In a nation regarded as Africa’s giant, overflowing with life and an abundance of natural resources, a critical need remains unmet. Nigeria continues to battle with the issue of housing deficit, threatening the nation’s economic growth and stability. However, to tackle this challenge, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed plans to source funds from fuel subsidy removal as well as profits from the windfall tax to build houses for all those without income, the low-income earners, the homeless, vulnerable, and underprivileged citizens of the society.
Dangiwa revealed this when the President and Chairman of the Committee on Construction Projects and Infrastructure of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Section on Business Law, Andrew Osemedua Edum, paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja.
According to him, plans are already in progress for National Social Housing Funds to mobilize, administer and allocate affordable, decent, and accessible houses for all those who do not have an income, the low-income earners, the homeless, vulnerable, and underprivileged in the society.
Dangiwa stated that the ministry under his watch is committed to driving historic housing reforms by increasing access to affordable housing for all Nigerians across all groups and income brackets, adding that the reform task teams included the housing institutions reform task team, the land reform task team, and the building materials manufacturing hub. He noted that their reports would soon be ready for implementation to drive the housing sector.
The minister, who revealed that 80 per cent of Nigerians are low-income earners, explained that the four housing sector reform task teams initiated by the ministry upon his assumption of office were meant to position the ministry in better conditions to deliver its Presidential mandate of increasing the stock of affordable housing for Nigerians.
In his words, “The only way to make a sustainable difference is for all the key players in the housing value chain to be reformed, work optimally, and deliver their mandates. It is not enough to build houses but to have a system that will work efficiently and deliver results practically and maximally.”
Dangiwa also expressed that the ministry is ready to partner with the Committee on Construction Projects and Infrastructure of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and all other relevant bodies to see to the success of the initiative.
The minister also explicitly noted that there is going to be a checklist in order to monitor and prosecute any building collapse in Nigeria.
On his part, the President and Chairman of the NBA-SBL Committee, Andrew Osemedua Edum, SAN, said that the delegation came on the visit to seek institutional collaboration with the ministry. He also invited the minister to attend the second national conference on construction projects and infrastructure as a guest to deliver a keynote address at the conference, which is to be held in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Dangiwa reaffirmed the housing ministry’s commitment to providing affordable housing for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel under the National Housing Programme (NHP).
He gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and a delegation of senior NAF officers to the ministry in Abuja.
In a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, the minister highlighted the importance of supporting the Air Force’s efforts to secure the nation by ensuring its personnel have access to suitable housing.
He emphasized that the Ministry, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, is dedicated to offering affordable housing options to all Nigerians, including military personnel.
Dangiwa highlighted that “As the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, we recognize the importance of providing suitable housing for members of the Nigerian Air Force. We assure our commitment to working with you towards meeting the needs of our Air Force.”
The Minister further detailed the ongoing efforts under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates program, to deliver 50,000 affordable housing units across Nigeria in its first phase. He noted that the key locations include 3,112 units in Abuja, 500 units in Kano, and 1,500 units in Lagos, all of which are under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
According to him, the construction is currently underway in 12 locations nationwide, with developments spread across the geopolitical zones. He added that “the program offers various purchase options to make homeownership accessible, including outright purchase, rent-to-own, instalment payments, and mortgage loans with single-digit interest rates over a 30-year period.”
In response to the Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Hassan Abubakar’s request for the National Housing Program units in Bauchi, Dangiwa expressed the ministry’s readiness to offer the entire estate to the Nigerian Air Force at a discounted rate, with the option of instalment payments.
He directed the Permanent Secretary to coordinate a joint assessment tour of the Bauchi site to speed up the acquisition process, assuring that the discount would cover necessary repairs to dilapidated units.
The minister also responded positively to the Air Force’s appeal for their Investment Limited Housing and Construction Company to be considered for future procurement bids, acknowledging the company’s track record in civil works and housing construction.
Abubakar praised the housing Minister for the progress made under his leadership and emphasized the importance of securing affordable housing for both active and retired Air Force personnel. He also stressed that such welfare initiatives would significantly enhance the operational readiness and morale of the force.
Both parties further agreed to collaborate to ensure that military personnel have access to quality, affordable housing across the country.