Innovative Pathways to Sustainable Housing in Nigeria: Decarbonization, Human Factors, and Institutional Transformation

This study addresses the urgent need for sustainable housing in Nigeria, focusing on the transformative potential of Circular Economy (CE) principles to address interconnected challenges of decarbonization, human factors, and institutional transformation. With a significant housing deficit and high carbon emissions from the construction sector, theresearch emphasizes building with the end in mind and embedding sustainability as a core value in housing practices.Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study examines policy documents, models carbon emissions, and surveys behavioural factors to understand barriers to sustainablehousing adoption. Comparative analysis with Finland and Germany reveals diverse CE adoption strategies, offering Nigeria an opportunity to turn challenges into opportunities byformalizing grassroots practices and developing tailored policies. The research also highlights the need to deepen connections between homes and ecosystems, advocating forhomes that better reflect societal values and foster harmony with nature.A critical gap in Nigeria’s housing sector lies in the end-of-life phase. The study proposes integrating “EoL wills” to manage material reuse and recycling, aligning with globaldecarbonization goals and laying the foundation for a Circular Building Label in Nigeria. This label would track residential emissions, incorporate decarbonization strategies, and measure sustainable traits through psychometric tools, pushing the boundaries of how sustainability is assessed.Timely with COP29’s focus on climate justice, this research emphasizes the importance of cultivating sustainability traits like reciprocity and delayed gratification, addressing behavioural barriers, and integrating institutional reforms. By harmonizing decarbonization pathways, human factors, and institutional dynamics, this paper provides actionable insights to advance long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s housing sector. The findings shift the focus from government-driven solutions to individual responsibility, offering a bottom-up roadmap for creating homes that embody personal values, foster societal improvement, and harmonize with ecosystems, making the research applicable to other nations in the Global South.