By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta 

Real estate experts have called for collaboration between the various levels of governments in the country and private developers to work together in order to bridge housing deficit in Nigerians.

They said, there is need for the government and private developers to work together for the country to bridge the growing housing deficit, being faced by millions of her citizens.

It is estimated that the housing deficit in Nigeria as at 2024 is 28 million units, with about 700,000 homes needed annually to bridge the gap.

Some of the experts, who spoke with newsmen during a medical outreach in honor of the 75th birthday of foremost real estate guru, Chief Jide Taiwo, in Ota, Ogun State, expressed concern over the housing deficit.

The medical outreach featured a range of healthcare services, including eye tests, medical check-ups, sugar tests, consultation, health talk, blood pressure screenings, free medications and distribution of glasses and over 500 residents benefited.

The programme organised by the former staff of Jide Taiwo and Co also featured a well-attended birthday party for the septuagenarian in Lagos, which was attended by dignitaries, including Senator Gbenga Daniel and Prophetess Esther Ajayi.

Speaking with newsmen, Surveyor Yemi Olugbenle lamented that Nigeria is still far below the housing needs, urging the governments at various levels in the country to work together with the private sector to bridge the gap.

“In Nigeria, we are still far below the housing needs. It is very important that the private sector and the government work hard on delivering housing to Nigerians at a reasonable cost”, he said.

While saying that there is an urgent need for policies that encourage public-private partnerships in the housing sector, he emphasized that such collaborations could significantly reduce the housing gap by leveraging private sector efficiency, innovation, and investment capacity while ensuring government support through regulatory frameworks, land allocation, and incentives.

He noted that if Nigerians have access to funds and other incentives, it will help to address the housing gap in the country.

“Government must provide measures that will enhance easy accessibility to funds and even to properties itself, this will help to bridge the gap in housing deficit in the country”, he said 

On his part, Toyin Aluko, said there was no better way to celebrate the birthday of Chief Taiwo, who he described as a ‘humanist per excellence’, than to go out and make a difference in the lives of the people in his own town.

He added  that the gesture was to give back to the people in the community in celebration  of one of their sons birthday who is Chief Jide Taiwo.

Meanwhile, a daughter of the celebrant, Mrs Jumoke Anifalaje submitted that his father finds joy in impacting positively in people’s lives, adding that the program organized in his honour will help in improving the quality healthcare of the residents of the community.

Speaking with newsmen at the sideline, the Chief Jide Taiwo expressed hope of better Nigeria, while applauding the honour done to him by his former staff.

Taiwo said governments at all levels must put in place factors that will ensure easy accessibility to properties in Nigeria.

“Government must provide factors that will enhance easy accessibility to funds and even to properties itself, this will help to bridge the gap in housing deficit in the country”, he said.