The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development today marks the second anniversary of the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in office.
In a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Mark Chieshe, he noted that since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on August 22, 2023, the Minister has, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, spearheaded a historic reset of Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector, rolling out bold reforms and practical solutions that are tackling systemic challenges and delivering measurable results within record time.
According to the statement, one of the most pressing challenges 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, more than 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 preceding this administration. Notable 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 including Osun, Delta, Katsina, and Nasarawa.
He added that 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 so far transformed more than 150 communities nationwide with rehabilitated roads, drainages, clean water, solar electricity, schools, and healthcare centres.
Mr. Chieshe further highlighted that another major 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 expanded access to 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, he explained that 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—at affordable prices. Beyond providing shelter, the initiative is projected to generate over 2 million jobs, empower local economies, and spread development beyond major cities into rural and peri-urban communities.
Chieshe also observed that building houses is not enough without secure access to land. Currently, 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 aims to digitise registries, streamline approvals, and unlock more than $300 billion in dormant assets. This, he said, represents one of the most strategic and impactful initiatives that will accelerate the actualization of the Renewed Hope Target of a $1 trillion GDP for the country.
He further noted that the absence of credible, reliable data had long constrained effective housing delivery, with planning and investment decisions often made without evidence. To resolve 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, now at an advanced stage, is set to provide real-time insights to guide government policy, attract private investment, and support international partners. For the first time, Nigeria is building a modern, data-driven housing ecosystem where progress can be transparently tracked and decisions based on evidence.
On the challenge of spiralling building material costs, Mr. Chieshe said the Ministry has unveiled plans to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in all six geo-political zones. These hubs are expected to boost local production, reduce import dependence, cut costs by up to 25%, and create thousands of jobs in manufacturing and logistics.
He also drew attention to years of housing fraud and abandoned projects, which eroded public trust in government-backed housing schemes. To restore confidence, the Ministry has finalised the 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 recover billions of naira worth of encroached Federal Government land for redevelopment into housing and infrastructure projects.
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Mr. Chieshe acknowledged that 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 are to be trained as carpenters, plumbers, masons, and electricians and directly linked to housing projects nationwide.
He further disclosed that the Ministry has 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 and the World Bank will provide technical and financial support to scale housing and urban reforms nationwide.
Reflecting on the milestone, the Honourable Minister, Arc. Dangiwa, was quoted as saying:
“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, he concluded that the Ministry remains committed to scaling up delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of income or status, can aspire to own a decent and dignified home.
