Kano Tops List of Inadequate Housing as Government Moves to Institutionalise National Housing Data
The Federal Government has disclosed that 15.2 million homes across Nigeria are structurally unsafe, revealing the scale of the country’s housing crisis and deep regional disparities in housing quality.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during the presentation of the National Housing Data Initiative by the National Housing Data Technical Committee in Abuja. The Ministry also shared the development via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to the findings, Kano State recorded the highest number of inadequate housing units, while Bayelsa State had the lowest, highlighting uneven housing conditions across different parts of the country.
Dangiwa explained that the data confirms Nigeria’s housing challenge goes beyond numbers, combining both housing shortages and poor-quality living conditions.
“Beyond headline deficit figures, we can now state with clarity and confidence that Nigeria faces a housing inadequacy challenge affecting approximately 15.2 million housing units nationwide,” the minister said.
He clarified that the affected homes are physically existing structures that fall short of acceptable standards for safety, habitability, durability, access to basic services, and supporting infrastructure.
The findings were generated using globally recognised assessment tools, including the Household Crowding Index, Adequate Housing Index, and a Composite Index Methodology. These were supported by data from the National Population Commission (NPC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other housing-sector institutions.
The National Housing Data Technical Committee was inaugurated in August 2024 to develop a harmonised national housing data framework that would support evidence-based policymaking, planning, and investment.
Dangiwa stressed that the report shows Nigeria’s housing solution must go beyond constructing new buildings.
“These findings make it clear that our housing challenge is not only about building more houses, but also about upgrading existing homes, regenerating deteriorating neighbourhoods, improving infrastructure, and ensuring safe and dignified living conditions for Nigerians,” he said.
While housing inadequacy formed a key focus of the report, the minister noted that it represents just one aspect of Nigeria’s broader housing deficit. He emphasised the need to apply the same level of analytical rigour to other critical areas, including affordability, access to land and secure tenure, availability of housing finance, infrastructure gaps, and urban–rural disparities.
He added that population growth, urbanisation trends, household formation patterns, and demographic projections must also be factored into long-term housing planning.
Dangiwa formally accepted the report on behalf of the Ministry, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s housing and urban development reform process.
He also revealed that the Federal Government has begun steps to institutionalise housing data through the creation of a National Housing Data Centre, which will initially operate within the Ministry and later be established under a statutory or special-purpose framework.
According to him, the proposed centre will serve as a permanent national institution to support housing policy development, investment decisions, access to housing finance, and large-scale housing delivery.
The minister commended the National Housing Data Technical Committee, chaired by Taofeeq Olatinwo, and acknowledged contributions from key institutions, including FMHUD, NMRC, NBS, NPC, CBN, FMBN, FHA, Family Homes Funds Limited, and several industry associations and experts.
He announced that committee members and participating institutions will receive formal letters of recognition for their roles in producing the report.
Dangiwa said the National Housing Data Initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, strengthening the government’s ability to deliver affordable and social housing, attract investment, expand access to housing finance, and improve accountability in the housing sector.
“Data is no longer peripheral to housing delivery; it is now central to it,” the minister said. “With this initiative, Nigeria is better positioned to plan accurately, invest confidently, and deliver housing more equitably.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Shuab Belgore, announced that the committee’s report will be formally published and circulated to relevant agencies. He directed the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics to fast-track the establishment of the Data Centre, with a target completion date of mid-January 2026.
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman Taofeeq Olatinwo said the housing assessment involved extensive collaboration with industry experts, financial institutions, and international partners, including the World Bank, to ensure data consistency and global standards.
He explained that the multidimensional housing index assessed access to essential services such as water, electricity, sanitation, and overall living conditions.
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