Make affordable housing a national economic priority, AIHS urges FG

The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), organisers of Africa’s largest housing and construction exhibition, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to elevate affordable housing to a national economic priority, noting that the sector holds the key to job creation, poverty reduction, industrialisation, and inclusive economic growth.

The call comes as the 20th Africa International Housing Show is ongoing at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, under the theme “Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa”.

Speaking ahead of the event, Festus Adebayo, chief executive officer of AIHS, urged the Federal Government to move beyond treating housing as a social welfare programme and instead position it as a strategic economic sector capable of transforming Nigeria’s economy.

“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,” Adebayo said.

He noted that despite Nigeria having one of the world’s largest housing deficits, the challenge presents a significant opportunity to stimulate investment, expand homeownership and accelerate economic development if backed by the right policies.

Adebayo called on President Tinubu to implement a comprehensive housing reform agenda anchored on clear economic objectives, including employment generation, wealth creation, industrial development, and economic diversification.

Among the proposals, AIHS recommended the establishment of a Presidential Affordable Housing Delivery Council comprising relevant federal ministries, state governments, development finance institutions, private sector operators, professional bodies, cooperatives, and representatives of informal sector workers to coordinate housing reforms nationwide.

The organisation also urged the federal government to collaborate with state governments to modernise land administration through the digitisation of land registries, simplified title registration processes, reduced consent fees, faster approval timelines and increased availability of serviced land for affordable housing projects.

On housing finance, AIHS advocated expanded access to long-term funding through mortgage institutions, cooperative housing schemes, rent-to-own programmes, micro-mortgages and other innovative financing models designed specifically for low-income earners and informal sector workers.

While commending the federal government’s ongoing housing initiatives, the organisation recommended that future housing estates reserve a substantial percentage of units for civil servants, artisans, market traders, transport workers, young professionals, and other low-income households through transparent affordability mechanisms.

AIHS further called for stronger support for local building materials and modern construction technologies by encouraging domestic production, promoting innovation, reducing dependence on imported inputs, and providing incentives for manufacturers producing affordable housing solutions.

The organisation also stressed the need to deepen public-private partnerships by creating an enabling environment that attracts greater investment from property developers, mortgage institutions, pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors.

It equally advocated the establishment of a National Housing Observatory to provide reliable data on housing demand and supply, affordability, land availability, informal settlements, and construction trends to support evidence-based policymaking.

Recognising that millions of Nigerians work in the informal economy, AIHS urged the government to develop dedicated housing policies and financing products tailored to the needs of artisans, traders, farmers, transport operators, and other informal sector workers.

According to Adebayo, investment in affordable housing should also be viewed as an investment in national security, public health, education, climate resilience, productivity, and social stability.

He said the six-day conference would bring together ministers, governors, lawmakers, development finance institutions, investors, developers, academics, manufacturers, diplomats and international organisations from across Africa to develop practical solutions to the continent’s housing challenges.

“Our objective is not merely to discuss housing challenges but to develop practical, implementable solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he said.

“We believe Nigeria can become the housing investment hub of Africa if the right policies are implemented consistently. The housing sector possesses enormous potential to create jobs for young people, empower small businesses, stimulate manufacturing, deepen financial inclusion, attract foreign investment and accelerate national economic growth.”

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

Adebayo also urged President Tinubu to seize what he described as a historic opportunity to implement bold housing reforms that would expand homeownership, strengthen industries, create sustainable jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

“The future of Nigeria’s economy is closely linked to the future of its housing sector. A nation that invests in affordable housing invests in prosperity, dignity, stability and lasting national development,” he said.