MANY NIGERIANS CAN AFFORD HOUSES WITH RIGHT PRIORITIES — OJIRIBE

Ojiribe has argued that many Nigerians could afford homes if they made property ownership a stronger financial priority.

The position draws attention to the role of personal choices in achieving long-term goals, particularly the balance between everyday spending and saving towards a home.

However, housing affordability involves more than financial discipline. Income, property prices, borrowing costs and family responsibilities all influence whether someone can realistically buy or build a house.

For households with money left after essential expenses, prioritising homeownership may help turn an ambition into a structured goal. But families whose earnings barely cover food, rent, transport and healthcare face a different challenge.

Access to suitable financing is another major factor. When buyers must pay large sums upfront, homeownership can remain difficult even for people with steady jobs and consistent savings.

In a separate discussion about Nigeria’s housing market, ARM Group Chief Executive Officer Wale Odutola identified limited access to affordable, long-term mortgages as a significant barrier, particularly for middle- and lower-income earners.

Ojiribe’s position therefore adds one perspective to a broader conversation: personal planning can help some buyers, while others need higher incomes, more affordable homes and better financing options.

Making homeownership achievable will require progress on both household finances and the wider conditions shaping the housing market.