Credit: Tope. A Asokere
The ownership of dwellings is a crucial aspect of housing and living conditions, as it determines the stability and security of households. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in Nigeria in 2021 sheds light on the percentage of households by ownership of dwellings, by area of residence and region. The survey provides valuable insights into the state of housing in Nigeria, and highlights the differences between urban and rural areas.
According to the survey, 61% of households in Nigeria own their dwelling, while 39% of households do not own their dwelling. This suggests that the majority of households in Nigeria have a level of stability and security in their housing situation, as they own the dwelling they live in. However, this also means that a significant proportion of households in Nigeria are living in rented or other forms of non-owned housing.
When examining the data by area of residence, a significant gap emerges between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, 38.2% of households own their dwelling, while 61.8% do not own their dwelling. This means that the majority of households in urban areas in Nigeria are living in rented or other forms of non-owned housing. In contrast, in rural areas, 81% of households own their dwelling, while only 19% of households do not own their dwelling. This suggests that the majority of households in rural areas in Nigeria have a higher level of stability and security in their housing situation, as they own the dwelling they live in.
he North West and North East regions have the highest percentages of households that own their dwellings, at 86.3% and 84.9%, respectively. The North Central region also has a relatively high percentage of households that own their dwellings, at 71.5%. These three regions are predominantly Muslim and have a large agricultural sector. It is possible that these factors contribute to higher levels of home ownership, as owning a home is seen as a measure of success and stability in these areas.
In contrast, the South East and South South regions have lower percentages of households that own their dwellings, at 51.3% and 52.6%, respectively. These regions are predominantly Christian and have a significant oil and gas sector. The lower rates of home ownership in these areas may be attributed to higher costs of living and housing, as well as a greater number of people moving to these regions in search of work.