FEC: UNILAG Don Advocates In-Situ Upgrading, Sustainable Communities to Tackle Nigeria’s Housing Crisis

Professor Timothy Nubi, a distinguished scholar in Estate Management and Valuation at the University of Lagos, has called for a transformative approach to Nigeria's housing crisis. In his presentation at the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre (FEC), Yaba College of Technology, Nubi argued that the current emphasis on merely constructing housing units must evolve into the creation and enhancement of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.

Nubi believes that the success of housing policy should be measured by the quality of life within communities, not just the number of houses built. He emphasized that sustainable estate development should encompass land, buildings, infrastructure, institutions, and human communities, working together to create long-term social, economic, and environmental value.

The professor highlighted that Nigeria's housing challenge extends beyond a mere shortage of units. It involves issues of quality, affordability, infrastructure, environmental risks, and institutional capacity. To tackle this, Nubi advocated for urban regeneration and in-situ upgrading as a core part of Nigeria's housing strategy, particularly for underserved settlements.

He proposed development-led urban management as a means to integrate various aspects of community development, including land-use planning, infrastructure improvement, environmental management, housing rehabilitation, and community participation.

In-situ upgrading, rather than relocation, should be the preferred approach wherever possible. This would involve improvements such as better roads and drainage, access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, waste management, public spaces, and social facilities, alongside housing rehabilitation. Nubi stressed the importance of phased implementation to allow residents to remain in their communities whenever feasible.

He cautioned against potential negative consequences of urban regeneration, such as land speculation, rent escalation, and forced displacement. To mitigate these risks, Nubi recommended measures like tenure regularization, affordability safeguards, community land arrangements, transparent valuation, and inclusive financing.

Nubi challenged the notion that sustainability is merely an additional cost in real estate development, arguing that its benefits should be assessed against lifecycle costs. He explained that investments in responsible infrastructure and sustainable systems can lead to reduced energy and water consumption, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced asset values.

He called for coordinated efforts among various stakeholders, including government agencies, developers, financial institutions, professional bodies, communities, technology providers, and educational institutions. The government needs to provide effective spatial planning, infrastructure coordination, environmental regulation, building standards, and financial frameworks. Meanwhile, the private sector should contribute investment, innovation, and infrastructure provision.

Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, the Rector of YABATECH, highlighted the significance of the FEC in advancing entrepreneurial activities and providing practical solutions to Nigeria's environmental and developmental challenges. He emphasized that contemporary real estate development must go beyond physical structures to address quality of life, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.

The lecture series at the FEC aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, and 11, focusing on clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and sustainable cities and communities.