Editor’s note: In this piece, Jennifer Stephen questions whether 77,400 new homes can truly ease the burden for over 133 million poor Nigerians. The housing policy analyst breaks down the numbers and asks the tough questions about the federal government’s latest housing move.
“The most vulnerable groups are at greater risk of being homeless or living in unsafe and informal settlements if affordable housing is not made available.”
Why rent keeps rising in Nigeria’s cities?
Every day, urban cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano experience significant population increases. As more people move to these areas, the pressure on infrastructure, especially housing, intensifies. It’s no surprise that the average cost of a decent self-contained apartment in Abuja ranges from approximately N1.5 million to N4 million annually. These outrageous rent prices have increased homelessness, informal settlements, and the housing deficit in Nigeria.
Source: Twitter
As Nigeria’s population surpasses 200 million in 2025, the housing deficit is growing because the demand for housing exceeds its supply. Currently, Nigeria faces a housing deficit of over 20 million, which means that over 100 million people lack a decent place to call home.
Research shows that 72% of people in rural areas and 42% of those in urban areas live below the global poverty line of $1.90 per day, making it challenging for them to afford decent housing. As the housing shortage increases, informal settlements are rising in major urban areas. Many low-income and vulnerable families are being forced from adequate shelters into slums simply because they cannot keep up with the ever-increasing costs of decent housing in Nigeria.
The most vulnerable groups, such as low- or non-income earners, individuals with disabilities, and internally displaced persons, are at greater risk if social housing is not made available.
Rethinking rent: A call for urgent intervention
To address the housing deficit and improve access to decent housing, Yusuf Ata, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, announced a social housing initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda in June 2025. The government plans to provide 77,400 social housing units as part of this initiative.
While the announcement is seen as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges, questions remain about whether the 77,400 social housing units will meet the growing demands of non-and low-income Nigerians, who make up 70% of the population. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the announcement, breaking it down in simple terms for everyday Nigerians while also examining its feasibility, inclusivity, and potential long-term impact if implemented effectively.
Source: Twitter
What the government promised under the Renewed Hope Agenda
According to the Minister, 77,400 social housing units are to be delivered across local government areas in Nigeria.
This means mass housing provision. 100 housing units will be delivered to each of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. That is, 774LGAs x 100units = 77,400 social housing units in Nigeria.
Also inclusivity. 30% of the 77,400 housing units will be allocated to non-income Nigerians. That is: 30% of 77,400 = 23,220 units. So, 23,220 out of the 77,400 units are reserved strictly for Nigerians who do not earn a living.
Promise vs reality: Can 77,400 homes cover 133 million people?
“Social housing” refers to public housing that is deeply affordable, government-controlled, and not driven by profit. The announcement by the federal government to deliver 77,400 units of social housing aims to address the housing deficit that has led to homelessness, informal housing, urban slums, and displacement camps in Nigeria.
According to research, Nigeria’s housing deficit is estimated to be between 20 and 28 million units. This deficit stems from population growth, urban migration, low investment in affordable housing, and increasing demands from Nigerians. Research from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, which accounts for nearly 70% of the entire population of 228 million (as of 2025).
Read also
High fertiliser cost: Farmers boycott major crop farming, embrace low-cost crop production
If Nigeria has a housing deficit of 28 million units and the average household consists of five people, approximately 140 million Nigerians currently lack adequate housing. Furthermore, if 30% of the 77,400 social housing units (which is 23,220 units) are reserved for non-income earners, and 30% of the 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty require housing, that amounts to 39.9 million people in need of housing. Therefore, providing 23,220 housing units to 39.9 million people only covers about 0.0582% of the population, which is less than 1%.
When comparing these figures to the 77,400 social housing units set to be delivered by the federal government, it becomes clear that these numbers make little impact. While the government’s intention is commendable, the scale of the issue indicates that more needs to be done.
Source: Twitter
Blind spots in the Renewed Hope social housing programme
Any great idea without a clear execution timeline is merely wishful thinking. This is evident in the federal government’s announcement to deliver 77,400 social housing units across all local government areas, as it lacks a defined timeline. While the commitment to provide these housing units is commendable, there is no information available regarding the project’s commencement, completion, or delivery. Additionally, there is no evaluation report on the delivery of past social housing units from previous administrations, which would have been essential for guiding the government in developing sustainable housing solutions.
Furthermore, there is no clarity on how low- to no-income Nigerians will be selected for the program. It remains unclear how non-income earners can apply for these housing units and what the eligibility criteria will be, especially considering the limited availability of housing in comparison to the demand. Currently, there is also no social housing policy in place. Such a policy would be crucial for defining what constitutes a social housing unit within the Nigerian context. It would help protect these housing units from speculative real estate markets and ensure their affordability in the long term.
Conclusion: A way forward for Nigeria’s housing crisis
If single drops of water can create an ocean, then starting with 77,400 units of social housing for low- and non-income Nigerians is a commendable step toward closing the housing deficit and addressing homelessness. However, to make this effort truly impactful, the government must provide clear details on the execution and delivery timeline, eligibility and accessibility criteria, scaling strategy, financing mechanisms, and the establishment of a national social housing policy to prevent abuse and protect the intended beneficiaries of the programme.
Jennifer Stephen is an economic development strategist and housing policy advocate dedicated to promoting housing equity, affordability, and dignity in Nigeria and across Africa.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
Source: Legit.ng
