In a renewed move to confront Nigeria’s growing housing shortfall, the Federal Government is joining forces with the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) to champion the use of indigenous building materials and expand access to affordable housing nationwide.

This development comes ahead of the 19th edition of the AIHS, set to take place in Abuja from July 27 to August 1, 2025. Themed "Reimagining Housing Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Policy," the event seeks to rally policymakers, investors, and developers toward reforming land administration, housing finance, and local content practices in the construction sector.

Festus Adebayo, AIHS Coordinator and founder of Housing TV Africa, described the collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development as a pivotal moment for the industry. According to him, the elevation of housing to a standalone ministry has opened new doors for policy engagement and strategic implementation.

He noted, “With the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, as Chief Host, we are committed to expanding land access, increasing the local production of building materials, and advancing realistic strategies to deliver affordable homes to Nigerians.”

The 2025 housing show is expected to host participants from over 21 countries, with more than 400 exhibitors and thousands of attendees drawn from across the real estate, financial, and public sectors, including international development partners.

A major highlight of this year’s edition will be sessions focused on reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported construction inputs. In light of rising material costs and forex constraints, stakeholders are advocating for a policy shift that incentivizes local manufacturing as the key to sustainable, large-scale housing delivery.

“Cement, tiles, doors, and other essential items are priced beyond the reach of many Nigerians. Our focus is to explore affordable, locally sourced alternatives that can also stimulate job creation,” Adebayo explained.

In addition, the forum will provide a platform for addressing persistent land access challenges. Deliberations between governors, housing commissioners, and planning authorities are expected to tackle bottlenecks in land titling—an issue seen as central to unlocking mass housing development.

Other standout features of the event include special sessions on mortgage accessibility, green financing, youth innovation in PropTech, and a high-level dialogue for Under-40 CEOs in real estate. The program will also host a Women in Housing and Construction Forum, celebrating the rising influence of women professionals in the sector.

Corporate sponsors and backers of the 2025 show include Dangote Cement, Lafarge, Brains & Hammers, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Family Homes Funds, IFC (World Bank Group), Urban Shelter, and CDK Integrated Industries. Delegations are expected from Dubai, China, the UK, and Italy.

Professional partners include leading industry bodies such as the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP).

As AIHS 2025 draws closer, organisers are optimistic that this year’s edition will serve as both a springboard for innovation and a driver for concrete policy implementation—bringing Nigeria closer to a future where affordable housing is no longer a distant dream, but a lived reality.