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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The federal government has mobilised over N70 billion to drive large-scale urban housing developments across the country, leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a core financing strategy.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, who made this known at the opening ceremony of the 19th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, reaffirmed the presidential agenda centered around bridging Nigeria’s housing deficit through bold, inclusive and innovative reforms.
“The federal government is committed to addressing the housing gap at scale and sustainably. This N70 billion mobilisation under PPPs is a clear demonstration of that resolve,” Dangiwa said.
The minister highlighted key interventions by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), including the Rent-to-Own Scheme and the Rental Assistance Product, which are designed to reduce the housing burden on urban workers and young families. He also announced the upcoming launch of the Ministry of Finance Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), a financing vehicle to expand access to long-term mortgage loans at affordable rates.
Dangiwa unveiled a State-by-State Homeownership and Housing Development Campaign that will partner with state governments, private developers, and development agencies to close policy execution gaps at the sub-national level.
“We will embed Housing Reform Champions in state governments, convene state housing roundtables, and provide hands-on support to structure viable housing projects and unlock financing opportunities,” the minister explained.
He further reiterated the ministry’s commitment to urban renewal and slum upgrades, aligning with the UN-Habitat Global Action Plan and the Addis Declaration on Inclusive Urban Development.
“Housing is not a privilege. It is a right. When we invest in housing, we invest in people, jobs, cities, and our collective future,” Dangiwa declared, calling on development finance institutions, donor agencies, and the private sector to translate the ideas shared at AIHS into tangible results for Nigerians.
The minister lamented that affordability remains the single biggest barrier to homeownership on the continent.
“Across Africa, millions of families still cannot afford decent homes even when they are available. This administration is not just building houses; we are fixing the structural and macroeconomic foundations that will make housing truly affordable and sustainable for Nigerians today and in the future,” he said.
He emphasised that the Federal Government’s three-tier Renewed Hope Housing Programme – comprising Renewed Hope Cities, Renewed Hope Estates, and Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates – provides a clear blueprint for delivering affordable homes nationwide.
The 19th Africa International Housing Show is expected to attract thousands of participants and exhibitors from across Africa and around the world, serving as a strategic platform for dialogue, partnership-building, and showcasing innovative solutions to Africa’s housing challenges.
