Housing Policy and Service Delivery in Nigeria: A Study Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

This study examined the factors influencing the implementation of housing policies and service delivery in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with a focus on housing as a fundamental human need and a key driver of social and economic development. As urban populations grew and the demand for adequate shelter intensified, governments were tasked with designing housing policies to guide planning, funding, construction, and equitable distribution of housing resources. These policies aimed to enhance living conditions, address homelessness, and promote sustainable urban development. However, the effectiveness of these policies largely depended on their implementation, as well as the capacity and commitment of institutions to meet the needs of the population. In Akwa Ibom State, the implementation of housing policies had been hindered by bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, poor infrastructure planning, and the lack of essential social amenities within housing schemes. Recognizing the need for a coordinated policy framework to ensure efficient service delivery, the study employed a mixed-method approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. A purposive sample of 155 respondents, selected from a total of 260 stakeholders including government officials, private sector developers, housing beneficiaries, civil society actors, and academics participated in the study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and documentary reviews, with the validity and reliability of the instruments ensured through expert validation and statistical methods. The findings revealed that the housing schemes within the state had supported homeownership among government workers, and public-private partnerships had played a significant role in housing estate development and the provision of quality housing. The study recommended that the state government ensure sustained and predictable investment, establish more consistent and transparent policy frameworks, and strengthen collaboration between government agencies, private developers, and other stakeholders.