Experts urged journalists to bring issues of affordable housing to national discourse

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Experts in the housing sector have called on journalists to bring the critical issue of affordable housing to the front burner of national discourse.
They made the call in separate presentations at the 2024 Real Estate/Housing Reporters’ Workshop at the weekend in Abuja.
Dr Austin Maho, of the International Institute of Journalism (IlJ), said journalists have great roles to play in realising affordable housing in the country..
Maho tasked the media to set agenda for government in tackling housing deficit plaguing the nation.
According to him, the prices of goods, services, cement and affiliated products used in construction of houses should be made accessible and affordable.
“Housing comes under welfare of the citizens but if Nigeria as a country has 17 million housing deficit, it is a great problem and government must put measures in place to bridge that housing gap.
“The media has a critical role to play putting the issues out there and making sure that government respond to them,” he said
Speaking in the same vein, Executive Director, African Media Round Table Initiative Bode Adeyemi, called for more media coverage for the real estate sector in the society.
He said there are lots of investment opportunities in the real estate sector but many low income earners were not aware of.
“Most Nigerians especially people in the lower rung of the economic ladder are not familiar with the opportunities that are inherent in real estate investment.
“It is a sector that has capacity to engage nearly all other sectors.