…Say skewed arrangement unfair, worrisome
By Maduka Nweke
Despite federal housing initiatives aiming for broader reach, concerns are mounting over skewed distribution.
According to experts’ observations, while 1,250 housing units are allocated across four northern states and others, several southern states, including Anambra, Imo, Edo, and Enugu, appear to be excluded.
The disparity has sparked public criticism, with Daily Sun’s vox populi indicating a perception of unequal resource allocation favouring certain states.
Commenting on the apparent imbalance in the allocation of housing projects, Mr. Anthony Okafor, a former legislator in Anambra State, expressed concern over the exclusion of certain South-East states from the Federal Government’s housing initiatives. He noted that despite the nationwide presence of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), many South-Eastern states have yet to benefit from its interventions. According to him, the core objective of establishing FHA offices across all geopolitical zones is to drive down property prices and enhance affordability for citizens.
Citing Anambra as an example, Okafor suggested that the Federal Government could take proactive steps by acquiring land currently under dispute between communities and establishing federal housing projects there. “Doing so would achieve two key outcomes,” he explained. “First, it would help resolve long standing communal conflicts over land ownership. Second, it would create much-needed housing and improve access to accommodation for residents in those areas.”
“It seems that the South-East is marginalised in every aspect of the Nigeria project. You will never see the federal government doing anything in the East. Any time they want to do anything, it is only when they are tired of serving other zones. “That does not show unity; rather, it shows total discrimination, meanwhile, most of the things used in such projects may come from the area or nearby areas. It is very bad.”
His comments reflect a wider sentiment of dissatisfaction, particularly as the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development unveiled a fresh housing initiative that, once again, appears to prioritise states outside the South-East.
Under the first phase of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project, the ministry commenced the construction of 1,250 housing units in four northern states; Katsina, Kano, Yobe, and Gombe. The project, part of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, was officially launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2024 with a flagship 3,112-unit development in Karsana, Abuja.
Mrs. Monica Osaghae, Managing Director of Efe Enterprises Ltd, added her voice to the growing chorus of concerns.
She believes the persistent marginalisation has eroded the belief in a unified Nigeria.
“A greater number of Nigerians are no longer interested in the unity of the country. Those who are interested are those benefiting from it,” she said. “Those who are not benefitting will continue to cry why the government looks the other way. The moment those benefiting stop benefiting, you see them crying and seeking separation. I think the solution is to make the Presidency rotational on zonal levels so no one will blame the other for marginalisation.”
The federal government, however, maintains that its new housing drive is a long-term national programme designed to address housing shortages across all regions.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated that the groundbreaking ceremonies in the north commenced after the conclusion of contract agreements and the mobilisation of trusted developers. The rollout began on May 22 in Katsina and continued through to Gombe by May 25.
According to the Minister, these 1,250 units mark only the beginning of a broader, more inclusive national plan.
“We are determined to deliver on our commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by turning the country into a massive construction site and unlocking the potential of the housing sector. These 1,250 housing units in Katsina, Kano, Yobe, and Gombe mark the beginning of a broader nationwide effort,” Dangiwa said.
He further revealed that since December 2023, the ministry had awarded contracts for the construction of an additional 3,500 housing units across 13 states under the 2023 supplementary budget. These include 500 units in Kano and 250 units each in Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Benue, Osun, Oyo, Abia, Ebonyi, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.
Providing details on the design and layout, the Minister explained that the Renewed Hope City in Kano consists of 100 one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 300 two-bedroom bungalows, and 100 three-bedroom bungalows. Similarly, the housing estates in Katsina, Yobe, and Gombe each feature 50 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom, and 50 three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows. The units are designed for flexibility, with room for expansion as the financial capacity of beneficiaries improves. “Beneficiaries can initially acquire a one-bedroom unit and later expand to two or three bedrooms as their financial situation improves,” Dangiwa said.
He added that the housing programme is expected to serve as a catalyst for job creation, estimating that each unit will generate 25 direct and indirect jobs. With 1,250 units underway, the current phase alone is projected to create approximately 31,250 jobs, offering opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour, while stimulating local economies and benefitting surrounding communities.
To further support accessibility, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria will provide a variety of financing options. These include single-digit interest rate mortgages with up to 30-year repayment plans and rent-to-own schemes that allow beneficiaries to move into their homes while making monthly, quarterly, or annual payments. Outright purchase options will also be available for higher-income earners.
Dangiwa explained that the N50 billion allocated to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the 2023 Supplementary Budget financed the current projects. He assured that states not captured in this initial phase would be included in subsequent stages, beginning with the 2024 budget cycle. “The states not included in this phase would be covered under the 2024 budget as part of the broader Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which aims to serve all regions of Nigeria,” he said.
Still, critics argue that if inclusivity is a genuine goal, then the roll-out of projects should reflect national balance from the start—not as an afterthought. For many in the South-East, the latest developments have done little to address a long-standing sense of being left out of the national equation. The conversation around equitable development, regional fairness, and the unity of the country continues to be both urgent and unresolved.