Builders propose national strategy to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit

The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has proposed the development of a comprehensive national housing delivery strategy and a national plan for the production of local building materials to address Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Dr Samson Opaluwah, Chairman of CORBON, made this proposal at a news conference on the council’s 35th anniversary on Wednesday in Abuja.

He stressed the need for a robust programme to train building professionals, including builders, building technologists, technicians, and building trades artisans, to meet the country’s housing demand.

Opaluwah also noted the importance of reorganising the building materials marketing system to ensure quality control and easy access to materials across the country, which is critical in addressing the housing deficit.

“Globally, the building and construction industry is responsible for providing and maintaining infrastructure and remains a key indicator of economic growth and development.

“Nigeria is no exception. Given the huge housing gap, estimated at 17 to 20 million depending on the source, there is an urgent need for a focused strategy to address this issue,” said Opaluwah.

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He noted that the building and construction sector in Nigeria was one of the top 10 employers of labour.

“The more activities generated in this sector, the more skilled and unskilled persons are employed, helping to reduce unemployment and its socio-economic consequences,” he added.

Opaluwah stated that CORBON, as an agency of the government, continued to regulate the building profession in Nigeria through actions such as accrediting training programmes, issuing regulations and practice directions, and registering and licensing builders.

He also noted the establishment of the Project Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (PEMU) to monitor building construction and support the capacity of sub-national government agencies in monitoring and evaluating building production processes across the country.

He said that CORBON was collaborating with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to strengthen building control frameworks.

“Collaborations like this will ensure the enforcement of standards and the delivery of quality projects that benefit the nation’s economy,” he stated.

As part of efforts to bridge the housing gap, Opaluwah proposed the development of a responsive social housing programme aimed at addressing the housing needs of vulnerable groups in society.

He also called for a review of the current system for accessing land for housing development to ensure equitable distribution for individuals and developers.

To combat building collapses, CORBON has introduced the Builders Management Portal (BuMaP), a digital tool to verify the professional status of registered builders online.

He said the council also established a diaspora network for builders outside Nigeria and inaugurated the Registered Builders Disciplinary Tribunal to help curb building collapses.

Opaluwah concluded by recommending stricter enforcement of building regulations, improved supervision, and the adoption of modern construction techniques as key measures to prevent future building collapses.

He added that these efforts were expected to reduce youth unemployment, decrease the housing deficit, address substandard products, and improve maintenance culture, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in the country.