As the world marks World Habitat Day 2026, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, has declared that adequate housing for all Nigerians remains a distant dream for millions, warning that the crisis now poses a major threat to public health, productivity and national security.
Speaking on Monday to commemorate the Day under the global theme “Adequate Housing For All,” the National President of the Institute, Tpl. Dr. Chime Ogbonna, FNITP, said housing is more than shelter, describing it as the foundation of human dignity, family stability and economic prosperity.
Dr. Ogbonna lamented that rising land prices, soaring costs of building materials, rapid urbanisation, inflation and limited access to affordable housing finance have continued to push home ownership beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
”Across our cities and communities, many people are forced to live in overcrowded conditions, informal settlements, and slums. This reality is not only a housing problem; it is a development challenge that affects public health, social inclusion, and national productivity,” he said.
The NITP President called on federal, state and local governments, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners to take bold and decisive action to bridge the housing gap, which is currently estimated at over 28 million units.
He listed key reforms needed to unlock the sector to include:
- Comprehensive review of existing housing policies
- Urgent reform of the Land Use Act to ease access to land
- Reduction in the cost of building materials and promotion of affordable locally produced materials
- Strengthening of mortgage financing for low-income earners
- Conduct of a timely national population census to provide accurate data for effective housing planning
- Provision of incentives to encourage greater private sector investment in affordable housing
Dr. Ogbonna stressed that the true measure of a nation’s progress should not be judged by the number of luxury estates it builds, but by the number of citizens who can afford a safe and decent place to call home.
He urged all stakeholders to renew commitment to inclusive housing delivery.
”Together, we can bridge the housing deficit, build inclusive communities, and create a future where every Nigerian lives with dignity, security, and hope. The time for action is now,” he added.
World Habitat Day is observed globally on the first Monday of October every year to reflect on the state of towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
