Northern Nigeria Faces Largest Share of 17 Million Housing Deficit – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has highlighted the significant housing deficit in Nigeria, noting that the Northern region bears the largest portion of this shortfall. Speaking at the conclusion of the inaugural Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, Abbas emphasized that housing is a fundamental right and called for unified government efforts to support affordable housing initiatives to combat homelessness.

Represented by Abdulmumini Jibril, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Housing Affairs, Abbas cited statistics indicating a deficit of 17 million housing units, predominantly in urban areas of Northern Nigeria. He stressed the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to address this critical issue, advocating for housing developments that are eco-friendly, socially inclusive, and economically viable.

Abbas traced the history of housing exhibitions back to the late 19th century, noting their importance in showcasing advancements in housing projects, urban planning, and architecture. He called for comprehensive policies to promote affordable housing, improve urban planning, enhance infrastructure, combat homelessness, protect against forced evictions, and ensure equal housing access for all citizens.

He underscored the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, academia, and international partners, to develop innovative solutions to meet housing needs effectively. According to Abbas, a holistic approach is required to increase the supply of affordable housing, address property rights, improve building standards, and enhance urban planning.

Shamsudeen Yusuf, Chairman of the Board of Kaduna International Housing Exhibition Limited, emphasized that the exhibition demonstrates collective efforts to tackle the housing deficit in Kaduna state and beyond. He noted that it offers a platform for exploring innovative solutions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the housing sector and built environment.