Federal Government estimates nationwide shortage of homes at 15 million units

Nigeria's housing deficit has been officially quantified at 15 million units by the Federal Government, which is now utilizing new global housing standards to inform policy and expedite access to affordable housing across the country.

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This revelation was made by Dr Muttaqha Darma, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday during the Stakeholders Validation Workshop on the National Housing Data Programme in Abuja.

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According to Darma, the estimate is based on findings by the ministry's Technical Committee, which employed the World Bank Adequate Housing Index and the UN-Habitat Household Crowding Index to arrive at this figure.

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The North-West and North-East regions are under the most significant housing pressure, driven by rapid population growth and a lack of sufficient housing supply, Darma noted.

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Years of uncertainty surrounding conflicting housing deficit estimates, which ranged from 15 million to 28 million units, have now been resolved by the government, according to the minister.

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Darma urged stakeholders to validate the methodology used to arrive at the estimate before the report is submitted to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

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A National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy is being proposed by the government to enhance planning, housing delivery, and investor confidence, Darma announced.

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This policy aims to regulate developers, strengthen construction quality, and protect prospective homeowners from fraudulent practices, the minister explained.

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Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary, emphasized that credible housing data would facilitate evidence-based decision-making and improve the monitoring of housing interventions across the country.

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Belgore added that the lack of cohesive data systems and weak regulation have hindered planning, investment, and sustainable housing development in Nigeria.

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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the three-day workshop is expected to culminate in the validation of the National Housing Data Framework and recommendations for strengthening housing regulation nationwide.