Nigeria To Provide 77,400 Free Housing Units For Vulnerable Citizens

The Nigerian Government says plans are underway to provide free housing units to 77,400 vulnerable Nigerians across all 774 local government areas, under its proposed National Social Housing Fund.

The initiative, which aims to generate N1.2 trillion through voluntary monthly contributions of N5000 each from Nigerians, is awaiting legislative approval to become active.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this while addressing State House Correspondents in a session of a Meet the Press briefing held at the State House in Abuja.

He revealed that the special housing program aims to provide homes free of charge to the most vulnerable in the Nigerian society.

Dangiwa added that this is part of President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

“The National Social Housing Fund is going to be on the ground. We have done all our groundwork. The report is ready, and we have written letters to all stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, to ensure we have their backing before presenting it to the Federal Executive Council,” Dangiwa said.

Funding Mechanism

The Minister explained that the funding mechanism, which he said will be voluntary contributions from at least 10% of Nigeria’s population—approximately 20 million people will engage contributors to donate N5,000 monthly over a year, amounting to N60,000 per person.

“If 10% of Nigerians can contribute N5,000 monthly, that’s N60,000 annually. Together, we will generate N1.2 trillion. This amount can build 100,000 houses, but we only need 77,400 homes—100 per local government—to meet our target,” Dangiwa explained.

The homes, which will include two and three-bedroom units, will be valued at approximately N10 million each, the minister said, assuring that the fund would prioritize transparency and accountability to earn the trust of contributors.

“We don’t want to enforce this on Nigerians. If you know these houses will be delivered and you have the will, I’m sure many Nigerians will contribute more than N60,000, even at a go, to support the vulnerable and under-privileged in their local government,” he said.

Dangiwa further stated that the initiative forms part of the administration’s broader housing strategy, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Renewed Hope Estates programs, which focus on urban and state-level housing developments.

He identified the role of the National Social Housing Fund, saying it will fund more housing projects in rural and local government areas to facilitate inclusivity.

Dangiwa called for support for the initiative, emphasising that it would only become a reality when the National Assembly passes the enabling legislation.

“This is the framework we are about to bring up, and we need the buy-in of everybody. Once approved, it’s going to be done.

“If implemented, the program could mark a significant milestone in addressing housing inequality and supporting Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.”

Over 250,000 Jobs, Housing Units

The Minister also made known that the federal government has created over 252,000 jobs and launched the construction of 10,000 housing units under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are focused on providing accessible and affordable housing for all Nigerians,” Dangiwa stated.

The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, a centerpiece of this effort, spans 14 active construction sites and includes 12 estates with 250 housing units each.

Larger urban projects are ongoing in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos, with plans to build at least one Renewed Hope City in every geopolitical zone.

Beyond housing construction, the programme’s economic impact is significant.

“At an average of 25 jobs per housing unit, we have directly and indirectly created over 252,800 jobs across the country.

“Workers, earning daily wages of ₦5,000, often make monthly incomes well above the national minimum wage, contributing to economic stability and reducing crime.” 

“The Ministry has also introduced affordable homeownership schemes to expand access to housing. Through the National Housing Fund (NHF), Nigerians can access loans of up to ₦50 million at a 6% interest rate with a repayment period of up to 30 years.

“A Rent-to-Own scheme offers another pathway, allowing contributors to pay for homes over three decades without initial equity.

“These are life-changing pathways to homeownership,” Dangiwa said, emphasizing accessibility.

Dangiwa also disclosed that a Renewed Hope Online Housing Delivery Portal has been launched, empowering citizens to apply for housing units directly, with over 47,000 registered users and 1,000 completed applications so far.

He however said that funding remains a challenge, with the 2023 supplementary budget allocating ₦50 billion to the Renewed Hope Estates and ₦27.2 billion proposed for 2024.

Public-private partnerships have also attracted over ₦40 billion for projects, such as Karsana Renewed Hope City, backed by a ₦100 billion guarantee from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

The Minister also mentioned that meeting 550,000 units in Nigeria’s annual housing deficit requires more support.

“We are advocating for a minimum annual housing budget of ₦500 billion starting in 2025,” he said, adding that the proposal has garnered support from the National Assembly.

The Minister further affirmed the administration’s broader goals saying that the federal government is not just undertaking building projects but rearing jobs and building hopes as well as economic opportunities.

“We are not just building houses; we are building hope, jobs, and economic opportunities,” he said. “Our mission is to create a Nigeria where every citizen can aspire to a decent home and a thriving urban environment.”

The Ministry’s efforts reflect its commitment to tackling the housing crisis while driving economic and social transformation across the country.