Sam Odia(OL) – Head Master’s Lecture

Housing the Poor in Nigeria 

The Head Master’s Lecture series brings exceptional thinkers, leaders and practitioners to Lancing to engage students with ideas that shape the contemporary world. Drawing on expertise from academia, global policy, science, the arts and industry, the series broadens horizons and models lives of curiosity, service and intellectual courage. Through these encounters, students are challenged to think deeply, connect ideas across disciplines, and see how education can lead to lives of purpose, enquiry and responsibility.  

The speakers this term follow a long line of experts covering a diverse and, at all times topical subjects, ensuring that all Lancing students can gain access to inspiring speakers, the very best in their area. Where possible, lectures are made available for a wider Lancing audience online and can be heard here. 

“Sam Odia OL deeply inspired students and staff alike in his lecture on his work developing affordable housing in Nigeria through the Millard Fuller Foundation. Under his tenure as CEO the foundation has been awarded the highly coveted Most Affordable Home Prize for four consecutive years and has constructed well over 1000 affordable homes.

“These buildings use simple designs to ensure their accessibility to economically disadvantaged and under-resourced populations. We were left in awe of the profound humanitarian impact of his career and the legacy he has left behind: through his faith driven leadership, his work has generated a wealth of job opportunities and targeted a population often sidelined by the architectural profession.

“The Millard Fuller Foundation has helped lift several generations of families affected by poverty into better living conditions, reminding the audience of how much power we all hold to do good in the world, a value deeply important to all within our school community.

“Mr Odia was enormously kind in answering a myriad of questions about his inspiration, future ambitions, the logistics of his work and the immense impact it is making on so many lives. We were honoured to have him back at Lancing, accompanied by his brother and son, themselves all OLs, and we felt hugely empowered by his fantastic and highly compelling talk.”

Kika (Lower Sixth Student) 

 Speaker Bio  

Sam Odia – CEO The Millard Fuller Foundation  

Sam trained as an architect and has been involved for more than 20 years in developing housing initiatives for the lower-end of the social pyramid. His experience spans Habitat for Humanity International & The Millard Fuller Foundation/ Fuller Centre for Housing where he led the Nigeria country programme of each organization.  He was inducted into the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame in 2021 for his contributions to the Nigerian housing sector.   

He has more recently been involved in affordable housing advocacy. His dream is to see every Nigerian living in a simple, decent & affordable home.    

Sam is committed Christian and was at Lancing College between 1975 and 1978. A keen sportsman, he represented the school in football, athletics and swimming. His brother, Ayo came after him to Lancing (1983-1988) as did his son, Seth between 2014 and 2015.