EVALUATION OF HOUSING PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF IBADAN CITY, OYO STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1.      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Housing is the permanently shelter for human habitation. Because shelter is necessary to everyone, the problem of providing adequate housing has long been a concern, no only of individuals, but to government as well. Thus, the history of  housing is inseperable from the social, economic and political development of mankind

All over the world, it is a widely acknowledge fact that shelter is one of the most basic human needs suffice it to say that inspite of its importance, it is one of the problem that has been given the least attention in both urban and rural areas of the country.

The genesis of housing problems in Nigeria dated back to colonial government failed to evolve and articulate housing programme beyond the Government Reserved Areas (GRA).

The colonial era has been a period of self centeredness on the part of the colonial masters as far as social housing in Nigeria was concerned. Studies have shown that the colonial masters builts empires for themselves in the so- called Europeans quaters and Government Reserved Areas (GRA). This was necesssitated partly by the colonial masters quest for quiet residentials areas  and partly for thier desire for class and executive life. The colonial masters never considered it neccessary to provide decent housing for thier black counterparts, but were forced to do so when there was a threat to thier lives following to outbreak of an epidemis. A case in mind was that of Lagos Executives Development Board, which was established in 1928 as a result of the destructive effect of the bubonic plaque,and was aimed at the clearing the slums in Lagos, being the area suspected to be epidemic by promoters. An attemptss was further made by colonial master to provide housing for the civil servants under  a plan tagged “African Staff Housing Scheme” that was tagged to be facilitated by Nigeria building society.

In post-colonial Era, sequel to Nigerian Independence in 1960, emphasis was placed on five-yearly development plan as a vehincle for economic growth, The first and second national Development plan covering the period 1960-1970 did not give housing any significant place until 1972 when during the extended second National Development  Plan, housing scheme under which government was to build 54000 housing unit by the end of 1979. Under third National Development Plan, whixh covered the period of 1975 -1980 government took a giant stride to address the National housing deficit of the country by engaging in social housing provision.

During the period a rent panel was set up to review the level in the country.  This  marked the first attempt by government to recognize the housing problem of the less previledge people of Nigeria who has lost all sense of dignity as well as economicworth as citizen of an oil rich country. The forth  National Development plan, which covered the period 1980-1985 contained the most significant policy that addressed that nations housing problem and an overiding objectives of improving the overall quqntity and quality of housing for all income, groups both in rural and urban especially.

 

1.2       STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.

The pooled effect of high population upsurge and urbanization in a declining economy has thrown Nigeria into serious housing problems, Ironically, the low-income groups who constitute the majority in  the society are the most affected by the finance menance.

The problems of housing shortage grow worse by the day in many devoloping nations including Nigeria. Conceivably, a major trait of housing crisis notable in urban centres in most developing nations is that of inadequate supply relative to demand (Olotuah, 2000).

The shortage, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, is more acute in urban centres. Omijinmi (2000) observed that people that sleep in  indecent in urban Nigeria are more than people who sleep in decent houses; Thus, it is ascertive that there is inadequacy in population in Nigeria. (Arayela 2003)

The causes of this dearth in housing are numerous, High construction cost is found to be present in all countries, albeit in varrying degree of significance ( Adedeji  2007).

        Afolayan  (1987) attributes the high cost of construction rate  in  economy, high space and  quality  standard adopted by designer and construction

 

1.3.  AIM AND OBJECTIVES.

        The aim of this study is to assess and evaluate housing problems in Nigeria with special reference Ibadan city, Oyo State.

        The specific objectives for this study are:

1.     To set out strategy for minimizing housing problems in Nigeria.

2.     To identify ways of improving housing by developing and sustaining the political will of government for provision of housing for Ibadan people.

3.     To ascertain the extents in which strenthening  all existing public institution s involve in housing delivery at the state level will affect the housing delivery

4.     To set out strategy of encouraging and promoting active participation of other tiers of government in housing delivery.

 

 

1.4.  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.

The study findings will be of  benefit to the estate surveyor and valuer and property owners; as will reveal the important strategies necessary for overcoming the challanges before them.The industry stakeholders such as the client, Architect,Estate Surveyor and Valuer, Builder and government will better understand the constraints and also assist in mapping out strategies that will aid thier development.

        The government and stakeholders will be better informed through study recommendation of policy which will assist the property managers and owner in boosting thier ability  and capacity to quality housing delivery proccess.

        Moreover, the project research  can as well be a guide for the incoming student who want to research on housing or any matter relating to housing.

 

1.5.  SCOPE OF STUDY.

        The scope of this study is based on evaluating of urban housing problems in Ibadan of Oyo state. But inview of the wide nature of the research topic, the study will focus mainly on Ibadan metropolis.

 

 

 

1.6.  LIMITATION OF STUDY.

        In the course of this research work, some factors hindered the free flow of work such as inadequate finance, level of illetracy from the public, non release of vital document or information in the respective local government and limited time available for this research work and cost of preparation.

 

1.7.  STUDY AREA.

        Oyo State cover approximately an area of 28,458 kilometers and is ranked 14th by size, it is bounded in the south by Ogun state in the north by kwara state, in the west it is partly bounded by Ogun state and partly by the republic of  Benin, while in the East by Osun State.

        Oyo State contain a number of natural features including the old national pack. The climate is equitorial notably with dry and wet season with relatively high humidity. The dry season last from November to march while the wet starts from April and ends in October Average daily temperature ranges between 25c(77.00 F)  and  35 c (95.00 F) almost through the year.

        Oyo State is located in the south west region of  Nigeria, latitude 8 degree and longitude 4 degree East bisect state into four nearly equal parts. The people of oyo state are Yoruba with  common ancestor in oduduwa within the state however, there are sub-ethnic group with distinct dialet peculiarities. The people of Oyo state may be divided into five broad groups, viz Ibadan, Ibarapas, Oyo Oke Ogun and Ogbomosos.

 

1.8.  DEFINITION OF TERMS.

1.     HOUSING: Housing is a permanent shelter for human habitation, or house and other building where people lives. OR Housing can means a dwelling that enders a bundle of services which ranges from the units to bases from which economic activities can be pursued.

2.     URBANIZATION: Can be defined as the outcome of socia, economic and political development that leads to urban concentration and growth of large cities, changes in land use and transformation from rural to metropolitan pattern of  organization and governance.

3.     URBAN AREA: Is an area where sociol-economic activities take place and also identified with such use like residential, ccommercial, individual, recreational centre and many others.

4.     SHELTER: Is a structure that protects the occupants from environmental factors and dangers. Shelter is universally acknowledged as one of the most basic human needs, with a profound impact on the lifestyles, hapiness as well as productivity of indidual.

5.     PUBLIC HOUSING: Is the housing embacked upon by the government or government organization relating to housing e.g Federal Housing Authority(FHA) and state Housing coporations. The aim of public involvement in the housing is to make houses available to the masses at affordable cost. The objective is contrary to that of private developers whose aim is to profit maximization.

6.     PRIVATE HOUSING: Can be defined as when private organization or an individual embacked  on housing programmes with the aim of making profit for investing in such venture.