Nigeria dedicates 50th house, looks ahead to more

On Sept. 22, after just three years of operation, The Fuller Center Nigeria dedicated its 50th house. It is the first international Fuller Center covenant partner to achieve this milestone.

Click here to read a story about a new homeowner, reunited with his family.

"We are glad to have completed our 50th house," Bukkie Aderinto, Program Administrator for FCH Nigeria, said. Future goals include fundraising and growth.

"We see FCH Nigeria expanding its work and vision with partners all over the country, and the emergence of local covenant partners," Aderinto said.

The homes are in a housing development named Fuller Center Estate, which is located outside of Nigeria’s capital city Abuja, in a town called Luvu-Madaki. The ultimate goal is to have 80 of these one-bedroom units there.

Fuller Center President David Snell was pleased about the accomplishment and excited to keep moving forward.

"Nigeria is a place of great need and great promise and our goal is to build as many houses as possible in the Abuja area to alleviate the housing crisis there," he said.

According to Snell, many people who hold service or other jobs in Abuja can’t afford to live there. He said the city is “beautiful,” but the cost of living is high. Many work there and then set up makeshift homes in slums outside the city.

"The families have jobs, have income," Snell said, "there’s just no housing available that’s affordable."

FCH Nigeria has also begun raising some of their own funds for building initiatives. Aderinto said it’s been a challenge, but they continue to try new techniques. Every month or so the staff puts out a newsletter and sends it to potential donors.

"We are now targeting individuals and not only companies to raise money," Aderinto said.

An aspect of the long-term plan that’s unique to FCH Nigeria is a system by which the one-bedroom homes can serve as a stepping stone. Eventually (as quickly as funding is available) larger housing units will be built and families can move into a larger home by paying off the mortgage on their first home.

"We are hoping that as their financial status improves, they will have sufficient funds to pay off the cost of their current homes and buy bigger homes, especially homeowners with large families," Aderinto said. This will keep the smaller units open for other families in need.

To help keep the work of FCH Nigeria moving, donate to the cause. And if you’d like to see the FCH Nigeria and its 50 homes for yourself, and help build more, click here to find out how.