Nigerian government to build smart bamboo houses for low, middle income earners

The Federal Government has announced plans to construct climate-smart, affordable homes across Nigeria using bamboo—a sustainable and eco-friendly material—targeting low and middle-income earners.

According to the government, bamboo, when combined with other proven green technologies, offers a practical and environmentally responsible solution to Nigeria’s expanding housing demands.

The initiative was revealed in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye.

Speaking through the Director of Environmental Science and Technology (EST), Mrs. Benadette Oguche, Asanye disclosed that the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), under the ministry’s supervision, is deploying innovative approaches to meet the country’s housing needs.

She said the NBRRI is focusing on sustainable construction methods, with bamboo taking center stage in the development of what she described as smart homes.

The announcement was made during a one-day capacity-building workshop titled “The Relevance of Bamboo for Climate-Smart Housing Construction: Integrating Nigerian Building Road Research Institute (NBRRI) Technologies in Reducing Carbon Footprint”, held in Abuja.

“By adopting only bamboo plants for smart houses Nigeria will not only promote environmental sustainability but also ensure that the construction process aligns with principles of adaptability, comfort and affordability for both low and medium income earners in the country,” Esuabana said.

She also expressed optimism that insights shared during the workshop would equip stakeholders with the tools to address existing challenges, including high upfront costs and the inconsistent availability of raw materials.