By Gabriel Ameh
Leading Nigerian real estate developer and housing strategist, MY ACE China, has declared that trust remains the most valuable currency in Nigeria’s real estate sector, as he unveiled an ambitious vision aimed at transforming housing delivery through smart technology, indigenous innovation and affordable housing systems.
Speaking during an exclusive interview, the developer popularly known as the “Mayor of Housing” said his approach to real estate goes beyond selling land and buildings, stressing that credibility and transparency are now critical factors shaping the industry.
“Most people sell land and property. I sell trust,” he stated.
“The more trust deficit there is in Nigeria, the more premium trust becomes.”
The housing entrepreneur explained that his company’s philosophy is built around innovation, accountability and long term sustainability, adding that every project is intentionally designed to stand out from conventional developments in the market.
“I always balance my developments and products with innovation you cannot find in the market. If you can find it in the market, don’t buy from me,” he said.
According to him, the company currently operates across three housing categories including luxury “Phantom Series” smart cities, middle class smart estates and low cost mini city developments targeted at expanding affordable housing opportunities for Nigerians.
As part of its innovation drive, the company is also developing hydrogen powered estates expected to provide electricity at rates cheaper than the national grid.
The developer noted that Nigeria’s housing crisis cannot be solved through politically driven interventions, but through strategic planning, local industrial growth and functional public private partnerships.
“The solution to housing in Nigeria is functional PPP, not political PPP. When partnerships are political, projects collapse with political transitions,” he stated.
He blamed rising housing costs on naira devaluation, fuel subsidy removal and the country’s heavy dependence on imported construction materials.
According to him, nearly 90 per cent of building materials used in Nigeria are imported, making the housing sector highly vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations.
To address the challenge, he called for the establishment of special industrial zones focused on local manufacturing of building materials such as ceramics, glass and other construction components.
“We have the best sand for glass and ceramics, but industries are collapsing because of energy costs. If materials are produced locally, housing prices will naturally drop,” he said.
The Mayor of Housing also advocated reforms in land administration, urging government to subsidise land acquisition for civil servants and low income earners through existing provisions within the Land Use Act.
Beyond conventional construction methods, he encouraged a return to indigenous building technologies using clay bricks, bamboo and other locally sourced materials which he described as durable and cost effective alternatives.
“Who told us bamboo is not as strong as steel?” he queried.
On housing finance, the real estate expert argued that Nigeria’s economic realities make Western style mortgage systems difficult to sustain.
Instead, he proposed a thrift based housing model rooted in traditional savings culture, which he believes would allow traders, artisans and low income earners gradually work toward home ownership.
“Nigeria was not built on mortgage culture. Nigeria was built on thrift culture,” he explained.
He further disclosed that profits from the company’s luxury smart city projects are currently being invested into research and development focused on creating affordable indigenous housing solutions for the wider population.
According to him, the long term goal is to build a sustainable housing ecosystem where affordability, accessibility and innovation work together to significantly reduce homelessness across Nigeria and Africa.
