Nigerian housing group urges reforms to attract institutional investment

The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition affordable housing from a social welfare programme into a strategic economic sector. The advocacy group, speaking at its six-day conference in Abuja, argues that treating housing as a core economic driver is necessary to unlock capital and accelerate industrialisation.

For investors, the proposal targets structural bottlenecks that have historically restricted capital deployment in Nigerian real estate. AIHS CEO Festus Adebayo emphasised that the sector's potential extends beyond construction, directly stimulating manufacturing, financial services, and job creation. "We believe Nigeria can become the housing investment hub of Africa if the right policies are implemented consistently," Adebayo said.

To coordinate these reforms, AIHS recommended establishing a Presidential Affordable Housing Delivery Council comprising federal ministries, state governments, development finance institutions, and private sector operators. The group also urges the government to digitise land registries, simplify title registration, and reduce consent fees to accelerate project timelines.

On the financing side, the organisation wants expanded access to long-term funding through mortgage institutions, cooperative schemes, and micro-mortgages tailored to informal sector workers. Crucially for pension funds and insurance companies, AIHS is pushing for deeper public-private partnerships by creating an environment that attracts greater institutional investment.

The proposal also highlights supply chain opportunities, urging incentives for domestic manufacturers of building materials to reduce import dependence. Future government-backed housing estates should reserve a substantial percentage of units for low-income households through transparent affordability mechanisms. To support evidence-based policymaking, AIHS called for a National Housing Observatory to track market data.

Adebayo framed the policy shift as a broader macroeconomic imperative. "The future of Nigeria’s economy is closely linked to the future of its housing sector," he said. "A nation that invests in affordable housing invests in prosperity, dignity, stability and lasting national development."