Kano has been ranked among the world’s 10 largest cities by population, highlighting its rapid urban growth and increasing importance as one of Africa’s leading commercial and economic centres. The latest population estimates place the ancient Nigerian city alongside major global metropolitan areas, reflecting decades of sustained population growth and urban expansion.

According to the latest global population estimates, Kano secured a place in the top 10 most populous cities worldwide, reinforcing its position as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing urban centres. The city’s expanding population has been driven by natural population growth, migration, commercial activities, and its strategic role as a major trading hub in northern Nigeria.

Urban development experts say Kano’s continued growth presents significant opportunities for economic development, investment, and infrastructure expansion. However, they also caution that rapid urbanisation increases pressure on housing, transportation, healthcare, education, water supply, and other essential public services.

As one of West Africa’s oldest commercial cities, Kano has long served as a centre for trade, manufacturing, agriculture, and regional commerce. Its strategic location continues to attract businesses and residents from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, contributing to its expanding urban footprint and economic significance.

Urban planners have stressed the need for sustainable city planning to accommodate future population growth. They recommend increased investment in affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, environmental management, and digital urban planning systems to improve the quality of life for residents while supporting long-term economic development.

Stakeholders believe that with effective planning and infrastructure investment, Kano can leverage its growing population to strengthen its position as a major economic gateway for northern Nigeria and the wider West African region

The post Kano Ranks Among World’s 10 Most Populous Cities appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions and rapidly rising rental costs are forcing millions of households out of affordable housing, with many families spending a significant share of their income on accommodation. Housing experts warn that the country’s growing affordability crisis is widening inequality and placing additional pressure on urban communities.

According to housing analysts, rapid urbanisation, a persistent housing deficit, inflation, and rising construction costs have combined to push rents beyond the reach of many low- and middle-income earners. As demand for housing continues to outpace supply, landlords have increased rental prices across major cities, leaving many Nigerians struggling to secure decent accommodation.

Experts recommend that households should spend no more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. However, many Nigerian families now spend well above that threshold, reducing their ability to meet other essential needs such as healthcare, education, transportation, and savings. The situation has become particularly difficult for civil servants, artisans, small business owners, and young professionals living in urban centres.

Industry stakeholders argue that addressing the affordability crisis will require increased investment in affordable housing, easier access to mortgage financing, improved urban planning, and policies that encourage private sector participation in residential development. They also emphasise the importance of expanding housing supply to match the country’s growing population and urbanisation rate.

Real estate professionals further noted that stabilising inflation, reducing construction costs, and strengthening land administration systems would help improve housing affordability over the long term. They believe coordinated efforts between government agencies, developers, financial institutions, and investors are necessary to create a more sustainable housing market.

As economic pressures persist, experts warn that Nigeria’s housing affordability challenge could deepen unless comprehensive reforms are implemented to increase housing supply, improve access to finance, and make homeownership and rental accommodation more accessible for millions of citizens.

The post Rising Rents and Economic Pressures Push More Nigerians Out of Affordable Housing appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The informal land market is attracting increasing attention from real estate investors in Nigeria, driven by its speed, flexibility, and lower transaction costs compared to the formal system.

A report by Northcourt Real Estate notes that both formal and informal land markets exist in Nigeria, but they operate under very different frameworks. While the formal system is governed by state law and registration processes, the informal market operates largely outside official regulatory structures.

Weak Formal System Drives Informal Market Growth

According to the report, Nigeria’s formal land system is often slow, rigid, and complex, making it less attractive to investors seeking quick transactions.

It also noted that only about 5 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass is formally registered, leaving as much as 95 per cent as “dead capital” that cannot be easily used for collateral, mortgages, or formal investment.

In contrast, the informal market offers quicker access to land, wider location choices, and more affordable prices, especially in fast-growing urban areas.

The report added that in some cases, government-backed regularisation programmes later help buyers convert informal holdings into legally recognised property.

Structural Barriers Shape Investor Preference

The report attributed the dominance of informal transactions to outdated regulations, rigid planning systems, and centralised land administration processes.

It noted that when formal systems fail to allocate land efficiently, individuals and investors naturally turn to alternative channels where transactions are faster and more accessible.

Land remains a highly valuable but passive asset, with strong demand across residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses, particularly in urban centres.

Urban Expansion Reshaping Agricultural Land

The report also highlighted the growing pressure of urbanisation on agricultural land, particularly in Lagos and other major cities.

It cited research showing that farmland in Lagos has steadily declined over the past four decades, while built-up areas expanded significantly.

Between 1984 and 2024, developed land increased by over 22,000 hectares, while farmland and natural landscapes declined at varying rates depending on the period.

From 2013 to 2024, farmland loss accelerated further, with sharper declines recorded in forest cover, open spaces, shrublands, and water bodies.

Rising Land Prices Linked To Scarcity

The continued conversion of farmland and open spaces into residential and infrastructure developments has intensified pressure on available land, contributing to rising land prices across urban centres.

Urban farming, once seen as a viable livelihood option in cities like Lagos, is also declining due to increasing land demand for housing and commercial projects.

Experts note that although urban agriculture is gradually gaining recognition, competing development pressures continue to push agricultural land into residential and industrial use.

The post Informal Land Market Gains Ground As Formal System Lags Behind appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s urban landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as developers increasingly embrace high-rise buildings to cope with rising population pressure, land scarcity and growing demand for residential and commercial spaces.

Across major cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, tall residential towers, office complexes and mixed-use developments are steadily replacing the low-rise structures that once dominated urban development.

Industry experts say the shift toward vertical development is being driven by rapid urbanisation, soaring land prices, housing shortages and the need to maximise limited space in prime locations. However, they warn that weak infrastructure, poor maintenance culture and inadequate regulatory enforcement could threaten the sustainability of the trend if urgent reforms are not implemented.

Nigeria’s Urban Population Pressure

With Nigeria’s population projected by the United Nations to reach nearly 400 million by 2050, pressure on urban centres continues to intensify. Lagos alone reportedly receives about 6,000 new residents daily as people migrate into the city in search of economic opportunities.

The increasing population has placed enormous strain on housing, transportation, electricity, drainage systems and other urban infrastructure. Nigeria’s housing deficit is estimated at between 16 million and 23 million units, leaving millions of residents in overcrowded and inadequate accommodation.

As available land becomes increasingly scarce and expensive, developers are turning to vertical construction as a practical solution for accommodating urban growth without excessive horizontal expansion.

Why Developers Are Building Upward

Urban planners describe vertical development as the construction of multi-storey residential, commercial or mixed-use buildings designed to optimise limited land resources.

Globally, countries such as the United States, China, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have adopted skyscraper developments to manage population growth, preserve land and strengthen economic activities within cities.

In Nigeria, rising land prices have become one of the biggest factors pushing developers toward high-rise construction.

Investigations show that land in premium locations across Lagos and Abuja has become extremely expensive. In Eko Atlantic City, plots reportedly cost up to N2 billion, while land in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Banana Island ranges from hundreds of millions to billions of naira depending on size and location.

In Abuja, plots in Maitama, Asokoro and Guzape have also witnessed massive price increases, making low-density development less economically viable.

Architect and Managing Partner of Sowunmi Williams and Associates, Sowunmi Williams, explained that developers now prefer vertical projects because they maximise land value and reduce overall cost per housing unit.

According to him, a single plot that may contain only a few bungalows can accommodate dozens of apartments if developed vertically.

“On expensive land, it becomes more economical to build upward because the cost is spread across many housing units,” he explained.

Growth Of Luxury High-Rise Projects

Findings also indicate that many private developers are now investing heavily in premium high-rise developments in areas such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Eko Atlantic.

Data from real estate intelligence firm Estate Intel revealed that about 1,000 luxury residential units were delivered in Lagos between 2020 and 2025, with more projects expected in 2026.

Most of the new developments are high-rise structures targeting luxury residential and mixed-use markets.

Government housing agencies have also embraced vertical housing models in areas such as Surulere, Iponri, Adeniji Adele and Ilubirin in Lagos.

Benefits Of Vertical Development

Experts say high-rise developments offer several advantages beyond increasing housing supply.

Vertical construction helps reduce urban sprawl, preserve land and improve land-use efficiency. It also allows residential, office and recreational facilities to coexist within the same environment, reducing commuting pressure and improving accessibility.

The Managing Partner of Durarch Limited, Durojaiye Ale, said modern skyscrapers are now supported by advanced technologies such as reinforced concrete systems, smart building solutions and high-speed elevators.

According to him, vertical development has become an economic necessity for densely populated cities like Lagos.

“Building upward allows cities to accommodate more people on limited land while reducing uncontrolled expansion,” he said.

Ale also noted that high-rise developments can create additional ground space for drainage infrastructure, green areas and flood control systems, particularly in flood-prone environments like Lagos.

Concerns Over Infrastructure And Safety

Despite the growing popularity of vertical construction, experts warn that Nigeria still lacks adequate infrastructure and technical capacity to support widespread high-rise development safely.

Tall buildings require stable electricity supply, efficient water systems, proper drainage networks and reliable transportation infrastructure, many of which remain weak in several Nigerian cities.

Maintenance culture also remains a major concern, especially regarding elevators, fire systems and mechanical installations.

Industry stakeholders have raised concerns over increasing cases of elevator failures, poor emergency preparedness and weak compliance with fire safety regulations in some high-rise buildings.

Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, stressed the importance of regular risk assessments and strict compliance with safety standards.

According to him, high-rise buildings must be regularly inspected to prevent accidents linked to fire outbreaks, elevator failures and structural risks.

Experts also warned that emergency evacuations from high-rise buildings are more complicated than from low-rise structures, making strict adherence to safety regulations critical.

Future Of High-Rise Development In Nigeria

Professionals in the built environment believe vertical development will continue expanding as urbanisation accelerates and land prices rise further.

However, they insist that long-term success will depend on stronger planning regulations, improved infrastructure, better safety enforcement and investment in skilled manpower.

Williams noted that high-rise construction requires highly trained professionals, advanced engineering systems and strict regulatory oversight.

“The challenge with vertical development is that you need highly skilled professionals to handle the projects safely. Fire safety and maintenance are also critical issues,” he said.

Ale added that only a limited number of contractors in Nigeria currently possess the technical expertise required for very tall structures, particularly projects exceeding 50 floors.

He also warned that high-rise buildings come with high energy demands due to elevators, cooling systems and backup power requirements.

According to him, Nigeria must strengthen infrastructure and institutional capacity to ensure vertical development remains sustainable and safe for residents.

The post Why Nigeria’s Cities Are Building Upward Amid Land Scarcity, Housing Pressure appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s infrastructure investment is projected to rise significantly over the next two decades, with annual spending expected to reach $40 billion by 2050, according to a new report by PwC.

The firm’s Global Infrastructure Outlook places Nigeria as Africa’s largest infrastructure market, ranking 23rd globally in investment potential. The projection reflects a 77 percent increase from current spending levels, driven by expanding demand across key sectors.

Growth Outlook Backed by Demographics and Urbanisation

The report attributes Nigeria’s long-term growth trajectory to rapid population expansion, accelerating urbanisation, and rising demand for modern infrastructure systems.

These structural drivers are expected to sustain Nigeria’s leadership position within Africa’s infrastructure landscape, even as other emerging markets scale up investments.

Africa, in general, is projected to record the fastest infrastructure investment growth globally through 2050, reinforcing Nigeria’s strategic importance on the continent.

Power, Transport, and Digital Systems Lead Expansion

Infrastructure growth will be concentrated in three primary sectors: power, transport, and digital infrastructure.

Power investment is expected to expand the fastest, rising by 187 percent—from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $3.2 billion by 2050. This reflects ongoing efforts to address electricity shortages, improve grid stability, and support industrial productivity.

Transport infrastructure is also set to attract substantial capital as Nigeria continues to develop road networks, rail systems, and logistics corridors to boost trade and economic activity.

Digital infrastructure is emerging as a critical priority, with increasing investments in data centres, connectivity, and smart systems shaping future development strategies.

Global Investment Trends Provide Context

Globally, infrastructure spending is expected to grow from $4.4 trillion in 2024 to $6.9 trillion by 2050, with cumulative investment reaching $151.1 trillion.

This expansion is driven by major economic shifts, including electrification, digital transformation, and urban development.

For Nigeria, aligning with these global trends will be essential to attract long-term capital and remain competitive in international markets.

Funding Gap Remains a Major Constraint

Despite the positive outlook, Nigeria faces significant funding challenges in achieving the projected $40 billion annual spending level.

Current infrastructure deficits remain wide, with financing needs exceeding government budget capacity.

PwC highlights public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a critical mechanism for closing this gap, enabling collaboration between government and private investors to deliver large-scale projects.

However, key risks persist, including regulatory uncertainty, institutional inefficiencies, and historical delays in project execution.

Implications for Investors and Policymakers

For investors, the report signals strong long-term opportunities in infrastructure assets, particularly in power, transport, and digital sectors where demand continues to grow.

For policymakers, the findings underscore the need for consistent regulatory frameworks, improved project execution capacity, and innovative financing models.

Delivering on these projections will require coordinated planning and sustained reform efforts to translate investment potential into measurable development outcomes.

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