As Nigeria’s population continues to grow, the demand for housing and urban infrastructure is rapidly growing. Increased urbanization necessitates more social amenities, housing, and infrastructural developmental projects in Nigeria. The rapid urbanization and natural population growth within urban areas will continue to be an essential demographic phenomenon shaping housing needs.
In a paper at the opening of the Kaduna International Housing exhibition, Dr. Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, MD/CEO, Kaduna International Housing Exhibition/AREWA Construction Academy, said the reforms will further transform the Northern Region. He called for sponsorship and support from wealthy Nigerians, adding that Kaduna State is ready to tackle the state’s housing deficit.
According to him, “We are going to have two sets of houses apart from the mass housing that we are embarking on. We also have social housing, which will be affordable to all, even to low-income earners. I assure you that all houses will be affordable to every low-income earner in the state.
“Because of the population explosion, the houses you have presently may not be available in the next two to three years, so you must plan for housing,” he said.
The exhibition showcased new technologies, products, services, and housing projects across the region. The maiden event also showcased cutting-edge housing and construction technologies, products and services, mortgage finance options, and housing and construction projects across the state and northern Nigeria.
Day two highlighted the unveiling of AREWA Construction Academy, the signing-up ceremony of the first batch of Artisans of AREWA Construction Academy in partnership with Kaduna Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Agency and Nigeria Directorate of Employment, the unveiling of KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society/Membership Registration – Head of Service, Kaduna.
Also, during the event, the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, bagged the Best Sustainable Housing Innovation Award tagged KADIHE 1.0, organized by the Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC).
The university emerged winners, beating Kaduna Polytechnic, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, as well as the Kaduna State University (KASU), which came second, third, and fourth, respectively.
It could be recalled that the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC), Abubakar Rabiu Abubakara, an architect, at the opening of the exhibition, announced the launch of two social initiatives: the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society, demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skills development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.
The seven flagship projects unveiled at the exhibition, he said, “Represent a bold vision for Kaduna State’s future, comprising the KSDPC Ultramodern Mechanic Village (Eastern Sector), which will revolutionize the automotive industry, while the 5-star hospital with doctors’ quarters will provide world-class healthcare services. The Private International University (ABSAAR) will offer quality education, and the Building Materials Village (Eastern Sector) will cater for the growing demand for construction materials.
“Additionally, the Trucks and Heavy-duty Mechanistic Village will boost the state’s logistics and transportation sector, and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society will provide affordable housing options for citizens. The Kaduna Construction Academy will equip professionals with modern skills, ensuring a competent workforce for the state’s infrastructure development.”
The first batch of the Artisans of Arewa Construction Academy, which is being established in partnership with the Kaduna Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Agency and the Nigerian Directorate of Employment, was signed up at the exhibition.
However, announcing the winners of the competition, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Uba Sani on Student Matters, Hajiya Amina Sani Bello, said the schools put up a good fight with their exciting innovations, but there can be only one winner. She noted that five students each were picked from the Department of Architecture in the participating institutions on sustainable mass housing.
A representative of ABU students who participated in the competition, Zainun Abiden Alhassan, said it was challenging coming up with the idea in three weeks, and expressed happiness that their effort paid off. He said, “It was a very challenging period, and we had little time to work on our project. We divided the challenges into three categories, comprising mass housing for all, mass housing for the middle class, and retrofitting (improving already existing projects). It took us just three weeks to put everything together, and we are happy that our effort was not in vain.”
