By Gabriel Ameh
Nigerian real estate developer and housing strategist, MY ACE China, has called for a complete restructuring of Nigeria’s housing sector, advocating indigenous building materials, cooperative financing systems and functional public private partnerships as key solutions to the nation’s housing deficit.
The developer, popularly known as the “Mayor of Housing,” made the remarks during an exclusive interview where he stressed that real estate development requires patience, innovation and long term vision.
According to him, sustainable housing projects cannot be achieved through rushed execution or politically driven policies.
“Real estate is the only industry that rewards patience. Whatever must last takes time, deep thinking and precision,” he stated.
The housing expert said innovation remains central to his company’s operations, noting that its developments are intentionally designed to offer features not commonly available within the market.
He explained that the company currently operates across three housing categories luxury “Phantom Series” smart cities, middle class smart estates and affordable mini city projects targeted at low income earners.
The developer also revealed plans to deploy hydrogen powered energy systems within estates to provide cheaper electricity alternatives for residents.
Speaking on the state of Nigeria’s housing sector, he blamed rising construction costs, weak institutions and excessive dependence on imported materials for worsening affordability challenges.
He argued that politically motivated Public Private Partnerships have consistently failed because projects often collapse after changes in government.
“The solution to housing in Nigeria is functional PPP, not political PPP,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s dependence on imported construction materials has left the sector vulnerable to exchange rate instability following naira devaluation and fuel subsidy removal.
To reduce costs, he advocated the creation of industrial hubs dedicated to local manufacturing of building materials such as glass, ceramics and other construction components.
“If materials are produced locally, housing prices will naturally reduce,” he added.
The real estate strategist further urged government to reform land administration systems to make land acquisition easier for civil servants and low income Nigerians.
He also encouraged a return to indigenous construction methods using bamboo, clay bricks and other locally sourced materials, insisting that African communities historically built durable housing systems before adopting expensive imported technologies.
On housing finance, he rejected the idea that Western style mortgage systems can effectively solve Nigeria’s housing needs.
Instead, he proposed a thrift based housing model that would allow young Nigerians, traders and artisans to gradually save toward home ownership through structured contribution systems.
“Nigeria was not built on mortgage culture. Nigeria was built on thrift culture,” he said.
The developer disclosed that his company’s research and development department is currently focused on creating affordable indigenous housing solutions capable of reducing homelessness across Nigeria and Africa.
