“As more people migrate to cities in search of work, government must also strengthen rural infrastructure to slow displacement,” he said
He explained that Namibia is expanding access to finance for rural workers such as teachers and nurses, while investing in roads, water, and electricity to support housing outside major urban centres.
He stressed that population growth was outpacing housing supply worldwide, adding that people also sleep under bridges in London and Leeds.
Nigeria’s minister, Dangiwa,seized the occasion to challenge widely cited figures about Africa’s most populous nation.
He said there was no substantiated data to support the claims about Nigeria’s housing deficit of 30 million units.
Dangiwa said the findings based on population and other key parameters, would be made public early in the new year, a move he believes will improve planning and investment decisions.
On housing affordability, he listed public private partnership and land reforms as key levers to reduce costs
He explained that by removing land costs and reducing financing expenses would make homes more accessible to civil servants and low-income earners.
Director, Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), who doubles as the Convener of Africa Housing Awards, Mr.Festus Adebayo, urged operators in the housing sector to stay vigilant and proactive.
“Our sector is evolving-new technologies, shifting regulations, global economic pressures, and environmental challenges continue to influence the way we work. It is important that we recognize these changes early, monitor industry trends, and position ourselves to respond swiftly and strategically,” he said.
“For us in HDAN, we are committed to excellence and we shall continue to monitor the activities of all stakeholders to ensure professionalism in service delivery with zero tolerant to any form of unethical practices in the sector to ensure that the sector is devoid of scammers and fraudsters that take advantage of the innocent public.
“We would not hesitate to expose any fraudulent malpractices who have been given bad names to the sector even if you are our award recipient,” he added.
He said that HDAN is collaborating with the National Assembly, Federal Capital Territory, Federal Ministry of Housing, Lagos State government and other regulatory agencies to ensure appropriate regulations are put in place like what is obtainable in Dubai.
