Nigerian Government Plans Smart Homes Built Entirely from Bamboo to Tackle Housing Crisis

In a bold move to address Nigeria’s growing housing deficit, the Federal Government has announced plans to build affordable, eco-friendly smart homes using bamboo as the primary material.

The announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday, June 11, by Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, during a high-level workshop on sustainable housing.

According to Mrs. Asanye, bamboo, when combined with proven green technologies, can provide a scalable, cost-effective solution to meet Nigeria’s housing demands without harming the environment.

“This initiative isn’t just about construction. It’s about creating climate-smart homes that support both sustainability and affordability for low- and middle-income Nigerians,” she said.

The homes will be powered by green technologies developed by the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), an agency under the ministry tasked with driving innovation in the building sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Director of Environmental Science and Technology, Mrs. Benadette Oguche, Asanye addressed participants at the One-Day Capacity Building Workshop titled “The Relevance of Bamboo for Climate-Smart Housing Construction.”

The workshop focused on how NBRRI's innovations can help reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint while tackling the housing shortage in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

Bamboo offers several advantages:

  • Rapid growth and renewability

  • Durability when treated properly

  • Lower environmental impact

  • Adaptability to various climates

Mrs. Asanye emphasized that the government’s bamboo housing strategy will ensure comfort, adaptability, and affordability, a triple win for citizens and the planet.

The Permanent Secretary acknowledged that challenges remain, including high upfront capital costs and inconsistent raw material supply. However, she expressed confidence that lessons from the workshop would help chart a way forward.

“We believe this initiative can truly transform how we build in Nigeria reducing cost, boosting innovation, and preserving our environment,” she concluded.

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