By Favour Ulebor

The Chief Executive Officer of Drekford Global Concept, Mr. Daniel Oparinde, has said Nigeria’s housing deficit cannot be addressed if real estate development continues to focus on only one segment of society.

Oparinde stated this during the handover of two residential projects in Abuja, where the company delivered both luxury and middle income housing developments to subscribers.

The projects include The Tangerine Villa, a luxury estate of four bedroom semi detached duplexes located in Katampe, and a block of two bedroom apartments situated in Gaduwa for middle income earners.

The dual delivery marks the company’s 11th and 12th completed housing projects in the Federal Capital Territory, at a time when Abuja continues to experience rising rent prices and pressure on available housing stock.

According to the developer, the approach reflects the need for a balanced housing strategy that serves both high income investors and working class residents in the capital city.

 Oparinde said, “We can not talk about reducing the national housing deficit if we only build for one segment of society.

“Abuja is a multi-tiered city. While the luxury units in Katampe satisfy the demand for high-end real estate investment in Nigeria, the Gaduwa project is specifically designed to provide functional, accessible shelter for middle-income earners who form the backbone of the city’s workforce.”

Oparinde further noted that the off plan housing segment remains under pressure due to inflation, rising construction costs, and past cases of failed developments across the country.

He added that timely delivery of projects is critical to restoring public trust in the housing market.

He said, “Fulfilling our obligations to off-plan subscribers is not just a business transaction; it is a trust pact.

“In an economy where construction costs fluctuate daily, delivering our 12th project on schedule is our way of proving that the promises made on architectural blueprints can still be realized regardless.”

For many beneficiaries, the handover represents relief from the pressure of rising rents and uncertainty in the rental market.

A civil servant and beneficiary of the Gaduwa apartments, Mr. Chidi Anayo, described the development as a turning point after years of renting in Abuja.

Anayo said, “Every year, you live in fear of the landlord’s next demand notice.

“In Abuja, rent inflation can easily swallow half of your income. When I paid for this off-plan property, my friends told me I was taking a massive risk because we all know people who paid and never saw their houses. Standing inside my own living room today, knowing my family finally has a permanent roof over their heads, is a burden lifted off my chest. This is how we actually fix the housing crisis, by making affordable homes in Abuja realistic for people like me.”

Also speaking, investor Hajiya Amina Bello, who acquired one of the luxury units in Katampe, said confidence and delivery remain key concerns in Nigeria’s real estate sector.

She said, “As an investor, you want to know that your funds are secure and that the developer will actually deliver the premium finish promised on paper. Seeing this project completed to standard is a win for private sector credibility.

“It proves that despite the volatile economy, investing in Abuja real estate can still deliver true value.”

With Abuja continuing to expand due to population growth and economic migration, housing demand is expected to rise further, increasing the role of private developers in closing the deficit.