Stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to establish regulatory frameworks that promote innovation and expand access to housing finance for home seekers in the informal sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of NISH Affordable Housing Ltd., Dr. Saheed Adelakun, made the call during a panel session themed ‘Reimagining Affordable Housing: The Role of Technology in Solving the Housing Crisis’ at the Big 5 Construct Nigeria event.

Adelakun expressed concern over the challenges faced by informal-sector workers in accessing mortgages, noting that the absence of formal documentation, such as employment letters or payslips, often limits their ability to own homes.

He emphasised the need for innovative, technology-driven solutions to bridge this financing gap, while lamenting Nigeria’s growing housing deficit.

He said, “Sometimes we underestimate people in the informal sector. They are often in a better position to own homes than many of us in paid employment, but the problem is that they lack payslips or letters of employment.

“If we can leverage digital savings platforms to track and assess their financial behaviour over time, we can determine their creditworthiness.

“We need a regulatory framework to make this possible in Nigeria. There are numerous innovative housing finance solutions we must explore to make home ownership accessible, especially for the younger generation,” he said.

Corroborating the above, the Chief Resident Architect at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Sebastine Thomas, underscored the critical role of technology in modern housing delivery.

He highlighted the potential of deploying 3D printing and modular construction systems to meet the growing demand for sustainable and durable housing, particularly in urban centres like Lagos and Abuja.

The Senior Vice President at DMG, Josine Heijmans, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s construction industry. She noted that this year’s edition of the event focused on bringing together key stakeholders to propose best-practice solutions.

“We are here to support Nigeria’s long-term goals in housing, infrastructure development, and energy transition. This aligns with the government’s objectives to improve national infrastructure,” she said.

Meanwhile, Big 5 Construct Nigeria concluded its 5th and largest edition at the Landmark Centre in Lagos following three days of networking, product showcases and professional development.

In a statement, it was noted that welcoming more than 9,806 construction professionals, the event provided an array of sourcing solutions, products and services that address Nigeria’s housing, construction and infrastructure priorities. Participants engaged in conversations centred on accelerated delivery, integrated sustainable practices and the application of advanced technologies to the built environment.

Speaking about their support for and participation at the event, Viven Naidoo, Director of Infrastructure, Turner & Townsend, said, “With Nigeria at the centre of Africa’s construction growth, we see Big 5 Construct Nigeria as a platform supporting brands like ours to connect with stakeholders shaping the future of the built environment.

“As demand for sustainable infrastructure and resilient urban development accelerates, collaboration is essential to set new benchmarks and align with Nigeria’s long-term development goals. Our participation is a commitment to supporting clients in delivering projects that create lasting value for communities and the economy.”