FUOYE Professor Advocates Data-Driven Housing System and Long-Term Tenancy in Nigeria

Housing Choices Should Be Guided by Data and Long-Term Planning, Says FUOYE Scholar

A Professor of Applied Valuation at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Isaac Olatunji, has called for a major transformation of Nigeria’s housing delivery system through the adoption of data-driven housing models and long-term tenancy structures. The academic argued that Nigeria’s housing challenges cannot be solved through construction alone, stressing that housing decisions must be guided by scientific analysis, affordability metrics and long-term residential stability.

Speaking during FUOYE’s 24th inaugural lecture titled “Housing Care and Support for Nigerians: Exploring the Optimality Dimension to a Critical Real Estate Decision,” Olatunji said Nigeria must move beyond a shelter-focused approach and develop a housing system capable of improving economic wellbeing, reducing urban poverty and supporting sustainable development

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Professor Advocates “OPTi Revolution” for Housing Decisions

Central to Olatunji’s proposal is what he described as the “OPTi Revolution,” a decision-support framework based on an Optimality Index (OPTi) designed to guide Nigerians towards better housing choices.

According to the professor, the framework uses measurable indicators such as household income, transportation costs, commuting distance, housing quality and family lifestyle patterns to evaluate the suitability of housing options. He compared the system to a global rating framework capable of helping households make informed residential decisions rather than relying on trial-and-error approaches.

Olatunji argued that poor housing decisions contribute significantly to financial hardship, productivity losses and declining living standards, particularly in major urban centres where transportation and living costs continue to rise.

Housing Poverty Linked to Poor Residential Choices

The professor noted that despite decades of housing programmes and large-scale construction initiatives, poverty levels in Nigeria have continued to increase. He argued that housing policy discussions often focus excessively on unit delivery without addressing how people access, sustain and benefit from housing over time.

Citing research findings presented during the lecture, Olatunji stated that approximately 65 per cent of Abuja’s vulnerable middle-class population faces risks associated with “housing poverty” due to hidden costs linked to unsuitable housing locations, fuel expenses and transportation burdens.

He further disclosed that an average middle-income family in Abuja spends between 15 and 18 months searching for suitable accommodation, a delay he described as economically inefficient and detrimental to national productivity.

Long-Term Tenancy Model Proposed

Beyond data-driven housing selection, the professor advocated the adoption of long-term tenancy arrangements ranging from 16 to 33 years.

According to him, longer tenancy structures could improve residential stability, encourage tenants to invest in home improvements and create more predictable housing systems. He argued that secure tenancy arrangements would also support wealth creation, improve neighbourhood quality and reduce frequent displacement commonly associated with short-term rental agreements.

The recommendation comes amid growing conversations around tenancy reform and rental market regulation in Nigeria, particularly in urban centres experiencing rapid population growth and rising accommodation costs.

Housing experts have increasingly argued that formalised rental systems and structured tenancy frameworks are necessary to improve housing access for low- and middle-income earners who are unable to purchase homes outright.

Call for Professional Housing Counselling

Olatunji also proposed the institutionalisation of Residential Accommodation Procurement (RAP) counselling under the supervision of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

He urged estate surveyors and valuers to move beyond traditional brokerage roles and become professional housing advisers capable of using digital tools, analytics and data systems to guide households towards optimal housing decisions.

The proposal aligns with broader industry discussions around the growing role of data analytics, PropTech and digital systems in shaping modern real estate development and housing delivery strategies in Nigeria.

Data and Technology Becoming Central to Housing Policy

The call for a data-driven housing framework reflects a wider shift within Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector towards evidence-based planning and technology-enabled decision-making.

Industry stakeholders increasingly advocate the use of demographic mapping, affordability analysis, digital land administration systems and behavioural data to guide housing development, infrastructure planning and investment decisions.

The Federal Government has also recently introduced initiatives aimed at creating a more coordinated national housing delivery framework capable of improving policy alignment, financing and implementation across states.

Urban development analysts argue that integrating data systems into housing policy could improve resource allocation, reduce inefficiencies and help developers align projects with actual market demand.

Implications for Nigeria’s Housing Sector

Nigeria continues to face a significant housing deficit estimated at approximately 15 million units, according to comments made by FUOYE Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Afolabi, during the inaugural lecture.

As urbanisation accelerates and housing demand rises, experts warn that conventional housing delivery approaches may no longer be sufficient to address affordability and sustainability challenges.

The growing emphasis on data-driven planning, structured tenancy systems and professional housing advisory services suggests that the sector may increasingly shift towards more technology-enabled and user-focused housing models in the coming years.

Outlook

Professor Olatunji’s recommendations add to ongoing national discussions about how Nigeria can build a more sustainable, efficient and inclusive housing system. While increasing housing supply remains important, the lecture highlighted the need for stronger focus on affordability, tenure security and informed housing decision-making.

As policymakers, developers and housing professionals continue to explore solutions to Nigeria’s urban housing challenges, data-driven systems and long-term tenancy frameworks may become increasingly relevant in shaping future housing policy and residential development strategies.

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