By Kingsley Adegboye
The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has urged Nigeria’s legislature to take decisive action through comprehensive legislative reforms aimed at tackling the country’s massive housing deficit and making homeownership more accessible to millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Executive Director of HDAN, Festus Adebayo, emphasised that achieving affordable housing at scale requires more than good intentions, stressing the critical role of strong legislative backing in transforming the housing sector into a major driver of economic growth and social stability.
“Housing is not just a real estate issue; it is economic infrastructure. Without deliberate laws that support housing finance, land access, and construction efficiency, the dream of homeownership for low- and middle-income Nigerians will remain out of reach,” Adebayo said.
The Network identified several key areas where urgent legislative intervention is needed, including:
– Enactment of a clear and efficient Foreclosure and Mortgage Recovery Law to reduce lending risks and encourage long-term mortgage financing.
– Establishment of a government-backed Mortgage Guarantee Corporation to de-risk lending, especially for low-income earners and workers in the informal sector.
– Modernisation of land administration systems, including digitisation of title registration to improve access to land for housing development.
– Introduction of targeted tax reliefs, VAT exemptions, and other fiscal incentives for developers committed to delivering affordable housing.
– Strengthening of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks to attract private sector investment into large-scale housing projects.
– Reforms to strengthen institutions such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and promote the growth of mortgage-backed securities.
– Support for local production of building materials and adoption of cost-effective construction technologies.
– Formalisation of alternative housing models such as rent-to-own schemes, cooperative housing, and micro-mortgages.
– Enhanced consumer protection and regulation of developers to ensure transparency in housing transactions.
HDAN noted that these critical areas of reform will form the major focus of discussions at the 20th anniversary edition of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS @20 – Legacy Edition), scheduled to hold from July 13 to 18, 2026, in Abuja.
The Network called on government institutions, private sector players, development partners, and industry stakeholders to actively participate in shaping practical and scalable solutions for affordable housing delivery across Africa.
Adebayo added that Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated at over 50 million units, presents a significant opportunity for economic transformation if properly addressed through legislative support.
“The legislature has a historic opportunity to unlock housing at scale, stimulate job creation, deepen financial markets, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
HDAN reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to develop and implement policies that will make housing more accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
Article AIHS @20: HDAN pushes affordable housing, legislative reforms Live On NgGossips.
