Festus Adebayo [1] (born April 4, 1967, in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian housing advocate and the founder/Convener of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS)[2] , an annual conference and exhibition focused on addressing housing challenges in Africa. He is also the Executive Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN)[3] , a nonprofit organization with a membership of over 5,000 professionals spanning various disciplines within the housing and construction industry, advocating for affordable housing for low- and middle-income earners in Nigeria and across the continent.[4]
Education and Professional Affiliations
editAdebayo attended Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and the University of Lagos, where he studied economics. He is an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners [5] and holds memberships or affiliations with several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Institute of Building, and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
Career
editAdebayo has been involved in various federal government of Nigeria committees, including the National Housing Data Committee [6] and the Federal Government Committee on Institutional Reforms of Housing Agencies. He is also a member of the Federal Government’s Sustainability Committee on Housing, tasked with delivering two million houses across Nigeria’s 36 states.
He is known for his advocacy work, which includes hosting television and radio programs focused on housing, such as Housing Time on Raypower, Housing Development Programme on DAAR Communications AIT, and Housing TV Africa. These platforms aim to educate Nigerians on housing opportunities and policy issues.
In 2015, Adebayo co-organized the Canada-Nigeria Housing Expo in Toronto and participated in World Bank conferences on housing finance and land reforms.[7]
Advocacy and the Africa International Housing Show
edit
The Africa International Housing Show, founded by Adebayo, is the largest housing event [8] on the continent. The event attracts participants from various African nations and beyond, including government officials, policymakers, private sector leaders, and international organizations.
Through his work with HDAN Festus Adebayo Advocates Housing Reform. [9] , Adebayo has pushed for the adoption of policies that support affordable housing, collaborating with stakeholders such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Family Homes Fund Limited.
He was also the former spokesperson for the Minanuel Estate Subscribers Union in Abuja, Nigeria. In 2012, Adebayo boldly accused Members of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of land grabbing live on Channels Television.[10]
Publications
editAdebayo has contributed to research on housing challenges in Nigeria. His work, Issues, Challenges, and Prospects in the Housing Sector: Operator’s Perspective[11] , was published by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the Economic and Financial Review.
Life and Philanthropy
editAdebayo is married and has four children. He established the Festus Adebayo Foundation in his hometown of Ilesa, providing scholarships for students and support for the elderly. In Abuja, he has initiated training programs for artisans to promote youth development and job creation in the housing sector.
References
edit- ^ "Addressing housing affordability among low-income earners requires collaborative efforts—Adebayo". Business Day. 2023-07-23. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "AIHS will chart new path for housing development – CEO, Adebayo". Punch Newspaper. 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "HDAN hails FG on N250 billion support for housing". Vanguard (Nigeria). 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Vote for Housing-Friendly Governorship Candidates, HDAN Urges Electorate in Ondo". Housing TV Africa). 2024-11-15. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "AIHS convener, Adebayo, others bag NITP Honorary Fellowships". Nigerian Tribune. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Minister calls for accurate data to tackle housing deficit". The Nation. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "How can we be stronger together. Public and Private sector practitioners collaborating for a strong affordable housing sector in Africa". World Urban Forum. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ "18th Africa housing show will proffer practical funding solutions – Barr Adebayo". Media Trust. 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Group charges FCT Minister on inclusive land allocation, housing development". EnviroNews Nigeria. 2024-11-10. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Senators accused of land grabbing in Abuja". Channels Television. 2012-11-17. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Adebayo, Festus (2019). Issues, Challenges, and Prospects in the Housing Sector: Operator's Perspective. CBN Economic and Financial Review. 57(4), 95-103". Central Bank of Nigeria. 2019. Retrieved 2024-11-24.