Nigeria Calls for Mortgage and Land Reforms to Address Housing Shortfall

At the 15th National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development (NCLHUD) meeting in Sokoto, the Federal Government and state governments urged reforms to improve affordable housing access for Nigerians. The meeting, held from October 12 to October 16, 2026, focused on strengthening mortgage, land, and institutional systems for accelerated housing delivery.

Sokoto State Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Country Planning, Mr Nasiru Aliyu Dantsoho, advocated reducing mortgage interest rates from double-digit to single-digit levels and extending repayment periods from 25 to 35 years. He noted Nigeria’s housing deficit exceeds 14.5 million units, with 50.6 million people living in unsafe housing conditions.