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Chairman of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunji Ojo, says widespread land encroachment and unpaid housing obligations have significantly distorted Nigeria’s housing system, particularly in legacy estates such as FESTAC.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday in Abuja, Ojo noted that “most of our lands were in the hands of land grabbers,” adding that enforcement and digital tracking have become central to recovering FHA assets and improving revenue generation.
“Most of our houses, people were staying in FHA houses. FESTAC, for example, since 1977, only 60% of the occupiers have paid the mortgage. So that means we have over 40% of people staying till now in the FESTAC without paying mortgage since 1977, to date,” Ojo said, highlighting the long-standing defaults in FHA estates.
He contrasted Nigeria’s situation with other jurisdictions, adding that the FHA has adopted new enforcement tools, including aerial surveillance, to intensify ground enforcement actions:
He said recovered revenues are now being reinvested into housing delivery, with FHA pursuing affordability targets.
Ojo also emphasised collaboration with state governments, describing it as essential given land ownership structures, and added that public housing agencies must become more self-sustaining.
