The Nigerian Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, have met to strengthen collaboration and enhance their respective ministerial deliverables.
During the meeting, hosted by Dangiwa and attended by the Permanent Secretaries—Dr Shuaib Belgore (Housing) and Mrs. Tinuke Watti (Regional Development)—both ministers emphasized the importance of inter-ministerial cooperation to maximize efficiency and avoid duplication of efforts.
Dangiwa expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the benefits of idea-sharing and resource optimization
“With this type of collaboration, we can exchange ideas and leverage certain privileges that one ministry has, finding ways to enhance our ministerial deliverables,” he stated.
He commended the Regional Development Ministry for its efforts in constructing over 1,000 housing units and encouraged deeper cooperation to ensure built environment professionals from the Housing Ministry contribute expertise in design, cost evaluation, and project execution.
Dangiwa reiterated the Housing Ministry’s mandate to provide affordable housing, as well as to oversee urban renewal and development. He revealed that within two years, the Ministry had successfully executed over 100 slum upgrade and urban renewal projects across Nigeria, covering water supply, drainage, roads, sanitation, street lighting, and interventions in schools and hospitals.
On housing projects, he detailed the Renewed Hope Cities Initiative, which includes blocks of flats, duplexes, and terraces planned for each geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Currently, we have commenced in Abuja, where Mr. President graciously did the groundbreaking for 3,112 houses funded under PPP. We have another 2,000-unit project in Lagos and 2,000 units in Kano,” he explained.
For the Renewed Hope Estates, the Ministry aims to construct 250 units of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom flats in each of the 30 remaining states, strategically located across two sites per geopolitical zone.
Additionally, the National Social Housing Program targets low-income earners, vulnerable groups, and underprivileged citizens, with a plan to build at least 100 houses in every local government area across the country.
Dangiwa emphasized that housing construction is a significant job creation driver. With over 10,112 ongoing housing projects, he projected at least 250,000 jobs, assuming 25 jobs per unit.
He also assured Minister Ahmadu that staff of the Regional Development Ministry could benefit from the Housing Ministry’s projects.
Earlier, Minister of State Uba Maigari Ahmadu highlighted that the creation of the Regional Development Ministry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed to drive development at the grassroots level through development commissions.
Recognizing housing as a core objective, he stressed the need for alignment with the Housing Ministry.
“We need to collaborate with the Housing Ministry through our development commissions to avoid duplication of projects,” Ahmadu stated.
He referenced an ongoing 1,000-unit housing project in Mafa LGA, Borno State, noting that such projects would benefit from a joint approach between both ministries.
Ahmadu further explained that his ministry, through its commissions, is focused on urban renewal, infrastructure development in select cities, smart housing solutions, and innovative financing models.
The Permanent Secretary Dr. Shuaib Belgore welcomed Minister Ahmadu and his delegation, expressing optimism that their interaction would lead to a productive partnership benefiting Nigerians.
Comments are closed.