This paper assesses the role of government in the provision of housing infrastructure in Makurdi metropolis from 1928 – 2015. The paper recognises the fact that Makurdi is not the only metropolis with housing deficit in Nigeria but given the abundant availability of natural resources required to sustain the housing sector in and around Makurdi, there is the need to interrogate the government’s efforts at providing the housing needs within the metropolis.

The paper relied on the analysis of oral interviews, archival documents as well as published and unpublished secondary sources of information. The findings showed that efforts by government towards providing housing facilities in Makurdi can be traced to the colonial period and that, there is a wide gap between government pronouncements regarding the housing sector and what is actually achieved.

The paper also observed that plans for the housing sector often presented by government are unrealistic more so as there is lack of political will and the foresight to guarantee success. Indeed, lack of implementation which is usually blamed on non-availability of funds was identified as the major problem affecting housing delivery in Makurdi metropolis.

In order to address the quantitative and qualitative housing challenges in Makurdi, the paper suggest among other measures, the adoption of more feasible rather than pleasant programmes and more accountability on the part of government as well as the enhancement of private – public partnership in the housing sector.