By Esther Ososanya
The federal government has reaffirmed its resolve to tackle Nigeria’s escalating housing deficit through a bold shift towards sustainable urban development, environmental accountability, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The latest commitment was echoed at the Future Conference 2025, which was held in Abuja with the theme, “Sustainable Cities, The Future of Housing.”
The high-level conference brought together lawmakers, environmental regulators, civil society leaders, housing developers, and international experts to discuss innovative solutions to Africa’s housing challenges especially in the context of rapid urbanisation, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the National Assembly, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Doosughun Tokur, stated that the housing crisis in Nigeria must be addressed not just as a matter of infrastructure, but as a fundamental issue of public health and national development.
“Housing is not just infrastructure; it is a matter of public health, climate resilience, and national security,” she said.
She noted that unsafe settlements, overcrowded cities, and poorly regulated urban growth have created conditions for flooding, insecurity, and disease outbreaks, emphasizing the urgent need for housing policies that are inclusive, affordable, and ecologically sound.
Representing the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Mr. Alenyi Onu added that any vision of urban development that excludes nature is not only shortsighted but dangerous.
“A city planned without trees is a time bomb,” Onu warned. “Urban forests are essential to regulating city temperatures, controlling floods, and reducing pollution. Without green corridors and tree coverage, we are designing cities that will become uninhabitable.”
The convener of the conference and founder of Eco Smart Climate Action Initiative, Sonia Somuvie, called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s urban planning policies. She lamented the current trend of unplanned, unchecked, and profit driven development, which she said has not only deepened the housing crisis but is eroding biodiversity, cultural identity, and environmental stability.
Somuvie said “We need to embrace urban planning that preserves biodiversity while ensuring affordable, resilient housing,”
She also unveiled a new initiative titled Project Airvestment, a grassroots campaign to plant 10,000 trees across Nigerian cities as part of a community led response to the climate and housing emergency.
The conference served as a call to action for policymakers to adopt green building codes, enforce climate smart regulations, and promote public private partnerships that prioritize environmental sustainability in housing projects.
Experts at the event stressed that Nigeria’s housing reforms must be guided by global best practices, backed by law, and driven by urgency, especially under the frameworks of the Nigerian Climate Change Act, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Vision 2050 national development blueprint.
As Nigeria prepares to meet its international environmental obligations and rising population demands, participants agreed that sustainable housing must now take center stage not only as a developmental necessity but as a national emergency that requires immediate and coordinated action.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
