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Perception of Homeowners Towards Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Housing Developments in Nigeria
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Building Materials / Low-Cost Housing
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719634
Abstract
Nigeria faces a persistent housing deficit exacerbated by rapid urbanization, population growth, and rising costs of conventional building materials. Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSBs) offer a sustainable, affordable alternative, yet their adoption remains limited. This study investigated homeowners' perceptions towards ISSB housing developments in Nigeria, examining awareness, perceived advantages and disadvantages, factors influencing acceptance, and willingness to adopt. A quantitative cross-sectional survey of 385 homeowners was conducted across Lagos and Abuja, utilizing stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed significant disparities in awareness and perceptions between ISSB residents and conventional housing residents. While 67.4% of ISSB residents were aware of the technology, only 20.9% of sandcrete residents demonstrated similar awareness. ISSB residents rated advantages significantly higher across all attributes (p<0.001), with environmental sustainability (Mean=3.98), affordability (Mean=3.79), and thermal comfort (Mean=3.74) ranked highest. Conversely, cultural stigma (Mean=3.05), social status concerns (Mean=3.05), and structural integrity concerns (Mean=3.10) emerged as significant barriers among non-ISSB residents. The regression model explained 52% of variance in acceptance (R²=0.52), with awareness emerging as the strongest predictor (β=0.28), followed by perceived affordability (β=0.16) and durability (β=0.14). Only 36.5% of sandcrete residents would consider purchasing ISSB housing compared to 77.7% of ISSB residents. The study concludes that addressing non-technical barriers, particularly awareness deficits and cultural stigmatization, is essential for promoting wider ISSB adoption. Recommendations include comprehensive awareness campaigns, demonstration projects, government certification frameworks, and financial incentives to accelerate adoption of this sustainable housing technology.
Keywords
Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks, Homeowners' Perception, Affordable Housing, Sustainable Construction, Nigeria, Diffusion Of Innovation Theory
References
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How to cite this paper
@article{1719634,
author = {Obafemi Ibitoye, Opeyemi Asaju; Adeyemi Oluwaranti; Afolabi Omotolani, Agboola Samuel; Arigbede Toluwanimi; Awogbade Inioluwa, Dawodu Oluwateniola; Nyekazi Chimzarum; Odubena Samuel, Olanrewaju Dominion; Lanre-Bamodu Ayomiposi Moranu; Ofuani Jones Ogochukwu; Osoare Oluwasegun Oladipupo},
title = {Perception of Homeowners Towards Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Housing Developments in Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {3181-0},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719634.pdf},
abstract = {Nigeria faces a persistent housing deficit exacerbated by rapid urbanization, population growth, and rising costs of conventional building materials. Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSBs) offer a sustainable, affordable alternative, yet their adoption remains limited. This study investigated homeowners' perceptions towards ISSB housing developments in Nigeria, examining awareness, perceived advantages and disadvantages, factors influencing acceptance, and willingness to adopt. A quantitative cross-sectional survey of 385 homeowners was conducted across Lagos and Abuja, utilizing stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed significant disparities in awareness and perceptions between ISSB residents and conventional housing residents. While 67.4% of ISSB residents were aware of the technology, only 20.9% of sandcrete residents demonstrated similar awareness. ISSB residents rated advantages significantly higher across all attributes (p<0.001), with environmental sustainability (Mean=3.98), affordability (Mean=3.79), and thermal comfort (Mean=3.74) ranked highest. Conversely, cultural stigma (Mean=3.05), social status concerns (Mean=3.05), and structural integrity concerns (Mean=3.10) emerged as significant barriers among non-ISSB residents. The regression model explained 52% of variance in acceptance (R²=0.52), with awareness emerging as the strongest predictor (β=0.28), followed by perceived affordability (β=0.16) and durability (β=0.14). Only 36.5% of sandcrete residents would consider purchasing ISSB housing compared to 77.7% of ISSB residents. The study concludes that addressing non-technical barriers, particularly awareness deficits and cultural stigmatization, is essential for promoting wider ISSB adoption. Recommendations include comprehensive awareness campaigns, demonstration projects, government certification frameworks, and financial incentives to accelerate adoption of this sustainable housing technology.},
keywords = {Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks, Homeowners' Perception, Affordable Housing, Sustainable Construction, Nigeria, Diffusion Of Innovation Theory},
month = {July},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719634}
}