Understanding land affordability determinants through the lens of ethnic and religious affiliations

Purpose Several institutions increasingly recognise their role in addressing the global housing crisis with initiatives focused on fostering land access by people who identify with them. This study examined land affordability through the lens of ethnic and religious affiliations to provide useful information for addressing housing deficits in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach The research questionnaire was administered to 154 and 151 household heads in Redemption City and Amuwo-Odofin, respectively. A questionnaire was used in data collection and data were analysed using frequencies, means, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and Cronbach’s Alpha test. The results showed the significance of 14 factors as determinants of land affordability from ethnic and religious affiliation perspectives. Findings The results showed that the respondents agreed that 14 factors were significant determinants of land affordability from ethnic and religious affiliation perspectives. These factors include membership of other social organisations, social status, membership of cooperative societies, absence of land grabbers, access to smaller plot sizes, evidence of ethnic affiliation, subsidised land registration, favourable policies on land transfer, cultural/traditional status, and affiliation to the predominant ethnic group with mean scores above 3.0. With a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.896, the EFA grouped the factors into three dimensions: socio-ethnic inclusion (containing 12 items), religious obligations (containing two items), and religious status (containing two items). With the respective Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.973, 0.934, and 0.786, these three new factors had internal consistency. Practical implications The study underscores the need for nuanced policy interventions in Nigeria, targeting ethnic and religious affiliations as key factors of land affordability. Emphasising inclusivity, the research advocates for initiatives reinforcing land tenure security and community engagement to mitigate disparities and promote sustainable development within the housing sector. Originality/value This study’s novelty is unparalleled as it represents the first attempt to examine the determinants of land affordability from the perspective of ethnic and religious affiliations.