At UN Forum, Youth Leader Champions Housing Solutions For Nigeria

Nigeria’s Youth Parliament Leader, Engineer Martins Egwakhide, has advocated innovative solutions to address Nigeria’s housing deficit during his participation at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The global forum, convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), brought together policymakers, urban planners and development stakeholders from across the world to discuss sustainable urban development and housing challenges.

During the event, Egwakhide participated in high-level policy dialogues on affordable housing, urban development and sustainable infrastructure. He also attended engagements alongside Nigerian youth stakeholders, including Hon. Osawemwenhio Uwagboe, Minority Leader of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.

A major focus of discussions at the forum was Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated at over 28 million housing units. Egwakhide held consultations with senior UN-Habitat officials on strategies to bridge the gap through innovative financing mechanisms and strengthened public-private partnerships.

He commended President Bola  Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, describing it as a significant initiative with the potential to expand access to affordable housing while stimulating economic growth.

On the sidelines of the forum, Egwakhide also held strategic discussions with Anar Guliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator for WUF13. Their talks focused on collaboration, knowledge exchange and the adoption of sustainable urban planning practices.

Speaking on the importance of youth participation in governance and development, Egwakhide stressed the need for greater inclusion of young people in global policy conversations, noting that platforms such as the World Urban Forum provide valuable opportunities to shape practical solutions to Nigeria’s urban challenges.

The World Urban Forum remains one of the world’s foremost gatherings on sustainable cities and urban development, bringing together stakeholders from government, civil society and the private sector to advance solutions for rapidly growing urban populations.

Egwakhide’s participation at WUF13 underscores the increasing involvement of Nigerian youths in international development discourse and reflects a commitment to advancing practical solutions for Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector.