Nigeria’s housing and built environment sectors are under renewed scrutiny as industry leaders call for stricter regulation, professional oversight, and innovative solutions to the nation’s housing deficit.

Speaking on the growing incidence of fraudulent developers, Akintoye Adeoye, President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), said tackling unethical practices requires a multi-faceted approach, including enforcement of ethics, the establishment of the Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria (RECON), and collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to protect investments.

Adeoye highlighted key challenges confronting private developers, including bureaucratic bottlenecks in land administration, indiscriminate demolitions, high financing costs, lack of long-term mortgage options, poor infrastructure, and over-reliance on imported building materials. He urged the government to streamline land titling, recapitalize the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and support local building materials production to make homeownership more accessible.

Meanwhile, Lagos residents continue to grapple with soaring rents, with increases of 80–100 percent reported across the city. Despite this, some neighborhoods remain relatively affordable. According to Daily Trust, areas such as Ikorodu, Agege, Alagbado, Egbeda, Ikotun/Igando, Ojo, Mushin, and Ajegunle offer housing options suitable for low- and middle-income earners, though accessibility and safety remain considerations for residents. Real estate expert Ganiyu Idris advised renters to prioritize proximity to workplaces to minimize commuting costs.

In addition, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has warned against unlicensed practitioners in the built environment. Outgoing President Mobolaji Adeniyi and incoming President Sani Saulawa emphasized that unregistered individuals compromise structural integrity and public safety. Adeniyi noted that architecture contributes about 6% of Nigeria’s GDP, approximately N6.17 trillion annually, while Saulawa stressed that investigations into building collapses rarely involve certified architects. The institute plans to strengthen public awareness, enforce professional ethics, and improve regulatory oversight.

The call for reforms comes as Nigeria seeks to expand housing stock, promote affordable homeownership, and ensure sustainable urban development. Experts argue that integrated efforts involving government, professional associations, and the private sector are critical to addressing the country’s housing crisis.

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NIA national President, Arc Mobolaji A. Adeniyi, disclosed this when he led a delegation of the executive council of the institute to the state to commiserate with the state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, over the devastating flood incidence.

She also said they have donated some money to help cushion the flood effect.

According to her, “Additionally, I assured the Governor that the NIA is available to offer Professional Services to the Government and, where possible, provide some pro-bono architectural services to assist in the ongoing reconstruction projects.

“This demonstrates our commitment to aiding the state’s recovery. We are here for the long haul, ready to lend our expertise and support to ensure a brighter future for Borno,” the President added.

Responding, Governor Zulum commended the institute for the donation and the professional support offer towards rebuilding the collapsed buildings affected by the flood.

The Governor also asked the institute to consider building more schools of architecture in the state to promote local expertise.

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Adeniyi made the call on Sunday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, during her post-inauguration ceremony as the 30th president of the NIA. She attributed the loss of lives and property due to building collapse to the engagement of unqualified individuals, also known as quacks, to handle construction projects.

“We have seen a lot of buildings collapsed in Nigeria because professionals were not involved in the process leading to the implementation of such projects,” Adeniyi stated.

She emphasized the crucial role of architects in the building industry, explaining that their involvement is essential from the inception of a project to its completion. Architects design and supervise construction projects to ensure that they adhere to global standards and are structurally sound.

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“When every building has an architect, qualified engineers, and all other related professionals handling these projects, we will not be having incidents of building collapse,” she asserted.

Adeniyi pledged the NIA’s commitment to working closely with the government to ensure that registered architects are engaged for all construction projects, regardless of their size or scope. She also expressed confidence in the competence of Nigerian architects, stating that there is no need to bring in foreign architects as the country has a pool of qualified professionals capable of handling any project effectively.

In addition to addressing building collapse, Adeniyi also highlighted the challenges faced by architects in Nigeria, particularly the shortage of architects in planning departments across the country. She stressed the need for all 774 local governments in Nigeria to have qualified and registered architects on staff to approve construction drawings.

Adeniyi further called for greater recognition and patronage of architects by all tiers of government, corporate organizations, and individuals. She emphasized that every architect in Nigeria is trained and licensed to carry out their duties, and their expertise is crucial for ensuring safe and sustainable construction practices.

Source: Tribune Newspaper

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