The Nigerian Government and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have reiterated their commitment to working closely to promote sustainable housing and urban development across the country.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqa Darma, gave the assurance when he received a delegation from UN-Habitat, led by its Director of the Regional Office for Africa, Oumar Sylla, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Darma commended UN-Habitat for its consistent technical support to the Ministry and several state governments, particularly acknowledging the organisation’s valuable contributions to the review of the National Urban Development Policy.
He highlighted the importance of urban renewal in enhancing socio-economic development and reducing insecurity in the country’s cities, adding that issues relating to slum mapping and urban planning would receive serious attention.
READ ALSO: Ministry Unveils Unified Housing Delivery Framework
The Minister also called for continued collaboration in the areas of sustainable urban planning, affordable housing delivery, climate resilience, urban renewal, capacity building and the implementation of the National Urban Development Policy.
He expressed hope that UN-Habitat would continue to support the Ministry in mobilising technical expertise, international best practices and development partnerships that would advance the Renewed Hope Agenda in the housing and urban development sector.
On Nigeria’s outstanding financial obligation under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Minister assured the delegation that, despite the country’s current fiscal realities, the Ministry had remained actively engaged with the relevant authorities to facilitate the release of the funds.
He also explained that the Ministry remained committed to fulfilling the obligation.
Darma further assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s commitment to retaining and strengthening UN-Habitat’s presence in Nigeria, noting that the organisation remained an important partner in the country’s efforts to deliver sustainable housing and improve urban development outcomes.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would continue to yield lasting benefits for Nigerians through better housing, sustainable cities and inclusive urban development.
Speaking earlier, the Director of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Africa, Oumar Sylla, congratulated the Minister on his appointment and described Nigeria as a key partner in advancing human settlements and sustainable urbanisation across Africa.
He briefed the Minister on UN-Habitat’s ongoing activities in Nigeria, including programmes aimed at expanding access to affordable housing, improving land management, strengthening urban transformation, providing basic services and supporting durable solutions for displaced persons, particularly in the North-East.
Sylla also highlighted the organisation’s growing collaboration with states such as Niger, Yobe, Adamawa and Katsina, noting that recent engagements had produced encouraging results. He commended the Katsina State Government for its development efforts.
He appealed for the Ministry’s continued support for UN-Habitat’s programmes and emphasised the need to resolve Nigeria’s outstanding financial obligation under the Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the continued operation of the organisation’s Country Office in Nigeria.
The Regional Director for Africa also encouraged Nigeria to participate in the forthcoming High-Level Political Forum, scheduled to be held in New York, United States, describing it as an important opportunity to advance the country’s urban development priorities and deepen international collaboration.
