Existing Strategies for Ameliorating Housing Challenges in Nigeria

Abstract

The right to adequate shelter is a right that is universally acknowledged both nationally and internationally. Despite this global recognition, housing right appears elusive due to the increasing rate of urbanisation resulting in acute housing deficit. The problem of housing is more pronounced in developing countries such as Nigeria than in developed countries. To this end, this paper, through a textual review, discussed some significant challenges of housing in Nigeria, ranging from inadequate funding, lack of secure access to land, rapid population growth, high cost of buildings materials, lack of well-developed mortgage institutions to high fees associated with land development. It considers the efficacy of the existing strategies that the government has deployed to cushion the adverse effect of the acute shortage of housing in Nigeria. These strategies involve public-private partnership, site and service scheme, amongst others. The research finds that these strategies produce a relatively low quantity of affordable housing for Nigeria's middle and low-income people. Consequently, it recommends initiatives that could play pivotal roles in reducing the housing gap and, if well harnessed, can assist policy makers in the drive towards achieving sustainable housing provision in Nigeria.