Housing Accessibility and Workforce Productivity among Civil Servants in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Nigeria

Adequate housing is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of sustainable urban development and an important determinant of workforce productivity. However, in many Nigerian secondary cities, housing accessibility for public sector employees remains inadequately integrated into urban planning, resulting in long commuting distances, poor residential conditions, and reduced organizational efficiency. Despite its policy relevance, empirical evidence on the relationship between housing location and civil service productivity remains limited. This study examined the influence of housing accessibility, commuting patterns, and residential quality on the productivity of civil servants in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was adopted, involving a proportionate stratified survey of 204 civil servants, physical assessments of 30 residential buildings, and spatial analysis of residential locations relative to government workplaces. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, Chi-square test, and spatial proximity assessment. The results showed that 79.9% of respondents resided outside Ikot Abasi LGA, with extended commuting distances significantly associated with absenteeism (χ² = 42.18, p < 0.001) and lower workplace productivity (r = 0.712, p < 0.001). Building assessments further revealed that 70% of the housing stock was physically obsolete, while 76.7% lacked adequate natural ventilation, reducing residential liveability and discouraging local occupancy. The study concludes that housing accessibility is a significant determinant of workforce productivity and should be incorporated into local housing and urban planning policies. It recommends a spatially integrated rental-based civil service housing model within a 2 km radius of the Local Government Secretariat to reduce commuting burdens, improve employee productivity, and promote sustainable urban governance in Nigeria's coastal secondary cities.