Housing sector stakeholders in Nigeria have canvassed reforms that can transform the country’s economy, create millions of jobs, reduce poverty, and make decent housing accessible to low-income earners and informal workers.

The stakeholders reasoned that housing should no longer be viewed merely as a social programme, but as one of Nigeria’s most strategic economic sectors capable of driving inclusive growth, industrialisation, investment, and national prosperity.

They spoke ahead of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), Africa’s largest housing and construction event, with the theme, ‘Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa,’ urging President Bola Tinubu to champion the reforms.

Festus Adebayo, the chief host of AIHS, noted that no nation has achieved sustainable economic development without making housing a central pillar of its development agenda.

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“Housing is far more than the construction of buildings. It is an engine of economic growth. It creates jobs, stimulates manufacturing, supports financial services, promotes urban development, improves public health, strengthens family stability, and contributes significantly to national productivity.

Nigeria has one of the largest housing deficits in the world. Yet, this challenge also presents one of the country’s greatest economic opportunities. If properly harnessed, housing can become a major driver of economic transformation and social inclusion,” he said.

Among other things, Adebayo called on President Tinubu to implement a comprehensive housing reform by declaring housing a national economic priority, establishing a presidential council on affordable housing, and reforming land administration across Nigeria.

He also wants the president to expand affordable housing finance, promote local building materials and modern construction technologies, strengthen public-private partnerships, improve housing data and planning, prioritise housing for informal workers, and position housing as a tool for national development.

The chief host said that housing should be recognised as a strategic sector for economic diversification, employment generation, wealth creation, and industrial development, with clear national targets and measurable outcomes.

He advised that the affordable housing delivery council should comprise relevant ministries, state governments, development finance institutions, the private sector, professional bodies, cooperatives, and representatives of informal workers to coordinate housing reforms nationwide.

Adebayo advised further that the federal government should work with state governments to modernise land administration by digitising land registries, simplifying title registration, reducing consent fees, shortening approval timelines, and making serviced land available for affordable housing projects.

He called on state governments, members of the National Assembly, financial institutions, development partners, professional bodies, organised private sector organisations, manufacturers, researchers, civil society organisations, and international agencies to work collaboratively in addressing Africa’s housing deficit.

According to him, “no single institution can solve the housing challenge alone; it requires visionary leadership, sound public policy, innovative financing, efficient land administration, strong institutions, and effective partnerships between the public and private sectors.”