HIKMA PUBLISHER

Hikma Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies
Published: October 4, 2026 | Vol. 1 Issue 4 | E-ISSN: 3139-5597
Research Article

URBAN HOUSING POLICY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AKWA IBOM STATE (2003 – 2025)

Aniefon Maurice Etuk1✉, Prof. Chijioke Basil Onuoha1
1 Department of Public Administration, University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State
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Abstract

The study investigated the urban housing policy and sustainable development in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, focusing on the degree to which government housing policy impacts on housing accessibility, affordability, housing finance and socio-economic well-being of citizens and civil servants. The study was driven by the continued housing challenges the state faces, such as lack of affordable housing, high rental and construction costs, lack of access to housing finance, problem of land acquisition and documentation, infrastructural shortfalls and buildings delivery constraints. A survey research method was used in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents with documentary and observational data on housing schemes and policy implementation in the state used as complementary data. Descriptive statistics and inferential techniques such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. The results showed that there was a positive significant relationship between effective housing policy and sustainable development of the city of Akwa ibom state. In particular, availability of finance for housing was highly correlated with better housing accessibility and socio-economic welfare, and the slowdown in the land acquisition procedure, in the registration of land titles and the approval of housing development, hampered the delivery of effective housing. The study also revealed that access to decent and affordable housing is still limited for low- and middle-income households and civil servants due to inadequate housing finance, high housing cost, lack of infrastructure, weak implementation of housing programmes and administrative delays. The study recommends that good housing policy is needed to facilitate inclusive and sustainable urban development in Akwa Ibom State. The study suggested more effective execution of housing programmes, easier and more flexible housing finance, expansion of affordable housing schemes, infrastructure provision, more use of indigenous and cost-effective housing materials, and digitalization and ease of administration of land and housing. These would enhance the accessibility and affordability of housing and aid with the socio-economic development of the state.
Keywords: Urban housing policy, sustainable development, housing affordability, housing finance, housing accessibility, civil servants, Akwa Ibom State.

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