Lagos State, the commercial hub of Nigeria, has emerged as the top performer in delivering affordable housing projects in the country. According to a report by the Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria (AHCN), Lagos State completed 960 housing units in the last year, more than any other state in the federation.
Based on data collected from state housing agencies, the report showed that Katsina State followed Lagos State with 185 units, Edo State with 94 units, Niger State with 38 units, Benue State with 30 units, and Oyo State with 20 units. The report also revealed that Lagos State had the highest number of ongoing housing projects, with 5,580 units, comprising 1,968 by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) and 3,612 by the Ministry of Housing.
The AHCN report highlighted the Lagos State government’s efforts to address the state’s housing deficit, which is estimated at over three million units. The report stated that the Ministry of Housing had developed over 3,596 housing units in the last eight years, using various schemes such as rent-to-own, mortgage, and outright purchase. The report also commended the LSDPC for its innovative and sustainable approach to housing delivery, which involved partnering with private developers and financial institutions.
The report noted that some other states were also making progress in providing affordable housing for their citizens. For instance, Bauchi State ranked second in the number of ongoing projects with 2,500 units, a collaboration between the state and Family Home Funds Limited, a federal government initiative to facilitate access to housing finance. Similarly, Bayelsa State had 494 ongoing projects, Ogun State had 334 projects, Benue State had 200 projects, Adamawa State had 45 units, and Oyo State had 13.
However, the report also pointed out that some states had no records of their housing activities in the last year, while others had dormant housing agencies. The report urged all states to emulate Lagos State and adopt proactive and pragmatic policies to address the housing challenges in their domains. The report also called for more collaboration between the federal, state, and local governments and the private sector to ensure adequate and affordable housing for all Nigerians.
The AHCN report came when Nigeria faced a severe housing crisis, with an estimated deficit of over 22 million units. According to the World Bank, Nigeria needs to build at least 700,000 units annually to meet its housing demand, but only about 100,000 units are built annually. The lack of affordable housing has led to overcrowding, slum development, and homelessness in many urban areas.
The AHCN is an umbrella body of all state-owned housing corporations and agencies in Nigeria. Its main objective is to promote and facilitate the provision of decent and affordable housing for Nigerians through advocacy, research, and capacity building.
Source: Tribune Online
