…………..Bold Reforms, Tackling Systemic Housing and Urban Development Challenges.
The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development today marks the second anniversary of the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in office. Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on August 22, 2023, Arc. Dangiwa has in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda led a historic reset of Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector, rolling out bold reforms and practical solutions that are directly tackling systemic challenges and delivering results in record time.
One of the most pressing problems has been Nigeria’s housing deficit, conservatively estimated at over 17 million units. In response, the Ministry launched the Renewed Hope Housing Programme (REHHP), a three-tier model comprising Cities, Estates, and Social Housing. In just two years, over 10,000 housing units have been commenced across 14 states and the FCT—an unprecedented pace compared to the 3,500 units delivered in the eight years before this administration. Flagship projects include a 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja; a 2,000-unit City in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos; a 1,500-unit City in Kano with an additional 500-unit estate; and 250-unit estates in twelve states ranging from Osun and Delta to Katsina and Nasarawa.
Linked to the housing deficit is the challenge of deteriorating slums and decaying urban infrastructure. To reverse decades of neglect, the Ministry has implemented the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme (NURSUP), which has already transformed more than 150 communities nationwide with rehabilitated roads, drainages, clean water, solar electricity, schools, and healthcare centres.
Another obstacle has been the weakness of Nigeria’s mortgage and housing finance system, which for decades made homeownership unaffordable for most Nigerians. Under President Tinubu’s directive, reforms of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) have strengthened and expanded single-digit mortgages, zero-down-payment rent-to-own schemes, and innovative public-private partnership models that have mobilised over ₦70 billion in private capital for housing delivery.
For low-income and vulnerable Nigerians, who have historically been excluded from the housing market, the Ministry’s proposed Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme represents a bold new response. Its target is to deliver 77,400 affordable homes—100 in each of the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria with an affordability based pricing model. Beyond shelter, this initiative is expected to generate over 2 million jobs, empower local economies, and spread development beyond major cities into rural and peri-urban communities.
But building homes is not enough without secure access to land. Today, over 96% of land in Nigeria remains untitled and undocumented, locking away billions in potential wealth as “dead capital.” To address this, the Ministry is working with stakeholders to implement the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (Land4Growth), which will digitise registries, streamline approvals, and unlock more than $300 billion in dormant assets. This represents the most strategic and impactful initiative that would accelerate the actualization of the Renewed Hope Target of a $1Trillion Dollar GDP for the country.
Another gap that long constrained effective housing delivery in Nigeria was the absence of credible, reliable data. Planning and investment decisions were often made in the dark. To fix this, the Ministry led efforts with industry stakeholders to establish the National Housing Data Centre (NHDC) Project —a centralised digital repository of housing, land, and urban development data. The NHDC is at advanced stage of providing real-time, evidence-based insights to guide government policy, attract private sector investment, and support international partners. For the first time, Nigeria is building a modern, data-driven housing ecosystem where progress can be tracked transparently and decisions made on solid evidence
Equally critical has been the spiralling cost of building materials, which pushes homeownership further out of reach. The Ministry’s response has been a bold plan to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in all six geo-political zones. These hubs would boost local production, reducing dependence on imports, cutting costs by up to 25%, and creating thousands of manufacturing and logistics jobs.
Years of housing fraud and abandoned projects also eroded public trust in government-backed housing schemes. To restore confidence, the Ministry has finalized a Housing Fraud Reporting Platform (HFRP) to enable citizens to report fraudulent developers and schemes. In addition, the Safeguarding FG Lands Initiative, launched with the Nigeria Police, will lead to the recovery of billions of naira worth of encroached Federal Government land for redevelopment into housing and infrastructure projects.
At the same time, the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector has been a major barrier to quality and timely housing delivery. Through the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP – CraftHub), thousands of young Nigerians would be trained as carpenters, plumbers, masons, and electricians and directly linked to housing projects nationwide.
To sustain momentum, the Ministry has also deepened partnerships with international development finance institutions. A landmark agreement with Shelter Afrique Development Bank will finance 5,000 affordable homes, while collaborations with UN-Habitat, World Bank would see the channeling technical and financial support to scale housing and urban reforms across the country.
Reflecting on this milestone, Arc. Dangiwa said: “We inherited a housing sector riddled with systemic challenges. In just two years, through the support of Mr. President and our partners, we have rolled out strategic programmes that are delivering results. We are not just building houses; we are building hope, dignity, and prosperity for millions of Nigerians. And we are only just beginning.”
As the Honourable Minister marks his second year in office, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to scaling up delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of income or status, can aspire to own a decent and dignified home.
Signed
Mark Chieshe
Special Assistant, Media & Strategy
Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development
