ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigerian architect and entrepreneur, Arc. Zulkifilu Dalhatu Yahuza, has called for a shift in Nigeria’s approach to real estate development, saying the country needs more professionally planned communities rather than developments focused solely on putting up individual buildings.
Yahuza, founder of Hoopoe Architects Limited, said Nigeria’s rapidly growing population makes proper urban planning increasingly important to the future of its cities.
He made the observation while discussing the development of Hoopoe Residence, Idu, Abuja, one of the major projects currently being undertaken by his company.
According to him, real estate development should go beyond the construction of houses to creating environments where residents can live, work and build sustainable lives.
“For me, real estate is not simply about constructing buildings; it is about creating communities where people can live, work and build their future with dignity.”
Yahuza said properly planned developments should take into consideration critical elements including infrastructure, transportation, energy efficiency, water management, security, recreation and the general quality of life of residents.
He argued that an isolated approach to construction could fail to address the wider needs of communities, particularly as Nigerian cities continue to expand.
“As an architect, my responsibility is therefore not just to design beautiful buildings, but to think about how those buildings function within the wider community,” he said.
The architect also highlighted the economic impact of properly executed real estate projects, noting that construction activities create opportunities for a wide range of professionals and businesses.
According to him, a single development can generate demand for architects, engineers, artisans, builders, suppliers, transporters, facility managers and other service providers.
He therefore believes real estate can play a significant role in addressing both Nigeria’s housing challenges and its employment needs.
Yahuza said his professional experience has exposed him to projects across different sectors, including institutional, educational, corporate, military and residential developments.
His portfolio includes involvement in the design and supervision of the National Assembly Service Commission Complex, Abuja, in 2021; the School for Bilingual Education Programme across the 19 Northern States, in 2022; the Ja’iz Takaful Insurance Ltd Head Office upgrade, Abuja, completed in 2023; the Jaji Military Cantonment Multi-Purpose Hall Project in 2024; and the ongoing Hoopoe Residence, Idu, Abuja.
He said the experience has reinforced his conviction that Nigeria’s built environment requires long-term thinking.
“Nigeria has a huge housing deficit, a rapidly growing population and millions of young people seeking employment,” Yahuza said.
He maintained that stronger collaboration between government and responsible private-sector developers could help unlock the potential of architecture and real estate as drivers of employment, economic growth and sustainable urban development.
Yahuza said his ambition through Hoopoe Architects Limited is not merely to develop properties, but to contribute to the transformation of Nigeria’s built environment through projects designed to stand the test of time.
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