The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has expressed serious concern over the rising housing deficit in the country, especially in urban centres, warning that if urgent action is not taken, most Nigerian cities may turn into sprawling slums by the year 2050.
Speaking at a symposium organised by the Ebonyi State chapter of the Institute, a former Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Ibem Eziyi, painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s urban housing situation.
According to Eziyi, Nigeria is urbanising at a very fast rate and now ranks among the most rapidly urbanising countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the country’s population projected to exceed 400 million by 2050 making it the third most populous nation globally after India and China the housing supply has failed to keep up with the population growth, especially in the cities.
“Many Nigerians, particularly low-income earners, are struggling to find decent accommodation. As a result, slums are multiplying in all our major urban areas,” Eziyi warned.
He further stated, “If you look around most Nigerian cities today, you’ll find people living in substandard conditions. These environments are not only unfit for living but also have serious implications on health, well-being, and productivity.”
The urban housing gap in Nigeria is estimated at over 20 million units, and this shortfall continues to widen due to rapid population growth, high cost of building materials, poor access to finance, and land acquisition challenges.
Eziyi warned that if the current trend is not reversed, Nigerian cities will increasingly be overwhelmed by slum settlements, with dire consequences for economic development, security, and public health.
“With the rate we are going, if something drastic is not done, most of our cities will become unplanned slums by 2050. Many citizens will be trapped in deplorable living conditions,” he added.
To tackle the crisis, Eziyi called for the adoption of several key strategies including:
Strengthening public-private partnerships in the housing sector
Promoting cooperative housing models for low-income earners
Encouraging the use of affordable and locally sourced building materials
Simplifying land tenure and approval processes to make housing development easier and faster
He emphasised that tackling Nigeria’s housing problem requires a collaborative and practical approach involving all stakeholders — government, professionals, communities, and the private sector.
Also speaking at the event, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc Emmanuel Udoniaye, said the symposium’s theme, “Bridging the Housing Deficit: Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Low-Cost Housing Delivery in Nigeria,” is not just a theoretical topic but a real challenge to national development.
He stressed that architects across the country are ready to provide innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s housing problems.
“Our response as architects must be swift, people-centred, and forward-thinking. Housing is not just about shelter — it’s about dignity, stability, and national development,” Udoniaye said.
The symposium brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the South-East to discuss actionable solutions to Nigeria’s deepening housing crisis.
