Bridging housing deficit through technology

• ‘We must address 17 million housing deficit, 25% ownership rate in Nigeria”

For many Nigerians, especially urban dwellers, having a roof over their heads and that of their families is a nightmare they pray fervently will pass over them.

However, one sure way to tackle this nightmare is in the deployment of technology. This was the high point of the recommendations of the second summit of the Nigerian Real Estate summit held in Lagoos recently.

Inspired by the need to chart a new path, provide solution to housing deficit question and restore gravitas in the real estate sector, stakeholders met for what has been described as one of the most important events in the Nigerian real estate calendar.

With support from over 50 leading Nigerian companies and counterpart firms from the UK, Ghana, South Africa and UAE, the summit was for many, a marketplace of ideas for policy makers, investors and professionals in the real estate sector to transform the housing landscape.

The head of the summit’s organising committee, Steve Ike, did not mince words about what the organisers of the summit and Expo with the theme: “Collaborating, Innovating and growing to achieve adequate and affordable housing delivery in Nigeria’’ intended to achieve.

His words: “To address the impact of the geopolitical, economic and societal challenges facing the real estate industry and create new sources of growth, stakeholders need to adapt and rethink their strategies by collaborating with fellow players and creating new forms of philosophies. The NIRESE summit is designed to offer insights, inspiration and solution-oriented tools to turn these philosophies into actions.’’

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, opined that partnership of government and private sector will reduce housing deficit in Nigeria.

Ambode traced persistent increase in rent to housing deficit, adding that Lagos, with over 22 million people has a housing deficit of three million units.

Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Foluso Dipe, the Lagos governor said the rent-to-own policy was part of the measures by the Lagos state government to address housing deficit.

But with 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria, according to experts, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2015 identified the real estate sector as having the potential of becoming one of the fastest growing industries in Nigeria.

How technology can reduce housing deficit

Delivering her keynote address, the CEO of Afriland Properties , Uzo Oshogwe, urged stakeholders, governments at all levels and Nigerians to embrace new technology to reduce construction cost to make more house owners.

According to Oshogwe, Nigeria has 17 million housing deficit with 25% ownership rate, while Kenya, Benin Republic and America have 73%, 63% and 72% respectively.

Oshogwe said, “Everaging technology is one of the ways to solve housing deficit in Nigeria. There is need to reduce cost of construction. Building technique is a significant area where technology has the potential to radically reduce cost, whether it’s new design or materials.

Looking beyond bricks and mortars

For Uzo Oshogwe, there is need for Nigerians to embrace alternatives to bricks if housing deficit must be tackled.

“We have empty homes in Lagos, but the fact is people have built houses that are not affordable. We need to go back to the drawing board to find a way out. Majority of houses in the US are prefab homes. Relying on bricks will not cut it. You don’t need need bricks to own a home. I think we must start within ourselves, what kind of home do we want? Let’s start by accepting that Americans do not live in houses made of bricks and they have beautiful houses. We need to rethink our system.’’

The Mud Architecture Debate

The cost of construction can be reduced by 15% or 20% if a mud house is built when compared to the cost of cement construction, says Oshogwe.

According Oshogwe, cement or bricks are not needed to have a decent house, stating that, one can get a decent house with the assistance of technology.

Baring his mind on the matter, first Vice President of Nigerian Institute Building, NIB, Mr Ken Nduka, said, “Construction is delivered on three tripods: quality, cost and time of delivery. If you don’t engage a professional, you are on the speed lane of disaster.

On the appropriateness of building mud house in the city, he said, “Technology can be applied to give you what you want.

“Any material that is insured against the penetration of moisture is okay, but you must engage a professional”.

However, former Lagos State Commissioner for Housing and the current second Vice President of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners,Toyin Ayinde, has said that mud houses are not good for urban areas due to the unregulated system operated in this clime.