Challenges in public housing provision in the post independence era in Nigeria

This study investigated the contextual and organizational challenges in public housing provision in Nigeria in the post independence era. It was motivated by dearth of empirical studies on organizational challenges in public housing in this country. Using data derived from a survey of fifteen public housing agencies in southern Nigeria, the study found that scarcity of housing finance, lack of consistency and continuity in housing policy formulation and poor implementation strategies, unfavorable political environment and declining population of tradesmen in the construction industry were key contextual challenges militating against public housing provision. In addition, low level of inter-agencies collaborations, poor staff motivation and rewarding system as well as inadequate operational equipment and vehicles were responsible for the inability of public housing agencies to deliver on their housing mandate in the study area. The paper suggests that stable polity, consistency in housing policies and programs and capacity building in public housing agencies through public-private partnerships are needed to improve on the quantity and quality of public housing in Nigeri

Factors of Gender Inequality and Development among Selected Low Human Development Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Gender inequality and poor women empowerment retard improvement in living standards of women and act as a clog in their contributions to governance and economic development. Gender inequality lower quality of life and culminates in limited productivity, hinder economic efficiency and growth. For over three decades, gender issues have been at the front burner of international summits. In spite of much progress in recent times, gender inequalities remain pervasive in many dimensions of life in various regions around the world particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Treatment of women is yet to be fairer and related policies can be more effective to improve the status of women. No-doubt studies have been carried out on gender inequality, but less emphasis has been raveled with respect to hindrances and implications of gender inequality. Hence, understanding the nature of gender inequality will not only promote sound awareness among African countries, but also ignite government efforts as well as NGOs toward effective interventions for reduction of gender inequality especially in the economic and political realms where women are made worse off by the socio-cultural milieu. The methodological approach to this paper was based on reviews of published multiple documents to draw up statistical profile of the situation of women in selected countries of low human Development index in SSA to show the existence of gender inequality. The paper found among all the 12 low human development countries and SSA region examined that gender indicators such as human development index, expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling, estimated gross national per capita, share of seats in parliament, population with at least secondary education and labor-force participation rate are all in favor of men. The paper concludes with recommendations to narrow the gender gaps

Work Stress among Professionals in the Building Construction Industry in Nigeria

This study was undertaken to identify key stress factors among professionals in the building construction industry in Nigeria. This is in view of the fact that to date, very little is known about work stress among professionals in the building construction industry in this country. The study involved the administration of a questionnaire to 107 professionals including architects, builders, civil/structural engineers and quantity surveyors randomly selected from 60 ongoing building projects in Anambra, Ogun and Kaduna States, Nigeria. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and findings show that the principal sources of stress were high volume of work, uncomfortable site offices, lack of feedback on previous and ongoing building projects, and variations in the scope of work in ongoing building projects. The paper suggests that taking responsibility for work which one has adequate capacity to handle, establishing realistic budgets and time frames for project delivery, provision of spatially adequate, visually and thermally comfortable site offices, adoption of appropriate job design practices and education of professionals in stress management will reduce the incidence of stress among professionals in the building industry in Nigeria

Evaluation of the Impact of Public Housing Programmes on Sustainable Development in Nigeria:A Theoretical and Conceptual Approach

The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical and conceptual framework for the evaluation of impacts of public housing programmes on sustainable development in Nigeria. It seeks to address the challenge of adoption of inappropriate tools in evaluation research on public housing provisioning .The paper argues that for adequate knowledge of the impact of public housing on sustainable development, a broad-based framework that transcends boundaries of many disciples should be engaged in the evaluation process. Therefore the proposed framework draws on a holistic and realistic approach to evaluation based on objective-oriented theory; theory-driven evaluation paradigm and a number of conceptual issues that allow for the assessment of relationships between input, output, outcomes and impacts, as well as sustainability of benefits of public housing programmes. The distinct features of this framework include: an open-ended evaluation approach; the use of survey tools in capacity and auditing of housing providers, household survey and environmental impact audit in assessing the impact and sustainability of public housing programme

Satisfaction with Public Housing among Urban Women in Ogun State,Nigeria

This study investigated satisfaction with public housing amongst women in urban areas of Ogun State Southwest Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of residents in nine housing estates constructed by the Government of Ogun State between 2003 and 2010 was conducted using structured questionnaire as data collection instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. It was observed that most women living in public housing sampled in the study area were low and middle-income earners and not satisfied with their present housing conditions. Although they were most satisfied with housing unit features, the main source of dissatisfaction was poor access to basic services and social infrastructure in the housing estates. The management aspects of the housing schemes, size and security of the dwelling units were the main factors that determined respondents’ satisfaction with their housing environment. These findings suggest that the design and construction of housing units to specified standards does not ensure housing satisfaction, rather the management aspect of public housing which includes the location of the estates and provision of basic services and infrastructure are also important in enhancing housing satisfaction among low and middle-income urban women. Therefore, there is a need for improved knowledge of the specific housing needs of women among policy makers and housing developers as well as the involvement of women at all stages of public housing provision in Nigeri