SOCIO-ECONOMIC & DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS OF ACCESS TOHOUSING LOAN SCHEMES AMONG THE OLDER PERSONS IN NIGERIA

Background--It is unknown how socio-demographic variables impact on access to housing loan schemes among the older persons in Nigeria. This has become essential in order to improve the preparation for old age among Nigerians. Reliable information is also required to formulate comprehensive social security system for the elderly. Quantitative data was collected through individual-based questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select local government areas, enumeration areas and individuals for the study. In all, 810 respondents were interviewed. Family size, type of family, education and living arrangement are significantly related to access to housing loan scheme. In the male model, with the exception of family size and religion, all the characteristics are insignificantly associated with access to housing loan scheme. In this model, while those with 1-3 children are 1.7 times more likely, those with more than 6 children are 22 percent less likely to have benefited from housing loan scheme than those with 4-6 children. With respect to religion, those who are traditionalists are 65 percent less likely to have benefited from housing loan scheme than the Muslims. The idea that old-age security and well being in Nigeria should remain the primary responsibility of the family is untenable. Government must assume the primary responsibility in a partnership in which the family also continues to play a significant role.