In a bid to address the country’s severe housing challenges, the Nigerian government has proposed using bamboo as a sustainable building material for affordable housing. However, industry experts are sounding a note of caution, citing concerns about the feasibility and scalability of the policy.

Jennifer Odii, founder of the Real Estate Stakeholders Support Initiative and chief executive of Odinga J Global, a prominent real estate firm in Nigeria, expressed concern about the initiative’s potential impact. “While we appreciate and welcome the government’s efforts to address the housing deficit, we need to see more details about the policy and how it will be executed before we can fully support it,” she said in a statement.

Ms. Odii’s reservations are rooted in the country’s dire housing situation, which has been exacerbated by rapid urbanization and economic instability. “Urban populations are booming exponentially, but our cities are woefully unstable, overburdened and unprepared to handle the influx,” she said. “The result is a proliferation of slum housing conditions, environmental degradation, and a general decline in the quality of life for many Nigerians.”

The housing sector’s woes are further compounded by the country’s economic challenges, including persistent hyperinflation, import dependency, and a precipitous devaluation of the naira. “The cost of building materials has skyrocketed, making it impossible for many Nigerians to afford decent housing,” Ms. Odii said. “Rent is unaffordable, and homeownership is becoming a distant dream for many.”

On the government’s solution to these challenges, while expressing sceptism about the government’s bamboo housing initiative, Odii acknowledged that the plan is a step in the right direction. “Bamboo is a remarkable resource, with properties that make it an attractive alternative to traditional building materials,” she said. “Its rapid growth rate, carbon-absorbing capabilities, and tensile strength, which rivals that of steel, make it a promising material for lightweight construction.”

Ms. Odii pointed to the success of countries like India and Vietnam, which have experimented with bamboo housing, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate-related disasters. “These countries have shown that bamboo can be a viable option for sustainable and resilient housing,” she said.

However, Ms. Odii stressed that the government’s enthusiasm for bamboo housing must be matched with a comprehensive approach to ensure the policy’s success. “To turn this vision into a reality, we need massive investment in the entire value chain, from plantations to processing plants and logistics,” she said. “We also need to establish national standards, building codes, and inspection systems specific to bamboo construction to guarantee safety and build trust among potential users.”

“We cannot afford to rush into this without proper planning and execution,” Odii said. “We need to consider the long-term implications of this policy and ensure that it benefits the people it is intended to help.”

Ms. Odii noted that one of the biggest challenges on this path will be building capacity and training professionals in bamboo construction. “We need to educate architects, engineers, and builders on the unique properties and requirements of bamboo,” she said. “We also need to invest in research and development to improve the durability and sustainability of bamboo housing.”

Furthermore, Ms. Odii highlighted the importance of addressing potential regulatory and policy hurdles. “We need to work with policymakers to develop incentives and regulations that support the use of bamboo in construction,” she said. “We also need to ensure that bamboo housing is integrated into national development plans and strategies.”

To increase adoption and affordability, Ms. Odii stressed the need for pilot projects, local industrial investment, and community sensitization. “We need to build model bamboo smart homes across different ecological zones and let Nigerians see, live in, and evaluate them,” she said. “Public-private partnerships, especially with research institutions and local builders, should be part of this pilot.”

The federal government’s announcement has sparked a lively debate in the real estate industry, with some experts seeing bamboo housing as a promising solution to Nigeria’s housing challenges, while others have raised concerns about its feasibility and scalability. As the industry continues to weigh the pros and cons, Ms. Odii’s insights offer a nuanced perspective on the complexities and opportunities involved in implementing bamboo housing in Nigeria.