Enugu Corporation Shares New Plan to Solve Housing Problems

The Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) has introduced a new way to provide affordable housing. This approach focuses on what people really need, their preferences, and their financial situations.

At the 20th anniversary of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) 2026 in Abuja, Mrs. Adenike Okebu, Acting General Manager of ESHDC, shared the Corporation’s housing model. She believes this strategy can help solve Nigeria’s housing problems through sustainable and people-focused development.

The six-day event took place at the Transcorp Hilton and included participants from over 30 countries. These included government officials, investors, developers, housing finance institutions, and construction experts. They came together to discuss new policies, funding methods, and partnerships to improve access to affordable housing across Africa.

During a panel session on affordable housing, Mrs. Okebu, who also works as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Revenue, pointed out that poor location planning is a big reason many low-income housing projects in Nigeria do not succeed. She noted that many government-built estates are far from jobs, schools, hospitals, and other essential services. This makes them less appealing to the people who need them most.

“Affordable housing is not just about building houses. It is about providing homes where people actually want to live, with access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and the basic infrastructure that supports everyday life,” she said.

She emphasized that affordable housing should not only be about how much it costs to build. It should also consider how easy it is to access, its convenience, and livability. She added that housing projects must match the hopes and lifestyles of the people who will live in them.

Mrs. Okebu explained that ESHDC is tackling these issues by using a demand-driven model. This model offers affordable land in good locations, allowing people to build homes when they can and how they want. She said this method reduces the chance of creating housing estates that remain empty because they do not meet the needs of future homeowners.

She also highlighted “Tomorrow Is Here,” ESHDC’s main housing project in Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. She described it as a model for modern and well-planned communities. The estate has important infrastructure like roads, drainage, electricity, water supply, and other facilities that make it a good place to live.

Talking about the roles of government and private investors, Mrs. Okebu stressed that the government alone cannot solve Nigeria’s housing crisis. She called for better cooperation between public and private sectors.

“Government cannot solve the housing deficit alone. We must build strategic partnerships with the private sector that deliver reasonable returns for investors while making home ownership more accessible and affordable for ordinary Nigerians,” she stated.

Her talk sparked lively discussions among housing experts, developers, and policymakers at the conference. This reinforced ESHDC’s commitment to finding innovative and inclusive housing solutions.

Now in its 20th year, the Africa International Housing Show has become Africa’s leading platform for housing and construction. It serves as a space for policy discussions, investment opportunities, technology sharing, and teamwork aimed at increasing access to decent and affordable housing across the continent.