Housing Data: Nigeria’s Urgent Race Against Time
Housing Data is a critical component in the planning and execution of projects at both federal and sub-national levels. As technology continues to reshape various sectors, many countries are leveraging data to pinpoint specific challenges and devise appropriate solutions. In Nigeria, however, the housing sector, which suffers from a significant deficit, lacks reliable data essential for effective policy-making and strategy development.
According to the World Population Review, Nigeria has a staggering 24 million people without homes. The report highlights that "Over 24 million people are considered homeless, with many more lacking proper access to suitable dwellings with basic services."
Nigeria is ranked among the top ten countries with the highest homeless populations, leading with 24 million homeless individuals, followed by Pakistan (20 million), Egypt (12 million), Syria (6.5 million), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (5.3 million). Other countries in this category include Bangladesh (5 million), Colombia (4.9 million), Afghanistan (4.6 million), the Philippines (4.5 million), and Yemen (3.8 million).
Due to the absence of comprehensive domestic data, Nigeria has traditionally relied on reports from the World Bank to gauge housing statistics, lacking a robust system to track how many homes are available for its population.
Industry expert Mamman Musa emphasized the importance of having accurate housing data for national growth, peace, and stability. He noted, "To address the numerous issues in the housing sector, having credible, scientific, and verifiable data on the state of housing in Nigeria is crucial. Without this data, we cannot fully understand the scale of the problem, allocate resources effectively, or make informed decisions on areas that require urgent attention. Operating without such data is unsustainable."
The urgency of this issue has prompted the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, to express concerns about the reliability of existing housing data in Nigeria. While inaugurating a joint committee on housing data, he emphasized the need for credible information, stating that ensuring access to decent and affordable housing is not only a government responsibility but also a driver of economic development, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Dangiwa further explained, "We recognize the housing deficit and the prevalence of substandard housing that fails to meet basic standards of habitability, safety, security, comfort, and sanitation. However, accurate data is essential for the government to plan effectively."
The newly formed committee includes representatives from key stakeholders in the housing market, such as the National Population Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. The committee has been given three months to establish a national housing data center.