Roots & Roofs: Diaspora Voices

  Introduction Onyinye Treasure Chikezie, hailing from Anambra State but born in Kaduna, has made significant strides as a distinguished figure in Nigeria's male-dominated architectural space. Surrounded by three sisters and one brother, she thrived in a creative environment influenced by her father's imaginative prowess. Initially considering Geology as an educational path, Onyinye later recognized her true passion lie in architecture. With determination and resilience, she overcame obstacles prevalent in a predominantly patriarchal field to become a professional celebrated for her intelligence, creativity, and inventiveness. Overcoming Prejudice: While discussing the trials and tribulations inherent in her rise to prominence, Onyin ye poignantly addressed the issue of gender discrimination: "I faced challenges of discrimination, albeit the narrative is gradually shifting. Occasionally, clients question my abilities and express reluctance in entrusting projects to a ...

Question: Can you share your thoughts on owning a home in Nigeria? Is this something you’re looking to do within the next 3 – 5 years? Answer: It’s something I will be willing to do for investment purposes. Question: If you were to buy a home in Nigeria, What option would you use, Outright Purchase (Paying the full Amount), Developer Payment Plans (A structured payment plan with 0% interest but is usually short term), or Mortgages (Paying over a long period with interest) Answer: I will be looking at both developer payment plans and a mortgage, especially if I could access my NHF contributions. Question: What are some obstacles or concerns you think exist or have heard diasporan Nigerians talk about when it comes to buying a house in Nigeria? Answer: Two main concerns emerge: trust and fraud. People fear losing money to unreliable agents or companies and struggle to access NHF funding transparently. Large initial deposits requested by some developers present another hurdle. Improvi...

  Question: Can you share your thoughts on owning a home in Nigeria? Is this something you’re looking to do within the next 3 – 5 years? Answer: Yes, I am. I am interested in real estate and buying a new home in Nigeria within the next 2 - 3 years.   Question: If you were to buy a home in Nigeria, what option would you use, Outright Purchase (Paying the full Amount), Developer Payment Plans (A structured payment plan with 0% interest but is usually short term), or Mortgages (Paying over a long period with interest) Answer: I would prefer a mortgage because I can put down a comfortable amount as a deposit and spread the remaining payments over a long period.   Question: What are some obstacles or concerns you think exist or have heard diasporan Nigerians talk about when it comes to buying a house in Nigeria? Answer: The integrity of the home. I want well-structured homes that are beautiful. Having a comfortable payment plan with a controlled interest r...

  Question: Can you share your thoughts on owning a home in Nigeria? Is this something you’re looking to do within the next 3 – 5 years? Answer: I am looking to purchase for investment purposes within 5 years, however the lack of trust, and transparency with home ownership, makes me apprehensive. I want to have a stake in the Nigerian real estate market, it is an objective of mine. Question: If you were to buy a home in Nigeria, What option would you use, Outright Purchase (Paying the full Amount), Developer Payment Plans (A structured payment plan with 0% interest but is usually short term), or Mortgages (Paying over a long period with interest)  Answer: Mortgage Payment. It is much more flexible. Having lived in Canada for a while, I have seen the benefits of spreading out my payments. Instead of tying your cash down, you can spread your payment and achieve multiple things rather than one thing. A developer option is expensive. And purchasing outright is even more expensiv...

  Question: Can you share your thoughts on owning a home in Nigeria? Is this something you’re looking to do within the next 3 – 5 years?  Answer: I would love to own a home in Nigeria within the next 3-5 years, mainly because it is my country of origin and it will be fulfilling to show my country to my family from abroad. Owning a home will make travel plans to Nigeria more convenient, having everything you will need in one place will be a very satisfying feeling, it will make me feel more confident about traveling home Question: If you were to buy a home in Nigeria, What option would you use, Outright Purchase (Paying the full Amount), Developer Payment Plans (A structured payment plan with 0% interest but is usually short term), or Mortgages (Paying over a long period with interest)  Answer: A structured payment plan i think will work best for me because if it is interest free and structured to my financial state,...