Housing Conditions In Nigeria Inhumane – UN Rapporteur – UN

By Chuks Ekpeneru

The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Ms. Leilani Farha, has expressed shock over inhumane and insufferable housing conditions in Nigeria in the 21st century.

She noted that this was unacceptable particularly in an oil-producing country, showing relatively strong economic growth.

Farha stated that commitments by successive governments failed to improve housing conditions.

Using data from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Farah estimated that the country currently has a deficit of 22 million housing units, a figure she said, was steadily rising as urban populations continued to increase at alarming rates. Farha said in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest urban area, about 70 percent of the total population lives in informal housing with the housing deficit at 2.5 million units, according to the state government.

She also said in major centres such as Lagos  Abuja, Ibadan and Kano, housing demand is growing by about 20 percent each year.

 “Nigeria’s housing sector is in a complete crisis. There is no current national housing action plan or strategy. Coordination and communication between federal and state governments seems lacking.

“Private market housing is unaffordable for most, rental housing is scarce. It requires tenants to have one or two years’ rent in advance and there is no rent control or caps,” Farha said.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG