Borno, Adamawa, Yobe Lost Over One Million Houses To Insurgency – Governor Zulum

• Governor Zulum reassured the public, asserting that over 90% of Borno is now secure

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State disclosed that the relentless onslaught by Boko Haram insurgents resulted in the destruction of over one million homes across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. This grim revelation emerged during the unveiling of winners for the 2023 Nigeria Housing Design Competition, ‘Home After Crisis,’ in Abuja.

Governor Zulum, speaking on the extensive efforts to rebuild, stated, “Within the last 12 years, we’ve reconstructed more than 30%. However, a significant deficit remains.” Congratulating the winners of the design competition, he emphasized the necessity for homes built for returnees to undergo rigorous testing for structural integrity.

The project’s primary objective is to create incremental, affordable, and modular houses. Governor Zulum assured his government would wholeheartedly support this housing initiative, offering the necessary political will and commitment.

Addressing concerns about potential terrorist threats, Governor Zulum reassured the public, asserting that over 90% of Borno is now secure.

At the event, Laurent De Boeck, Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nigeria, highlighted the escalating violence in Northeast Nigeria since 2015, resulting in an unprecedented housing emergency. By 2023, an estimated 3.5 million people had lost their homes or lived in precarious conditions. Nigeria faces an acute housing deficit, currently estimated at around 23 million.

De Boeck explained that the ‘Home After Crisis’ design competition, funded by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), aimed to address the housing needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Bringing together 1,600 designers, architects, and engineers from 100 countries, the competition generated 250 design proposals for low-cost and innovative housing solutions.

Highlighting the competition’s focus on Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, De Boeck emphasized the goal of providing access to affordable housing built with local materials that is resilient to climate challenges. The winning design, Sabon Gida, Sabon Farko by Team Imagini NG, claimed the top prize of 5000 Euros. Zuhura Zuhair and Team COWA secured the second and third positions, receiving 3000 Euros and 2000 Euros, respectively.