awareness among federal establishments about workers’ welfare, statutory obligations, occupational safety, housing policies and sustainable development.

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Building Materials Now Account for Up to 75% of Construction Costs — Experts

Industry stakeholders have warned that the escalating cost of building materials is making homeownership increasingly difficult and contributing to higher rents and abandoned construction projects across Nigeria.

Professor Bolaji Wahab, a former chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building, said materials now represent between 65 and 75 per cent of the total cost of delivering a building project.

Wahab attributed the increases to Nigeria’s dependence on imported materials and inputs, foreign-exchange pressures, expensive energy, poor roads, high transportation costs, multiple taxes, insecurity and commercial lending rates reportedly reaching 26.5 per cent.

Building engineer Adekunle Balogun said a 50-kilogramme bag of cement, which sold for between ₦2,500 and ₦3,000 in 2020, now costs approximately ₦12,500 to ₦15,000, depending on the location.

He added that the price of a tonne of 12mm reinforcement steel had risen from about ₦250,000 to between ₦800,000 and ₦950,000. Blocks, roofing sheets, timber and nails have also recorded significant increases.

Stakeholders said the rising costs were forcing private builders to suspend projects while developers reduced the scale of planned developments. The resulting pressure on housing supply has also contributed to rent increases in major cities.

Wahab urged the government to support domestic manufacturing through single-digit financing, tax incentives, improved electricity supply and better transport infrastructure.

He also recommended increased investment in research, technical education and nationally recognised certification for construction artisans.

Greater local production of cement, steel, tiles, roofing materials and fittings, stakeholders argued, would reduce exposure to foreign-exchange fluctuations and make housing delivery more affordable.

Source: The Sun Nigeria.

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The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has expressed interest in expanding cooperation with TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Limited to support large-scale housing delivery and urban-renewal projects across the country.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, disclosed this while receiving a delegation from the company during a courtesy visit in Abuja.

TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of China Railway International Group.

Belgore said Nigeria remained open to credible investments and partnerships capable of supporting national development, particularly efforts to provide affordable housing and reduce the country’s housing shortage.

According to him, the ministry is pursuing several housing-delivery options, including direct government construction, public-private partnerships and collaboration with private developers possessing the capacity to execute projects on a large scale.

He said the Federal Government intends to make significant progress in addressing Nigeria’s estimated housing deficit of about 15 million units over the next decade. Achieving this objective, he noted, would require stronger private-sector participation.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the government’s urban-renewal programme extends beyond residential construction to the provision and improvement of essential infrastructure.

These interventions include roads, water supply, drainage systems, electricity, healthcare facilities and other amenities needed to improve living conditions within communities.

Belgore also commended TEC Engineering for the progress recorded on the reconstruction of covered conduits and roads in Kano State. He acknowledged delays in budgetary releases and urged the company to maintain the pace of work while the relevant funding provisions were being addressed.

President of China Railway International Group, Zhao Jinxiang, thanked the ministry for awarding the Kano project to TEC Engineering.

Jinxiang said the company would continue working on the project despite challenges encountered at the site.

He added that the delegation’s visit was intended to identify further areas of cooperation with the housing ministry, including urban infrastructure, underground ducts, wastewater management and sewage-treatment projects.

The discussions signal potential collaboration between the Federal Government and the Chinese engineering company. However, no specific housing target, investment value, project location or implementation timetable was announced.

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