Beyond the Façade: Unravelling the Drivers of Dissatisfaction Among Residents of Public Housing in Ibadan, Nigeria

Despite extensive research identifying diverse determinants of residential satisfaction, limited evidence exists on the context-specific drivers of dissatisfaction in Nigerian Public Housing (PH) and on how these drivers relate to the gap between residents’ actual housing conditions and their aspirations, as proposed by Galster’s actual– aspirational gap theory. This study focuses on PH in the Oyo State Housing Corporation (OYSHC)), Nigeria, in the Global South (GS). A total enumeration of all housing units within selected estates ensured comprehensive population coverage. Of 718 copies of questionnaire distributed, 508 valid responses were obtained, representing a 70.8% response rate. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, multiple regression, and factor analysis were employed for data analysis. Findings reveal that 75.4% of residents were educated, 54.9% were homeowners. Yet, 51.4% of residents, who were mainly tenants, reported dissatisfaction, their reasons were mainly poor housing quality and weak estate management. In addition, the study found that age, education and household density rather than income, tenure and other known factors explained dissatisfaction this time. These results highlight the need for resident-centered housing design, and targeted improvements on housing quality and management to enhance satisfaction and support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. In addition, it has implications for policy, first to the authorities of OYSHC and also to housing authorities across Africa and the GS. A Theoretical Model of Architectural Design: