Affordable housing as a catalyst for economic growth, social stability in Kogi State
Onimisi Nasirudeen
Housing transcends the basic idea of shelter; it is the bedrock of personal dignity, public health, family life, productivity, and societal peace. In Kogi State, the urgency for affordable and accessible housing has intensified due to the twin pressures of population growth and rural-to-urban migration. The rising cost of building materials and urban congestion further compound this challenge, leaving a widening gap between housing demand and supply.
The consequences of this gap are starkly visible in urban centres such as Lokoja, Okene, and Dekina, where informal settlements are expanding rapidly. Many public servants remain tenants long into their careers, and young professionals find themselves priced out of the real estate market altogether. Without structured intervention, this crisis risks spiralling into widespread slum development, increased insecurity, deteriorating health conditions, and deeper social inequalities.
Yet within this challenge lies a powerful opportunity. Investing in affordable housing can serve as a strategic driver of inclusive economic growth. The housing sector is inherently labor-intensive, offering immediate employment opportunities for architects, engineers, artisans, and suppliers. As housing development scales up, it creates ripple effects across the economy, stimulating small and medium enterprises involved in the production of building materials such as bricks, cement, furniture, and fittings. Beyond direct economic gains, housing development boosts internally generated revenue through property taxation and land use charges, all while promoting social stability and reducing crime by fostering secure and dignified living conditions.
To harness these benefits, Kogi State needs a practical, localized framework for affordable housing delivery. The process must begin with comprehensive land reforms. The identification, acquisition, and allocation of land across the three senatorial districts for planned housing developments is crucial. By digitizing land records and simplifying the certificate of occupancy process, the state can build investor confidence and ease land accessibility for developers.
Strategic public-private partnerships must be a cornerstone of this effort. Government can offer land, infrastructure incentives, and enabling policies, while private developers bring in designs, financing, and execution capacity. Housing cooperatives should also be encouraged to participate, particularly in servicing the lower-income demographic.
Design strategies must prioritize affordability without compromising quality or sustainability. Modular construction and the use of locally sourced materials such as stabilized earth blocks, bamboo, and compressed bricks can significantly reduce costs while maintaining resilience to local climate conditions. These approaches not only lower expenses but also stimulate the local supply chain and minimize environmental impact.
Access to financing remains a critical factor. The state should work with primary mortgage banks and microfinance institutions to offer civil servants, artisans, and traders flexible repayment options through mortgages and rent-to-own schemes. Monthly payment plans spread across 10 to 15 years can make homeownership achievable for many currently shut out of the market.
It is also essential to design housing that meets the specific needs of various demographic groups. Estates should be developed with clear considerations for youth corps members, newlyweds, civil servants, retirees, and low-income urban migrants. Tailoring housing solutions to these groups ensures equity, dignity, and better integration within communities.
To coordinate these efforts and maintain quality standards, the establishment of the Kogi State Affordable Housing Development Agency is recommended. This body would serve as a central driver of all housing initiatives, ensuring proper planning, implementation, and regulation. As part of its mandate, it can oversee pilot housing projects in each senatorial district, comprising 250 to 500 affordable units per location. These pilots would serve as testbeds for refining policy, identifying implementation challenges, and gathering feedback for scale-up.
Moreover, the state should encourage innovation in local building technologies by funding research in universities and polytechnics. Developing homegrown solutions tailored to Kogi’s environment and economy will promote long-term sustainability and resilience.
Affordable housing is more than a policy goal—it is a foundation for inclusive prosperity. It strengthens families, lifts people out of poverty, and catalyzes broad-based economic development. The current administration in Kogi has a unique opportunity to turn this vision into reality. By making affordable housing a policy priority, the state can usher in an era of structural dignity, economic vibrancy, and lasting social stability.
As professionals in the built environment, we remain committed to supporting this vision with world-class designs, execution strategies, and innovative models that reflect global best practices and local realities.
May God bless Kogi State!
Onimisi Nasirudeen, is an architect & project manager
