By Sani Ibrahim Paki
As Nigeria marks 64 years since it got political independence from British colonial masters, youths in the country have lamented that access to affordable housing is still dream to them.
Nigeria commemorates its independence anniversary every first October to mark the day it got the independence in 1960.
However, more than six decades after the independence, people in the country continue to grapple with a series of challenges, including access to decent and affordable housing.
This, according to them is obtained in spite of the abundant wealth the country is blessed with, especially when compared with other countries who got independence the same year.
A cross section of some Nigerian youths who spoke to Housing TV Africa lamented that with the current economic realities in the country, coupled with some unfavorable government policies, it is almost impossible for an early career youth to own a house in the country.
Florence George, a 29 year old early career civil servant in the county’s capital, Abuja, said, her annual salary could barely settle her annual house rent.
She said, “I have to look for a colleague whom we contribute money to rent a single room apartment that we share together since I cannot afford it alone.”
She also said many others squat with their relatives or stay in faraway neighbourhoods.
“Before, Nigerian youths used to talk of mortgage and even owning houses. Now, they are talking about how they could afford to pay rent, which is still also not easy for them 64 years after our independence,” George complained.
Sama’ila Hassan is another youth in his mid 20s in Kano. Though he has graduated some three years back, he said securing a job is becoming a challenge for him, talk less of owning a home he can call his own.
He lamented that most of the good housing policies the federal government is initiating are not youth friendly.
Hassan said, “Like the present administration now has good initiatives of Renewed Hope Cities and Renewed Hope Estates across the 36 states and FCT, but when I checked their requirements, I just know that it is not for us as youths.
“If government wants to help us, the first thing they will make is to make our economy flourishing, such that we can have incomes that we can afford these things. Else, they are not for us,” he added.
He explained that as many Nigerians are battling inflation and unstable economy, many households now focus on basic necessities and have since abandoned owning houses until the situation improves.
Similarly, Kayode Ogundipe, another youth based in Abuja, said with the current economic reality and the way inflation keeps increasing almost on daily basis while his income remains relatively the same, all his hopes of having affordable housing are dashed.
“Except things later change, I have given up on owning a house especially where I work here in Abuja,” he said.
As the future of every society is said to be tied to its youths, millions of young men and women in Nigeria continue to hope for getting their own houses one day in order to have a more prosperous life.