ActionAid Urges FG To Prioritise Affordable Housing, Social Protection
By Ferdinand Olise
The ActionAid Nigeria has called on governments at all levels to urgently prioritise safe, affordable housing, strengthen social protection systems, and implement economic policies that address the growing hardship and structural inequalities affecting millions of Nigerians.
This is as Nigeria marks the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Under the theme “Safe Homes for All,” within the broader 2026 – 2028 theme, “United for Peace and Human Rights,”
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, in a statement said this year’s commemoration highlights that adequate housing is fundamental to human dignity, security, and economic opportunity.
He noted that millions of Nigerians continue to face poverty, food insecurity, inadequate shelter and limited access to essential public services, noting that housing remains another critical challenge.
According to him, a 2025 World Bank analytical review estimated that 87 million Nigerians live in poor housing conditions, with a national housing deficit of approximately 17 million units. For vulnerable households, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities and displaced communities, inadequate housing compounds poverty.
“Poverty is not inevitable. It is sustained by inequality, exclusion and policy choices that continue to deny millions of Nigerians access to necessities and opportunities. In a country endowed with enormous human and natural resources, no family should have to choose between food, shelter, healthcare and education.
“The true measure of national progress is not simply how much the economy grows, but how significantly the lives of the most vulnerable improve”, he said.
ActionAid Nigeria therefore emphasises that strengthening social protection is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty.
The organisation among other demands, called on Federal and State Governments to increase investment in safe, adequate and affordable housing, particularly for low-income households, while expanding access to essential services, including healthcare, education, clean water and sanitation.
It also called on Governments at all levels to adequately finance and expand inclusive social protection programmes, prioritise decent work and fair economic opportunities, and ensure that economic and fiscal policies protect vulnerable households rather than deepen inequality.
The organisation also called on governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and citizens to work together toward a Nigeria where every family has access to safe housing, meaningful social protection, and fair opportunities to thrive.
The organisation added that poverty cannot be eradicated through declarations alone, but requires political will, deliberate investment in people and a collective commitment to justice, equality and human dignity.
