Study of the Housing Needs of Civil Servants in Makurdi, Benue State

This study examines the housing needs and conditions of civil servants in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, North Central Nigeria, providing a systematic baseline for housing policy targeting this significant population segment. Civil servants constitute a substantial and relatively stable demand group for housing in state capitals, yet their housing situation in medium-sized Nigerian cities like Makurdi is poorly documented. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, administering questionnaires to 200 civil servants drawn from the Benue State Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Finance, and Works through proportionate stratified sampling. Questions addressed current housing tenure, occupancy conditions, housing expenditure burden, housing aspirations, and awareness of government housing assistance programmes. Findings indicate that 72 percent of sampled civil servants rent their accommodation, with average housing cost-to-income ratios of 38 percent, which is above recommended affordability thresholds. Owner occupation is constrained by inadequate savings capacity, lack of mortgage access, and high urban land costs. Government quarters are occupied by fewer than 15 percent of respondents, reflecting the deterioration and politicisation of government housing allocation. Overcrowding is common, with 45 percent of respondents occupying units where bedroom occupancy exceeds two persons. Awareness of the National Housing Fund is relatively high (63 percent) but actual contribution and loan access is negligible. Recommendations include reforming civil service housing loan schemes to offer competitive mortgage rates and partnering with the Benue State Housing Corporation for staff housing construction. Keywords: housing needs, civil servants, Makurdi, housing affordability, residential accommodation.