Significant Demographic Factors Fuelling Housing Deficit in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

This article assesses the significant demographic factors fuelling housing deficit in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Using a mixed method approach as survey design coupled with a combination of purposive and stratified sampling technique, 1254 households were selected for administration of questionnaires during data collection process. Questionnaires, interviews were the major instruments of data collection from seven residential development corridors (RDCs) in Ado-Ekiti. Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) supported secondary data. Findings revealed that high population growth, rapid urbanisation and migration increased housing deficit in the study area. Hence, this study observed an increase in live births (162, 901) than deaths (45, 046) in Ado-Ekiti. Also, findings revealed an increase in building concentration (57.7%) from 2000-date. Similarly, this study observed an increase in challenges such as urban sprawl and infrastructure deficiency (L-INFRA) encountered as a result of rapid urbanisation. The study noted an increase in quantitative housing deficit (223,086) in 2023. Thus, a quantitative housing deficit of 334,554 housing units would arise in 2034.Furthermore, sharing of dwellings with other households (SHAD), a resultant effect of high migration trends constituted 43.4 percent across the RDCs in Ado-Ekiti. Also, improved infrastructural facilities (33.8%) was the modal reason for staying (RESTAY) in the study area. Using Paired T-test, this study further validated that a perfect positive relationship (1.000) exists between population growth and housing deficit in Ado-Ekiti. Therefore, this study recommends adoption of effective Family Planning Methods (FPMs), regional distribution of infrastructural facilities and conversion of under-utilised lands for an efficient housing delivery in Ado-Ekiti.