The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to construct affordable houses for low- and medium-income earners nationwide using bamboo as a primary building material. This initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, aims to address Nigeria’s growing housing deficit while promoting environmental sustainability and climate-smart construction practices.
According to Esuabana Asanye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, bamboo is a versatile, fast-growing, and renewable material that can be used for a variety of purposes, including construction, paper production, and traditional medicine. The adoption of bamboo for housing is expected to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and make homeownership more accessible for low-income Nigerians.
The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) is actively researching and developing sustainable bamboo-based construction solutions. The government is also working to address challenges such as high initial capital costs and the need for a stable supply of quality bamboo.
In addition to housing, the Federal Government has begun developing bamboo processing factories, starting in Kogi State, with plans for more in Ogun, Cross River, Kaduna, Edo, Benue, Ekiti, and Taraba States. These projects are part of a broader strategy to promote the bamboo and rattan economy, create jobs, and discourage deforestation by providing alternatives to traditional timber.
While some building engineers have raised concerns about the long-term durability and regulatory approval of bamboo construction in Nigeria, others highlight bamboo’s strength and potential when properly treated and used with the right design specifications.
Overall, the bamboo housing initiative is positioned as a scalable, eco-friendly solution to Nigeria’s housing challenges, with the potential to drive economic growth and environmental conservation.
