By Kingsley Adegboye

The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), organisers of Africa’s largest housing and construction exhibition, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead a transformative housing reform agenda that can reshape Nigeria’s economy, generate millions of jobs, reduce poverty, and provide decent shelter for low-income earners and informal sector workers.

The organisation emphasised that affordable housing must be elevated to a national economic priority rather than treated merely as a social welfare programme.

This call was made as AIHS prepares to host its landmark 20th Anniversary (Legacy Edition) from July 13 to 18, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, under the theme “Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa.”

Festus Adebayo, Chief Executive Officer of AIHS, said housing should be recognised as one of Nigeria’s most strategic economic sectors with the potential to drive inclusive growth, industrialisation, investment, and national prosperity.

“Housing is far more than the construction of buildings. It is an engine of economic growth. It creates jobs, stimulates manufacturing, supports financial services, promotes urban development, improves public health, strengthens family stability, and contributes significantly to national productivity,” Adebayo stated.

He added that Nigeria has one of the largest housing deficits in the world, yet this challenge also presents one of the country’s greatest economic opportunities. If properly harnessed, housing can become a major driver of economic transformation and social inclusion.

AIHS called on the Federal Government to implement a comprehensive housing reform agenda anchored on several key priorities. These include declaring housing a national economic priority with clear targets and measurable outcomes for economic diversification, employment generation, wealth creation, and industrial development.

The organisation recommended the establishment of a high-level Presidential Affordable Housing Delivery Council comprising relevant ministries, state governments, development finance institutions, the private sector, professional bodies, cooperatives, and representatives of informal workers to coordinate nationwide reforms.

It also urged the Federal Government to work with state governments to modernise land administration by digitising land registries, simplifying title registration processes, reducing consent fees, shortening approval timelines, and making serviced land available for affordable housing projects.

On financing, AIHS called for significant expansion of access to long-term housing finance through mortgage institutions, cooperative housing schemes, rent-to-own programmes, micro-mortgages, and innovative models designed specifically for low-income earners and informal sector workers.

The group commended the Federal Government’s housing initiatives and recommended that future housing estates reserve a substantial percentage of units for civil servants, artisans, market traders, transport workers, young professionals, and other low-income households through transparent affordability mechanisms.

It further advocated for the promotion of local building materials and modern construction technologies by encouraging local production, supporting innovation, reducing dependence on imported inputs, and providing incentives for manufacturers producing affordable housing solutions.

AIHS stressed the need to strengthen public-private partnerships by creating an enabling environment that attracts greater private investment from developers, mortgage institutions, pension funds, insurance companies, and institutional investors.

The organisation also called for the development of a comprehensive National Housing Observatory to provide accurate data on housing demand, supply, affordability, informal settlements, land availability, and construction trends.

Recognising that millions of Nigerians earn their livelihoods in the informal sector, AIHS urged the government to develop dedicated housing policies and financing products that respond to the realities of artisans, traders, farmers, transport operators, and other informal workers.

It emphasised that investment in housing should be recognised as an investment in national security, public health, education, productivity, climate resilience, and social stability.

Adebayo disclosed that these and many other policy issues will form part of extensive deliberations during the six-day 20th Anniversary event, which will bring together Ministers, Governors, lawmakers, development finance institutions, investors, developers, academics, housing professionals, manufacturers, diplomats, and international organisations from across Africa and beyond.

“Our objective is not merely to discuss housing challenges but to develop practical, implementable solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he said.

“We believe Nigeria can become the housing investment hub of Africa if the right policies are implemented consistently. The housing sector possesses enormous potential to create jobs for young people, empower small businesses, stimulate manufacturing, deepen financial inclusion, attract foreign investment, and accelerate national economic growth.”

AIHS further called on state governments, members of the National Assembly, financial institutions, development partners, professional bodies, the organised private sector, manufacturers, researchers, civil society organisations, and international agencies to work collaboratively in addressing Africa’s housing deficit.

“No single institution can solve the housing challenge alone,” Adebayo noted. “It requires visionary leadership, sound public policy, innovative financing, efficient land administration, strong institutions, and effective public-private partnerships.”

He concluded with a direct appeal to the President: “We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seize this historic opportunity to implement bold housing reforms that will expand homeownership, create sustainable jobs, strengthen industries, and improve the quality of life of millions of Nigerians.

“The future of Nigeria’s economy is closely linked to the future of its housing sector. A nation that invests in affordable housing invests in prosperity, dignity, stability, and lasting national development.”