Enhancing homeownership opportunities among middle-income earners in Nigeria: A case study of Lagos Metropolis

Ogunnaike, Adekunle

Abstract

Access to decent housing in cities and urban areas in Nigeria continues to be a problem, especially for low-income households. Government policies over the years have proven ineffective to address the problem. It is proposed that an improvement in housing access for middle-income earners has the potential to help redress the problem, allowing the government to focus attention and direct resources towards addressing housing for the low-income households in the country. This study seeks to investigate the factors that could enhance middle-income household homeownership in Nigeria, using Lagos Metropolis as a case study.

The study adopted a single case study research strategy using a quantitative-qualitative mixed methods approach. Data for the quantitative study was obtained using a questionnaire survey of the low and middle-income earners in Lagos Metropolis. Conversely, qualitative data was obtained through qualitative interviews with housing experts. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression (quantitative data) and thematic analysis (qualitative data). Research findings were then validated with experts from the public and private sectors.

The findings of this research established that income, age, and savings continue to be positive determinants of homeownership, while household size and weak housing policies contribute negatively to homeownership in Lagos Metropolis. Contrary to the widely held notion that access to the mortgage is the strongest factor influencing homeownership in Nigeria, this study found that access to land and title documentation are more crucial to middle-income homeownership than mortgages in Lagos Metropolis.

The original contribution to knowledge is the introduction of a new framework for enhancing homeownership among middle-income earners. The framework can be used by the housing industry and policy makers to inform new policies and create new housing products. Secondly, it contributes new knowledge on homeownership emphasizing that land, is a critical factor affecting homeownership among middle-income earners in Nigeria’s urban centres. The study is not totally generalizable and cannot be replicated statistically in other cities due to varying socio-economic circumstances, it can be extended conceptually and methodically in determining key factors influencing homeownership in cities in Nigeria.

Citation

Ogunnaike, A. Enhancing homeownership opportunities among middle-income earners in Nigeria: A case study of Lagos Metropolis. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/889299

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Keywords: housing, homeownership, Nigeria, middle-income earners, low -income earners, Lagos
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/889299
• Award Date: Apr 12, 2017