Factors Militating Against Federal Government of Nigeria’s Affordable Housing Delivery Programme

Abstract

The housing unit deficit has been a problem for a long time in Nigeria. Successive governments have tried different methods aimed at providing affordable housing for Nigerians. In this study, the authors examine efforts by President Mohammed Buhari to provide decent and affordable housing to Nigerians during his administration, 2015 – 2023. Also evaluated was the degree of success of the president's poverty alleviation programme and job creation scheme for Nigerian youths. The study used secondary data. The specific objective was to analyse the extent to which the president has tackled the housing unit deficit through the following programmes: National Housing Programme (NHP), Family Home Fund Limited (FHF), and National Housing Fund (NHF). Relevant literature was reviewed. The findings revealed that the present administration established the FHF in 2017, and the sum of N1.5 trillion was invested into it, with the mandate to build 500,000 housing units yearly and create 1.5 million jobs, among others. The target audience could not afford to pay for the houses due to their high price. Despite heavy investment of funds, the programme failed due to poor management and corruption. The study recommended that the federal government partner with the private sector to provide mass affordable housing units. Only people with proven integrity and experience in social housing delivery should be appointed to head home ownership schemes in the future.