PHCCIMA President Charges Stakeholders to Deploy Innovative Solutions in Tackling Nigeria’s Housing Deficit at Real Estate Summit
PHCCIMA President charges stakeholders to move beyond conventional methods and embrace cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, creative financing, public-private partnerships and PropTech solutions to address Nigeria’s acute housing deficit and unlock massive investment opportunities in the sector.
Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, the first female President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture since its establishment in 1957, made the charge in her opening remarks at the BusinessDay South-South Real Estate Exhibition and Investment Summit held in Port Harcourt. Delivering her address under the theme “Addressing Nigeria’s Housing Deficit With Innovative Solutions,” she described the deficit as a profound human crisis affecting dignity, family stability, economic productivity and social cohesion, while also presenting a tremendous opportunity for transformative action.
Citing recent data from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which pegs the 2025 housing deficit at approximately 14.9 million units with millions more classified as substandard, Dr. Nwoga urged participants to adopt modular construction, green building technologies, blockchain-enabled land titling and impact-driven mortgage frameworks. She emphasized that PHCCIMA, as the foremost business advocacy body in the South-South, has consistently prioritized the real estate and construction sector through its dedicated Environment and Real Estate Trade Group. The Chamber engages government on land administration reforms, multiple taxation, ease of doing business and infrastructure provision while facilitating business linkages, capacity-building programmes and investment forums that connect local and international players.
Dr. Nwoga highlighted Port Harcourt’s emergence as Nigeria’s third-largest real estate market as evidence of what strategic private-sector leadership can achieve. She called for concrete commitments to pilot innovative housing models, reform hindering policies and mobilise long-term financing for resilient, smart and sustainable homes. PHCCIMA, she said, stands ready to partner with all stakeholders through continued advocacy and collaboration platforms.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by Secretary to the State Government Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, reinforced the message by describing housing as a major driver of economic growth, urban renewal, job creation and wealth generation. He reaffirmed the state’s openness to private-sector partnerships to bridge the deficit and elevate living standards.
In his keynote, Mustapha Njie, Group Managing Director of TAF Africa Global, advocated for improved access to housing loans, deeper public-private partnerships and reduced bureaucracy in land and property registration. He drew on his organisation’s experience in large-scale regional projects, including the Greater TAF City initiative.
Prominent developer My-Ace China, popularly known as the Mayor of Housing and CEO of The Mayor of Housing Ltd, positioned Port Harcourt as the hottest real estate destination in Nigeria at the moment. He encouraged robust post-summit efforts to showcase local projects to international investors, noting the positive momentum generated by the summit towards sparking an economic revolution in the Garden City.
The gathering of policymakers, developers, investors and industry leaders underscored a shared resolve to turn Nigeria’s housing challenge into a legacy of abundance through innovation, collaboration and decisive action. Stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained partnerships would accelerate affordable housing delivery and reinforce Rivers State’s push for renewed economic prominence.
