Minister Unveils Nigeria’s Agenda for Affordable Housing, Urban Development

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has unveiled progress on President Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” an ambitious plan aimed at addressing Nigeria’s critical housing and urban infrastructure challenges.

The minister revealed this at the 13th National Council on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, held in Gombe, North East Nigeria.

Mr. Dangiwa said the government had since last year launched significant initiatives, including the construction of over 10 thousand housing units across 14 sites in Nigeria, saying the programme is aimed at delivering affordable housing options tailored to diverse income levels, particularly for low-income Nigerians.

He said such a move would also advance urban development and land reform.

According to him, the Ministry’s achievements over the past year have surpassed those of the last eight years combined, with projects under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, advancing across the country.

The minister said the programme spanned across states like Yobe, Nasarawa, and Lagos, including a 250-unit estate with affordable one- to three-bedroom homes.

Similarly, he said the Ministry was planning new developments under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and direct government funding to balance the affordability gap.

He highlighted a new focus on expanding government financing in the housing sector, particularly given that the current 100 billion naira annual budget falls short of the 5.5 trillion naira required to meet the yearly housing demand of 550,000 units.

The Ministry also launched partnerships with the World Bank to overhaul Nigeria’s land registration system, aiming to register the country’s vast untitled land, to unlock an estimated 300 billion dollars in untapped capital, empowering citizens to leverage land as an economic asset.

The land reforms also introduced fair compensation rates for crops and economic trees affected by government projects, marking the first update in 18 years.

According to the minister, the council has concluded discussions with a call for national synergy and commitment to support the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially with Nigeria’s rapidly growing urban population.

He said the Ministry envisioned essential, economical, vibrant, and climate-resilient cities.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who felt honoured to host the 13th Council Meeting, underscored the urgent need for climate-resilient, affordable housing to address Nigeria’s massive 28 million-unit housing deficit.

He highlighted how critical it was for Nigeria to mobilize resources to meet SDG 11, which is geared toward having safe, inclusive cities and communities for sustainable urban development at the forefront.

Governor Yahaya particularly praised President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme,” which plans to build 100,000 housing units over three years, and expressed gratitude for the inclusion of Gombe as a pilot state.

“Already, 250 units are underway, bringing housing, economic opportunities, and jobs to local communities. The state has also been chosen as the Building Materials and Manufacturing Hub for Nigeria’s northeast, a move expected to drive regional economic growth,” Governor Yahaya said.

Despite the progress, the governor acknowledged ongoing challenges, including rapid urbanization, funding constraints, and low-quality materials, calling for collaborative efforts at all government levels to address these issues.

Governor Yahaya, therefore, called for further innovation in construction materials and land processes, hoping the council’s deliberations would lead to impactful solutions for affordable housing and sustainable urban development nationwide.