Nigeria Attends International Conference Amidst 28 Million Home Shortage and Growing City Turmoil

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As global leaders prepare for the World Urban Forum 13 in Azerbaijan over the worsening global housing crisis, Nigeria arrives at the centre of the conversation burdened by a 28 million housing deficit, rising rent costs, climate-induced flooding and rapidly expanding informal settlements. DARE AKOGUN examines how weak urban planning, inadequate infrastructure and poor access to affordable housing are reshaping life in Nigerian cities

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As global leaders, urban planners, housing experts and development financiers prepare to converge in Baku capital of Azerbaijan next week for the World Urban Forum, Nigeria enters the conversation carrying the weight of one of Africa’s most pressing urban crises a rapidly growing housing deficit, overstretched cities, rising climate threats and millions of citizens struggling to secure decent shelter.

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The 13th session of the World Urban Forum, convened by UN-Habitat under the theme, “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” is expected to bring together governments, international organisations, private investors, academics and civil society groups from May 17 to 22, 2026, to discuss practical solutions to the global housing emergency.

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For Nigeria, however, the conversations expected in Azerbaijan are not merely theoretical debates about urban planning or sustainability. They reflect realities already unfolding daily across major cities and rural communities where population growth, inadequate infrastructure, climate-induced disasters and weak urban governance are reshaping how millions live.

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From the crowded waterfront settlements in Port Harcourt to sprawling informal communities in Lagos and the rapidly expanding satellite towns around Abuja, the country’s urban crisis has become increasingly visible.

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Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated by stakeholders at over 28 million units, continues to widen amid rising inflation, soaring building material costs and limited access to affordable mortgage systems.

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Urban experts warn that unless urgent structural reforms are implemented, the housing crisis could deepen social inequality, worsen insecurity and intensify climate vulnerability in densely populated communities.

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In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and Africa’s most populous city, rapid urbanisation continues to outpace infrastructure development.

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Thousands of residents living in low-income communities battle poor drainage systems, overcrowded housing, inadequate waste management and recurrent flooding.

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During the rainy season, several communities across the state become vulnerable to flooding, displacing families and damaging homes.

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Urban development analyst based in Lagos, Tunde Akinyemi, told The PUNCH that the housing crisis in Nigeria has gone beyond availability of homes to broader issues of planning and resilience.

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“We are not just talking about shortage of houses anymore. We are talking about whether the houses are safe, climate-resilient, accessible and connected to infrastructure.

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“In Lagos, many people spend over half of their income on rent while still living in flood-prone environments without proper urban planning,” he said.

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Akinyemi added that the discussions expected at WUF13 could shape future housing financing models for African cities if governments commit to implementation.

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“The problem in Nigeria has never been the absence of policies. It is weak implementation, corruption and inconsistent political will,” he added.

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Across Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, rapid expansion of informal settlements has also become a growing concern.

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Communities around Kubwa, Lugbe, Nyanya, Karu and parts of the Federal Capital Territory continue to experience population surges driven by migration, rising rent costs within the city centre and economic pressures.

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Despite ongoing urban renewal projects and government-backed housing schemes, many residents still struggle to access affordable homes.

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The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development recently disclosed plans to unveil a strategic housing roadmap before the end of May as part of efforts to scale up home ownership through Public-Private Partnerships.

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The new Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, said the ministry was working towards transforming housing delivery through stronger collaboration with private sector actors and innovative financing mechanisms.

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Speaking during the second edition of the Renewed Hope Housing Public-Private Partnership Summit on Tuesday in Abuja, Darma said the government intended to scale up housing delivery nationwide.

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“This would ensure that thousands of Nigerians would soon become homeowners, with roofs over their heads as these housing projects continue to expand nationwide,” the minister stated.

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According to him, housing projects in Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State, Lambu in Kano State and Karsana in Abuja would be commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu upon completion.

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The minister also disclosed that the ministry, in partnership with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, was constructing 1,550 housing units for military personnel.

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Darma further revealed plans to physically verify more than 15,000 housing units said to be available across the country to ensure the projects existed beyond paperwork.

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“I’ve been made to understand that more than 15,000 units of houses are now available to Nigerians. In the next three months, if what I’ve been told is true, I assure Nigerians that more than 15,000 houses will be available for occupation by Nigerian families,” he said.

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But housing experts insist that while such initiatives are commendable, Nigeria still requires deeper structural reforms in land administration, mortgage accessibility and urban governance.

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An Abuja-based housing finance specialist, Amina Yusuf, said the country’s urban housing challenge cannot be solved through government projects alone.

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“The scale of Nigeria’s housing deficit means government cannot do it alone. We need stronger mortgage systems, lower interest rates, improved land documentation processes and credible PPP frameworks that attract long-term investors.

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“One of the biggest issues is affordability. Many Nigerians cannot access housing loans because of high interest rates and unstable income structures,” she explained.

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According to Yusuf, discussions at WUF13 would likely focus heavily on innovative financing systems capable of supporting low and middle-income earners.

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She noted that Nigeria must begin treating housing as both a social necessity and an economic growth strategy.

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“When housing projects are properly implemented, they create jobs for engineers, artisans, transport workers, suppliers and manufacturers. Housing stimulates economic activity across several sectors,” she said.

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Climate change worsening housing vulnerabilities

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Beyond the shortage of housing units, climate change is increasingly exposing weaknesses in Nigeria’s urban systems.

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In recent years, severe flooding has devastated several communities across states such as Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra and Lagos.

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Thousands of homes have either been submerged or destroyed, forcing many residents into temporary displacement camps.

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Experts warn that poorly planned settlements, blocked drainage systems and construction on floodplains continue to increase risks in urban centres.

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At WUF13, climate resilience is expected to dominate discussions through a special dialogue on the “Climate-Housing Nexus,” featuring senior global voices including Elizabeth Maruma Mrema and Diana Ürge-Vorsatz.

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The dialogue will examine low-carbon housing systems, resilient infrastructure and strategies for protecting vulnerable populations from climate impacts.

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Environmental and urban resilience expert based in Port Harcourt, Dr Diette Agosa-Briggs, said coastal cities in Nigeria were becoming increasingly vulnerable due to climate pressures and weak planning systems.

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“In Port Harcourt and other Niger Delta cities, rising flooding incidents, poor drainage and unregulated urban expansion are putting enormous pressure on communities.

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“Climate change is no longer a future threat. It is already affecting how people live, where they live and whether communities can survive environmental shocks,” he said.

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Agosa-Briggs added that housing conversations globally must now go beyond construction numbers to include sustainability and environmental protection.

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“There is no point building thousands of homes in areas vulnerable to erosion, flooding or environmental degradation without resilience planning,” he noted.

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Why WUF13 matters

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Established by the United Nations in 2001, the World Urban Forum is regarded as the world’s leading conference on sustainable urbanisation.

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Previous editions have been hosted in countries including Kenya, Poland, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates.

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This year’s edition in Azerbaijan comes amid growing global concern over housing affordability, migration pressures, climate disasters and inequality in cities.

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The forum will feature top international voices including Jeffrey Sachs, Jonathan Reckford, Matthew Baldwin and Ming Zhang.

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Other participants expected include Ugochi Daniels, Dima Al-Khatib and Andrea Meza Murillo.

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Key sessions will focus on the global housing crisis, urban reconstruction in conflict zones, affordable housing in Africa, climate resilience and financing models for sustainable cities.

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Urban policy analysts believe outcomes from the forum could shape future international investments and urban development strategies affecting countries like Nigeria.

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For Nigeria, observers say the forum presents an opportunity to strengthen global partnerships, attract investment and learn from successful urban development models implemented elsewhere.

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The country’s rapidly growing population projected to exceed 400 million by 2050 means housing and urban planning challenges could intensify significantly in coming decades.

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Already, millions of Nigerians reside in informal settlements lacking access to potable water, healthcare, proper roads and sanitation facilities.

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In parts of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, rising rent costs have also pushed low-income earners further away from city centres, increasing transportation costs and worsening social inequalities.

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Despite repeated promises by successive administrations, affordable housing delivery in Nigeria has remained slow.

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Analysts blame the situation on policy inconsistencies, bureaucratic bottlenecks, weak mortgage systems, corruption and inadequate infrastructure.

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Although Public-Private Partnerships are increasingly promoted as the solution, some experts warn that PPP frameworks must be transparent and inclusive to avoid projects becoming inaccessible to ordinary Nigerians.

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Akinyemi said one recurring problem was that many housing schemes labelled “affordable” remained beyond the reach of low-income citizens.

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“You cannot build houses costing tens of millions of naira and describe them as affordable for average Nigerians earning modest salaries.

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“The affordability conversation must reflect local economic realities,” he said.

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Similarly, Yusuf stressed that urban planning must become more data-driven and inclusive.

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“We need long-term urban planning frameworks that survive political transitions. Housing policy should not change completely every four years because of politics,” she added.

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Hope amid challenges

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Still, many experts believe Nigeria possesses enormous opportunities to transform its housing sector if reforms are pursued consistently.

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The country’s large youth population, expanding construction sector and growing private investment interest provide significant potential for urban development.

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The Federal Government’s renewed focus on housing delivery, infrastructure financing and PPP arrangements is also seen as a positive signal by stakeholders, though many insist implementation remains the true test.

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As delegates prepare to gather in Baku for WUF13, the realities confronting Nigerian cities are expected to feature prominently within broader conversations about Africa’s urban future.

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For millions of Nigerians battling rising rents, overcrowded settlements and climate-related disasters, the hope is that the global conversations will eventually translate into practical solutions capable of improving lives beyond conference halls and policy documents.

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Because in communities across Nigeria, the housing crisis is no longer just an urban planning issue. It is increasingly becoming a question of survival, dignity and economic stability in a rapidly changing world.

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