The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide scientific, verifiable data on Nigeria’s housing deficit and to enhance access to affordable housing.

This decision was reached during a plenary session on Tuesday, following the adoption of a motion titled “Provision of Affordable Housing in Nigeria,” which was sponsored by Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, the representative for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State.

Ukpong-Udo emphasized the crucial role of accurate data in the planning and implementation of housing policies. He pointed out that the housing sector in Nigeria suffers from a significant deficit, and the lack of reliable data hampers effective policy making. According to the World Population Review, over 24 million Nigerians are homeless, with limited access to basic amenities and proper shelter.

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The motion also highlighted that Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest homeless populations, with only Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, and Congo following in numbers. The lawmakers expressed concern that Nigeria’s housing data is primarily sourced from the World Bank, instead of being locally generated.

For national stability and growth, the House argued, it is essential for Nigeria to develop its own housing data and create a functional housing market that offers citizens decent and affordable living conditions. In response to the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the Committee on Housing and Habitat to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to address the data gap and ensure better access to housing across the country.

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