Deficit in Housing Stock in Nigeria – Way Forward

NWABUNA, NWOKEDI P. AND EMEKA OKORIE

Department of Architectural Technology

Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana– Afikpo Ebonyi State

E-mail: patrickdeclan99@gmail.com, emekaokorie2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper aims at examining the possible ways through which Governments at all levels, corporate organizations and individuals can provide the much needed houses so as to bring the housing stock deficit to that level or position to impact positively on the welfare and productivity of the Nigerian people. The population of Nigeria keeps growing at an alarming growth rate per annum; in like manner the need for affordable houses keeps growing. In other words, population growth and housing needs go hand in hand. After food comes shelter in the order of the primary needs of man. It is in the interest of the governments, corporate organizations and individuals to apply concerted efforts to meet this growing demand for shelter; for not doing so will eventually create an emergency situation in the demand for houses to live in. The effect of this emergency can impact negatively on the productivity of the populace and again affect the gross domestic product of the nation. The efforts of governments towards bridging the deficit were analysed and the paper found that certain factors are still militating against these efforts. These factors are in the realm of what governments, corporate organizations or even individuals ought to have done or should be doing to see that the deficit in housing stock is reduced. It identifies some of these factors and at the end made recommendations towards bridging the deficit in Housing stock in Nigeria.