An Exploration of the Link between the Operational Structure and Outcomes of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Urban Housing in Nigeria

Since 2002 when public-private partnership (PPP) was formally introduced in Nigeria as one of the options for public housing delivery, various public agencies in the country have developed urban housing schemes using this strategy. However, there is a limited understanding of the operational structure of PPP in housing in this country. This study therefore examined the operational structure and how it relates to the outcomes of PPP in housing in Nigeria using Ogun State as a case study. The data were derived from a survey involving four operators and 23 residents in a PPP housing estate conducted in the study area. It was observed that whereas the policy and regulatory environment was dominated by the public sector, commercial private sector organizations played key roles in the institutional and finance structure of PPP in housing. Emphasis was on strict adherence to high building standards and the provision of housing for middle-and high-income earners. This was linked to the operational structure of the PPP, which lacked the inputs of not for- profit private sector organizations. The study recommends the adoption of a right mix of policy, institutional, funding and regulatory structure that can support a successful implementation of low-cost PPP housing projects in urban areas in Nigeria.