Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation on affordable housing, sustainable urban development and climate-resilient cities.
Nigeria seeks to tackle a significant housing shortage and accelerate urban renewal initiatives across the country.
The commitment was renewed during a meeting in Abuja on Friday, between Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, and a delegation from the German Agency for International Development (GIZ), led by Dr. Karin Jansen, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy.
Darma described GIZ as a trusted development partner whose technical expertise and international experience could help Nigeria deliver on the housing and urban development objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister said; “We need to partner with you to actualise our mandates.
“We believe that working closely with GIZ will strengthen our capacity to provide affordable housing, promote sustainable urban development and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.”
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces a longstanding housing challenge, with millions of citizens lacking access to adequate and affordable accommodation.
While estimates of the country’s housing deficit vary, officials acknowledge that the demand for decent housing remains substantial.
Darma said that the government is committed to expanding access to affordable homes through the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, stressing that housing plays a broader role in economic and social development.
He said; “Our vision is to build houses that ordinary Nigerians can afford and proudly call home.
“Housing is not merely about providing shelter; it is about restoring dignity, promoting social inclusion and stimulating economic growth.”
The Minister disclosed that the Nigerian government aims to deliver 20,000 housing units annually, with approximately 15,000 units already at different stages of completion nationwide.
He also outlined plans for a nationwide Social Housing Scheme designed to reach every local government area in Nigeria.
The initiative will target low-income and vulnerable groups, including teachers, primary healthcare workers, persons with disabilities, young families and Nigerians in the diaspora seeking affordable housing opportunities.
Beyond housing construction, Darma highlighted an ambitious urban renewal programme intended to transform Nigerian cities into safer, more resilient and economically vibrant centres.
He said the government plans to begin the redevelopment of at least three major urban slums into modern and affordable communities before the end of 2026.
“The future of our cities depends on deliberate planning, sustainable infrastructure and inclusive development.
“Beyond constructing houses, we are building communities where people can live with dignity, access essential services and enjoy a better quality of life,” he explained.
The discussions come shortly after Germany and Nigeria concluded bilateral negotiations on development cooperation, during which both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in areas including sustainable economic growth, skills development, agriculture, healthcare, social protection, climate action and energy transition.
Jansen said many of those priorities closely aligned with the mandate of Nigeria’s Housing Ministry, particularly in the areas of sustainable urban development, integrated planning, resilient infrastructure and energy-efficient buildings.
He said; “We see strong linkages between our development priorities and the mandate of your Ministry.
“Germany has accumulated valuable experience in sustainable urban development, resilient infrastructure and climate-responsive planning. We believe there is significant potential to expand our cooperation and jointly deliver solutions that will improve the lives of Nigerians.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, described the engagement as another milestone in the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Germany.
He said that stronger collaboration could help address housing shortages while promoting inclusive and climate-smart urban growth.
“The partnership between the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and GIZ presents enormous opportunities to bridge Nigeria’s housing deficit, strengthen urban governance and promote sustainable development that benefits all Nigerians,” Belgore said.
The meeting ended with both sides pledging to strengthen cooperation through technical assistance, knowledge exchange, institutional capacity building and innovative development solutions aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s housing and urban development agenda.
