Nigeria’s housing sector received a major boost as the National Assembly signalled firm legislative backing for expanded funding and policy support during the 2026 budget defence of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
At separate sessions with lawmakers, both chambers of the National Assembly underscored housing as a strategic driver of economic growth, employment generation and urban transformation, pledging to strengthen budgetary allocations to accelerate delivery nationwide.
The Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, chaired by Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, reaffirmed the Upper Chamber’s readiness to support initiatives that deepen access to affordable homes and improve urban infrastructure.
According to Senator Tambuwal, housing remains central to national development and must be treated as a priority sector. He emphasised sustained collaboration between the Ministry and the Committee to ensure effective implementation of programmes and prudent utilisation of appropriated funds.
Similarly, the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, led by Abdulmumin Jibrin, described housing as a high-impact economic sector with multiplier effects across construction, manufacturing, skilled labour and allied value chains.
Hon. Jibrin noted that engagements with key funding institutions revealed a shared concern that the housing sector remains underfunded relative to its economic potential. He stressed that increased investment would not only expand affordable housing supply but also stimulate job creation and strengthen domestic production capacity.
Earlier, the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, presented the Ministry’s 2026 budget proposal alongside the Minister of State, Permanent Secretary, and senior management officials.
The Minister explained that the 2026 fiscal plan is structured to consolidate ongoing reforms, complete legacy projects, and sustain momentum in housing delivery and urban infrastructure development across the country.
2026 Strategic Priorities
A central focus of the budget is the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which targets the delivery of 4,000 housing units across 15 state capitals, including Osun, Oyo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Katsina, Sokoto, Gombe, Kano and Yobe.
The Ministry also prioritised:
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Completion of National Housing Programme projects in over 20 states and the FCT.
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Construction of an additional office block at its Mabushi headquarters in Abuja.
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Completion of Federal Secretariats in Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Osun States.
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Completion of additional Secretariats in Abia, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kogi and Taraba States.
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Rehabilitation of 28 Federal Secretariats nationwide.
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Operationalisation of Building Crafts Training Schools in Yaba, Lagos State, and Ikeduru, Imo State.
Special Funding Requests
Beyond core capital projects, the Ministry sought special funding interventions to address outstanding obligations under MDGs/SDGs projects, Zonal Intervention Projects, Special Projects Unit mandates, urban renewal commitments and physical development planning initiatives.
Additional requests include funding for on-site infrastructure such as roads, drainage and utilities to support Public-Private Partnership housing developments, as well as expansion of the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme across all 36 states and the FCT.
The engagement ended with a shared commitment between the Ministry and lawmakers to deepen collaboration, strengthen financing mechanisms and position the housing sector as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and national development.
