Bamboo for Smart Homes? Nigerians React with Shock as FG Unveils Puzzling Housing Plan

 

A wave of disbelief is sweeping across the country following an unexpected announcement by the Federal Government: bamboo, the same material often used for scaffolding and garden fences, is now being proposed as the foundation for Nigeria’s future smart homes.

In a statement that left many Nigerians bewildered, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, disclosed plans to use bamboo as the primary building material for affordable, durable, and technologically enabled houses targeted at low- and middle-income earners.

The announcement was made during her visit to the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in Abuja. There, she praised the institute’s research into bamboo construction and suggested that the material could revolutionize Nigeria’s housing sector.

“We are looking at innovation that solves real-world problems. Bamboo gives us the opportunity to build faster, cheaper, and smarter,” she said.

That statement has since triggered a flurry of criticism and confusion on social media and in policy circles. For many, the idea that bamboo — a material not typically associated with permanence or structural strength — could be used to erect smart homes sounds not just impractical but downright absurd.

Across various platforms, Nigerians expressed skepticism. “Are we moving forward or backwards?” asked one user on X (formerly Twitter). “Bamboo for smart homes? Who’s advising these people?”

The government, however, appears confident in the material’s capabilities. Bamboo, officials argue, is not only abundant and eco-friendly but also highly durable when properly treated. According to proponents, it has the potential to slash construction costs, reduce environmental impact, and open up new economic opportunities, especially in rural areas where bamboo grows widely.

Still, housing experts and architects remain split on the feasibility of such a move. While acknowledging bamboo's sustainable properties, many question whether it can hold up against Nigeria’s extreme weather, urban density challenges, and building safety regulations — especially without a long-standing track record in mainstream construction.

NBRRI researchers showcased bamboo-based prototypes during the visit — structures which they claim are not only cost-effective but also integrated with modern features like solar panels and temperature control. Despite the claims, few outside the project seem convinced.

“What Nigeria needs is solid, scalable housing infrastructure — not experimental pet projects,” said one Abuja-based architect who declined to be named. “You can’t take a material used for chicken pens in some places and suddenly build smart cities with it. Where’s the data? Where’s the testing? Where’s the public engagement?”

The Ministry insists the approach is backed by science and field-tested prototypes, citing research showing that properly treated bamboo can last decades. Officials are also floating the idea of incentives for developers who adopt bamboo-based construction and support for bamboo farming across the country.

But doubts linger. In a country battling a housing deficit estimated at over 20 million units, critics argue the government should be focused on scaling up proven, durable construction methods — not experimenting with unconventional alternatives.

The controversy has further fueled frustrations about leadership priorities, especially given the country’s ongoing economic struggles and the urgent demand for dependable housing. “This isn’t about innovation — it’s about avoiding responsibility,” said a civil society advocate. “We have millions living in slums and the answer is bamboo?”

Mrs. Asanye, for her part, doubled down on the initiative, arguing that the country must think outside the box to address its chronic housing shortage. She maintained that bamboo’s environmental and economic benefits far outweigh the doubts, calling it a “strategic resource” for national development.

“We want housing that doesn’t just shelter people but uplifts their quality of life. With bamboo, we can build a future where affordability meets sustainability,” she said.

Whether this bold plan will be remembered as visionary or a misstep remains to be seen. For now, the idea of building Nigeria’s smart housing future with bamboo has raised far more eyebrows than hope.