FG Sets Nigeria's Housing Deficit at 15 Million Units Using Global Standards

Nigeria's housing deficit has been officially quantified at 15 million units, marking an end to years of conflicting estimates. The Federal Government has adopted new global housing standards to guide policy and accelerate access to affordable homes across the nation.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Muttaqha Darma, announced the figure during a Stakeholders Validation Workshop in Abuja. The estimate was derived using methodologies from the World Bank Adequate Housing Index and the UN-Habitat Household Crowding Index. These findings indicate that the North-West and North-East regions are under the most significant housing pressure due to rapid population growth and insufficient housing supply.

To address these challenges, the government is proposing a National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy. This policy aims to enhance planning, improve housing delivery, and boost investor confidence by regulating developers, strengthening construction quality, and protecting homeowners from fraudulent practices. Credible housing data is seen as crucial for evidence-based decision-making and effective monitoring of housing initiatives, overcoming previous hindrances caused by fragmented data systems and weak regulation.

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The North-West and North-East remained the regions under the greatest housing pressure due to rapid population growth and inadequate housing supply.