Dynamics of Housing Affordability for the Rural Population of Nigeria

Abstract

Inclusive, safe, resilient, affordable, accessible and sustainable housing is a fundamental human right articulated by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.7, 11.a, 11.b and 11.c and Nigeria is a signatory to many such international protocols coupled with the charge under its 1999 Constitution (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy) that ‘suitable and adequate shelter… are provided for all citizens’. In the light of the rich context of these novel instruments, the challenge posed by available housing quantity, quality and affordability all over the world and particularly in Nigeria’s rural areas is still increasingly dire. This study examines the concept of housing affordability and relates it with the rural capacity to acquire housing. It also assesses the indisputability of government rhetorics at providing housing in relation to the current housing dilemma in the country’s rural sector. Analysis of data obtained from published works and other secondary sources confirmed that both institutional and structural factors mediate significantly in undermining Government’s goal of making housing affordable. Based on these findings, it is hoped that measures such as the adoption of improved but readily available local building materials; tailoring of designs to meet ‘necessary housing’ requirements as against ‘luxury housing’; re-orientation of the people regarding realistic accommodation targets; as well as the introduction of a National Rural Housing Policy can go a long way in reversing the housing quagmire in Nigeria’s predominantly rural settings.

Keywords: Nigeria; Right to Housing; Affordability; Rural Housing; Designs