Experts in built industry have stated explicitly that the prevailing factors that affect the execution of affordable housing delivery needs strategic overhauling, aimed at solving the identified impediments  to give hope to future prospective homeowners/off-takers in Africa.

In addition,they argued that most housing policies are not really helping the citizens because they have not taken into consideration the low income earners and other groups, adding, housing delivery should be based on income, as building inclusive cities is the best approach.

Speaking at the Africa International Housing Show, AIHS, in Abuja, Minister of Housing and Urban Development,Mattaqha Rabe Darma said that it has become imperative that we reposition land administration as a strategic instrument for delivering affordable housing.

According to Darma,by simplifying land administration processes, reducing the cost of land transactions, strengthening tenure security, and embracing digital technologies, we can significantly lower the cost of housing delivery while expanding access to finance and encouraging private sector investment.

Similarly, he emphasized that the future of mass housing in Africa will depend not only on the number of houses we build but also on our collective ability to make land accessible, secure, affordable, and productive for all homeownership, and inclusive urban development.

Also speaking, Prof. Timothy G. Nubi of University of Lagos, said land acquisition, and other components, like construction cost,and building materials have formed parts of problems for Nigerians, saying , in most cases the government put the cart before the horse in their housing delivery.

The University don argued that inclusivity is the answer to site and service, and these can be unbundled, adding that all over African continent, most people don’t build to live but they are now buying houses or property, and even acquire plots to sell in future.

In a presentation, Prof. Iyenemi I.  Kakulu of Rivers state University of Port Harcourt, said that many are unable to obtain secure land titles, access mortgage finance, or navigate the complexities associated with land acquisition and documentation.

“Consequently, the dream of homeownership remains beyond the reach of many hardworking citizens. The land issue is the problem of the people, and so it is in building houses in Nigeria and Africa in general,”Kakulu remarked.

Also speaking,Femi Falana argued that site and service are being taken from the poor and vulnerable group, while every individual is entitled to a home, this is the responsibility of the government, but Alhaji Jakande was able to construct  40,000 housing units within four years.

Shehu Usman Osidi of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria stated,”Many cannot accumulate the sizeable equity contributions required to access traditional mortgage finance. Ironically, these are the very Nigerians who contribute immensely to national productivity yet remain the most financially excluded from formal housing finance systems.”

“We are also modernising land administration, strengthening the National Land Information System, promoting geospatial mapping and improving land governance to enhance transparency, reduce transaction costs and facilitate easier access to land for development.”

Contributing, the Founder of AIHS, Festus Adebayo said Africa deserved a platform entirely dedicated to finding practical solutions to its housing challenges. We started this journey with faith, determination and a commitment to unite the housing ecosystem.

According to him, millions of hardworking Africans-including teachers, artisans, traders, farmers, transport workers, market women, security personnel, youths and countless others remain excluded from formal housing systems, while homeownership remains beyond their reach.

The Founder stressed that no single institution can solve Africa’s housing challenge alone. But together, we can build an Africa where decent housing is affordable, accessible and sustainable for all.