By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Nigerian housing terrain is rapidly growing and evolving, accompanied by new policies and dynamics.
To this end, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has expressed the Federal Government’s readiness to work with states in addressing the issue of unregistered lands, noting that more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s land remains unregistered to date. This percentage represents an estimated $300bn in untapped capital. Dangiwa disclosed this while speaking during a meeting with state commissioners responsible for lands and housing matters at the 13th National Council on Housing, Lands and Urban Development in Gombe State.
The Minister informed participants at the council meeting of the Federal Government’s intentions and readiness to work with state governments to register, document, and title all land parcels, clarifying and securing land ownership to unlock development and investment. He also revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is set to partner with the World Bank to modernise land administration within the country by developing a National Land Digital System to optimise land transactions, to enable transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. Dangiwa added that the digital initiative would bring about solutions to the long-standing challenges currently faced in the land registration process. It will also boost economic activity within the sector and enhance property rights protection, increasing formal land transactions from less than 10 per cent to over 50 per cent within the next 10 years.
According to him, this pivotal decision would tackle the challenges obstructing effective and efficient land registration in Nigeria. He said both parties were finalising the operational framework and investment commitment for the initiative. In his words, “The system will serve as a comprehensive, accessible digital registry, enabling Nigerians to verify land ownership securely and efficiently, further affirming that by enhancing transparency and reducing fraud, the NDLS will increase investor confidence and unlock up to $300bn in untapped economic potentials related to land and property.
“By ensuring clarity, security, and accessibility in land ownership and transactions, the country is laying a foundation for increased investment, both domestic and international. Transparent land administration would enhance property rights, reduce conflicts, and encourage sustainable land use practices, which together foster a stable environment for economic activities.” On the issue of rapid urbanization in Nigeria, the Minister explained that steps to address the issue have been outlined in the National Urban Development Policy awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), adding that the policy is designed to create resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart cities across Nigeria. He informed participants that Africa now has an Africa Urban Forum, which was recently held in Addis Ababa, noting that all African Member Countries, including Nigeria at the forum, agreed to organize an Annual National Urban Forum in the declaration.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, to bring about transformation in urban spaces for the benefit of Nigerians. He directed delegates to begin the process of domesticating the Africa Urban Forum in Nigeria by organizing the Annual National Urban Forum in line with the Addis Ababa declaration, where leaders and professionals in the housing sector will meet to discuss Nigeria’s Urban Agenda for Nigeria. He concluded by highlighting that the goal is to provide a framework that guides long-term sustainable growth, addressing not just housing and infrastructural needs but also one that establishes the foundation for economically vibrant, climate-resilient, and inclusive cities. According to Dangiwa, the ministry is advancing the construction of over 10,000 housing units across 14 locations nationwide, highlighting the role of Public-Private Partnerships in accelerating housing delivery, especially for middle- and high-income earners. He revealed that the ministry has also acquired land in Enugu and Borno states to develop about 2,000 units of Renewed Hope Cities under a PPP arrangement, noting that planned locations for additional cities include Nasarawa and Rivers States with 2,000 units each. He explained that the goal is to establish at least one Renewed Hope City in each geo-political zone and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Housing Minister, while focusing on the government’s efforts to provide affordable housing for low-income Nigerians, urged all commissioners to encourage their state and local governments to allocate a substantial portion of their revenues to affordable housing delivery. He pointed out that PPPs alone cannot deliver affordable housing for the majority of Nigerians, given that the high costs of private-sector construction financing drive up prices as developer’s payment of the loan is double-digit. Dangiwa also affirmed that the ministry, in collaboration with the World Bank, has introduced a new compensation framework for individuals affected by land acquisition. According to him, this updated system will address the 18-year gap in compensation policy.