Housing Minister reveals scale of structural inadequacy, says focus must go beyond new construction
The Federal Government has revealed that about 15.2 million housing units across Nigeria are structurally inadequate, despite physically existing in communities nationwide.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in a statement dated December 16, 2025.
According to the Minister, these homes fall short of minimum requirements for safety, durability, habitability and access to basic services, making them unsuitable for decent living.
The findings were generated under the National Housing Data Initiative and presented by the National Housing Data Technical Committee in Abuja.
Housing crisis deeper than numbers
Dangiwa explained that Nigeria’s housing problem is not limited to the number of homes available but also the quality of existing housing stock, noting that estimates of the housing deficit have often varied due to differences in methodology.
Using harmonised and internationally recognised assessment tools, the Ministry identified 15.2 million inadequate housing units nationwide.
The assessment relied on the Household Crowding Index, Adequate Housing Index, and Composite Index Methodology, drawing data from the National Population Commission (NPC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other housing-sector institutions, in line with World Bank standards.
The Minister stressed that addressing the crisis requires more than building new homes.
“These findings clearly show that Nigeria’s housing challenge is not only about new construction but also about upgrading existing housing stock, regenerating deteriorated neighbourhoods, improving infrastructure and basic services, and ensuring dignity and safety in housing outcomes,” Dangiwa said.
He added that housing inadequacy is linked to wider structural issues, including affordability constraints, limited access to land, housing finance challenges and regional imbalances.
Data-driven solutions underway
Based on the Adequate Housing Index, Kano State recorded the highest level of housing inadequacy, while Bayelsa State recorded the lowest, according to the report.
To strengthen evidence-based policymaking, the Ministry has commenced steps to establish a National Housing Data Centre. The Centre is expected to support policy formulation, investment planning, access to housing finance and large-scale housing delivery.
The initiative is also aimed at improving planning accuracy, investor confidence and accountability within the housing market. The Housing Data Committee’s report will be circulated to relevant government agencies, while the Data Centre is projected to become operational by mid-January 2026.
What the government is doing
The Federal Government is currently addressing housing challenges through the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities Programme, with multiple projects underway across the country.
Under the initiative:
- Renewed Hope Cities are large-scale developments, with one planned in each geopolitical zone and one in the Federal Capital Territory. These projects are executed through public-private partnerships (PPP), where private developers provide financing, land and infrastructure. As a result, unit prices are higher, with one-bedroom apartments selling for about N22 million.
- Renewed Hope Estates are smaller developments of about 250 housing units, funded directly by the Federal Government. State governments provide land at no cost, while infrastructure is subsidised to keep prices lower. One-bedroom units under this model sell for between N8 million and N9 million.
Despite these interventions, Dangiwa said Nigeria’s housing deficit remains severe, noting that bridging the gap would require about 550,000 new housing units annually, at an estimated cost of N5.5 trillion over the next decade.
About the Author
