There is a housing deficit gap in Nigeria, which is very controversial. Some people are saying that many houses are available and are not occupied, so by and large there is a gap, but I think more is on affordability. There are houses, but many of them are not taken because people cannot afford them.
What is the way forward for bridging this affordability gap?
The Federal Mortgage Bank was set up to facilitate the ownership of housing in Nigeria, and that is why the National Housing Fund was established. But what has happened is that very many people have not been captured in that National Housing Fund net, though the funds are not adequate for that purpose. I have seen some of the efforts that have been made by the current government, particularly by the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa.
Dangiwa was a former managing director of FMBN, which is the apex bank for the provision of housing in the country. The combination of his experience as the managing director of FMBN, and now being in the driving seat as the Minister of Housing is of immense advantage. And I think some of the steps he has taken are encouraging. So, we need to encourage him; it is not a day’s job. So, all hands must be on deck to reduce the housing gap.
There have been numerous reports of buildings collapsing and leading to the loss of lives in different parts of the country. What do you think is to blame for these tragedies?
