The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable housing for its workforce in order to enhance service delivery and improve the quality of life for employees. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration policy objectives, prioritizing the welfare of civil servants.
The Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), Hajija Salamatu Ladi Ahmed, gave the assurance in Abuja during her site inspections of the ongoing housing projects of the Board while also calling for more intervention to accelerate ongoing housing projects across the country.
While expressing satisfaction with the progress of the projects especially in Dukpa Gwagwalada site, which features 20 units of 3-bedroom apartments nearing completion, the Executive Secretary reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to delivering quality and affordable homes to civil servants.
“I am impressed with the quality of materials and the pace of work. We expect the estates to be ready for commissioning by June this year,” Ahmed stated.
Stressing the affordability of the homes, Hajiya Salamatu noted that federal public servants can easily access the houses as the prices are tailored to civil servants’ budgets. However, she emphasized that funding limitations remain a major obstacle.
“We are only able to execute these projects in phases due to limited funding. To meet the growing demand and expand to other states, we urgently need more financial support,” she appealed.
The Executive Secretary also pointed out the challenges faced by many civil servants who reside far from their workplaces due to high rent in Abuja, resulting in heavy transportation costs and financial strain. Ahmed explained that while the Board relies solely on annual government budget allocations, attempts to secure private sector funding have not materialized due to high-interest rates, which are unaffordable for civil servants earning modest salaries.
“A 10-15% interest loan is not feasible for a level 8 civil servant earning just over ₦100,000 monthly. Through our scheme, loans are offered at just 3% interest, with convenient salary deductions”, she noted.
Highlighting the importance of land availability in reducing construction costs, Ahmed commended the provision of free land in Gwagwalada and called on other states to follow suit to enable wider access to affordable housing, stating: Every federal government worker deserves a decent home. With better funding, we can make this a reality for more civil servants across the country.
Other houses inspected by the Executive Secretary included the Kuje prototype project, which comprises 48 units of 2-bedroom flats, six 3-bedroom flats, and six duplexes The Karachi project in Nasarawa boasts 45 units comprising 3-bedroom flats, 2-bedroom flats, and semi-detached bungalows.
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board urges the government to prioritize increased funding to accelerate ongoing projects and expand to other states. By providing affordable housing, the government aims to improve the quality of life for civil servants and enhance service delivery.
Signed
Obiechina Ngozi
Head, Information, and PRU
April 11, 2025
