Reporting by The Guardian indicates that the Federal Government has officially released updated data on the country’s housing crisis, placing the national deficit at 14.9 million units. This figure, released by the National Housing Data Technical Committee, aims to provide a credible baseline for future planning and investment in the real estate sector. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, noted that the lack of accurate data had previously hindered the government’s ability to tackle the shortage effectively.
The report underscores the growing pressure on both the public and private sectors to deliver affordable housing, particularly in urban centers where migration remains high. Unlike previous years where the “17 million” figure was frequently cited without empirical evidence, this new data is expected to guide the allocation of resources under the National Housing Program.
Vanguard corroborated the report, quoting the committee chairman, Dr. Taofeek Olatinwo, who said, “The country’s housing deficit stood at 14.925 million as of late 2025.” ThisDay also covered the launch, noting that “investors are now looking at the data to identify high-demand regions for affordable housing projects.”
Echotitbits take: A lower-than-expected deficit figure might sound like good news, but 15 million is still a staggering number. The focus will now shift to whether the government can provide the necessary land titles and infrastructure to make private-sector participation viable.
Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/news/fg-puts-nigerias-housing-deficit-at-14-9-million/ January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: The Guardian
