₦airaland Forum

It has become something of high importance in Nigeria that building one's own house is a priority. Especially the yorubas and ibos (no tribalism) make it a duty to have a property at least at their villages.
In the western society (USA), it has been observed that not every one see it compulsory to own a property. The society don't see it a big deal to do that. Many people rent apartments and still have a happy home.
I am not saying it is a bad idea to own (even I am in support) but I see that it is not possible for everyone to own a property.
Now I put it to you as a Nigerian, is it compulsory for you to have it as a target?

Compulsory and Financial capability is two different thing...

Yes, it's good to have a house whenever you want it be in your village or where you reside.
But it's not compulsory to have a house if you don't have the financial mean.
So, not every Nigerian have or owns a house. The percentage of those who don't have a house is more than those who have.

And talking of USA, you are talking of a different atmosphere... there are buildings for rent offered either by individual or by Govt. not much of that here in Nigeria. The percentage of those who don't won their own house is more than those that does because of finance too.. every American wants to own a house if they can afford it but not so.. The demography in America is also different, where you reside can be your village or town, but not so in our good Nigeria... Yoruba thinks they have to be in the West to be at home, Igbo thinks same, also Hausa thinks the same, we have too much sense of belonging... whereas it's not same in America... anywhere you reside is home.

I don't know if I answered some of your questions though... or may be just ranting.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:
Compulsory and Financial capability is two different thing...

Yes, it's good to have a house whenever you want it be in your village or where you reside.
But it's not compulsory to have a house if you don't have the financial mean.
So, not every Nigerian have or owns a house. The percentage of those who don't have a house is more than those who have.

And talking of USA, you are talking of a different atmosphere... there are buildings for rent offered either by individual or by Govt. not much of that here in Nigeria. The percentage of those who don't won their own house is more than those that does because of finance too.. every American wants to own a house if they can afford it but not so.. The demography in America is also different, where you reside can be your village or town, but not so in our good Nigeria... Yoruba thinks they have to be in the West to be at home, Igbo thinks same, also Hausa thinks the same, we have too much sense of belonging... whereas it's not same in America... anywhere you reside is home.

I don't know if I answered some of your questions though... or may be just ranting.

Hajji M.

i totally agree with u,

my neighbour is 76yrs, she was born a few miles away frm our house, got married to a local boy in the same area,
had 3kids then moved to our current street 38 years ago.

and dats where she has been since.

her 3kids live about 10mins drive away in different directions.

oh n she has been renting the house o,

but she is very contented, she will often tell me '' i have lived a beautiful life, am very happy''

compare dat wit the average nigerian

segiwest:
It has become something of high importance in Nigeria that building one's own house is a priority. Especially the yorubas and ibos (no tribalism) make it a duty to have a property at least at their villages.
In the western society (USA), it has been observed that not every one see it compulsory to own a property. The society don't see it a big deal to do that. Many people rent apartments and still have a happy home.
I am not saying it is a bad idea to own (even I am in support) but I see that it is not possible for everyone to own a property.
Now I put it to you as a Nigerian, is it compulsory for you to have it as a target?

its the pressure to build that kills me.

not neccessarily frm other pple but from my fear of being old n broke.

i just sat a few days ago to calculate how much i spent on building last year

i dont know if to laugh or cry

segiwest:
It has become something of high importance in Nigeria that building one's own house is a priority. Especially the yorubas and ibos (no tribalism) make it a duty to have a property at least at their villages.
In the western society (USA), it has been observed that not every one see it compulsory to own a property. The society don't see it a big deal to do that. Many people rent apartments and still have a happy home.
I am not saying it is a bad idea to own (even I am in support) but I see that it is not possible for everyone to own a property.
Now I put it to you as a Nigerian, is it compulsory for you to have it as a target?

You introduced America into your argument, is home ownership not one if not the most important component of the "American dream"?.In America a slump in the housing market is seen as evidence of a downturn in the economy. Anywhere in the world property ownership is critical to wealth creation hence the importance attached to home ownership.