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The Federal Government is partnering with Japanese construction firm Chodai Company Limited to deliver affordable housing and critical infrastructure in Nigeria, with a percentage of the housing units reserved for vulnerable women and children as part of efforts to address the country’s housing deficit.
Speaking during a meeting with the Japanese construction firm, facilitated by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Muttagha Darma, said Chodai Company Limited is a Japanese infrastructure construction and engineering consultancy firm.
He described the partnership as indispensable to achieving the Federal Government’s housing objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the ministry remains open to collaborations that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians through sustainable housing and infrastructure development.
“We are ready for partnership. The ministry is embarking on an ambitious social housing programme that will provide affordable homes for Nigerians across the country. We welcome investors and development partners who share our vision of making decent housing accessible to every Nigerian,” the minister stated.
The minister disclosed that the proposed Social Housing Programme will be implemented across the 774 local government areas of the federation, ensuring that affordable housing reaches communities in every part of the country.
According to the minister, the initiative is designed to address Nigeria’s housing deficit by providing decent, affordable and accessible homes, particularly for low- and middle-income earners who are unable to afford housing.
He noted that the programme will also incorporate a gender-based inclusion initiative through which a dedicated percentage of housing units will be reserved for vulnerable women and children.
“The reality in many developing countries is that women and children are among the most vulnerable members of society. Our Social Housing Programme will deliberately make provisions for them to ensure they have access to safe and decent accommodation,” he said.
Darma further explained that the programme would also cater for other vulnerable groups, including persons displaced by natural disasters such as flooding, as well as victims of insecurity, banditry and insurgency.
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The minister also told the visiting delegation that the ministry is working closely with relevant government agencies to strengthen flood mitigation measures and improve urban resilience ahead of future rainy seasons, particularly in flood-prone communities across the country.
The minister commended Chodai for its confidence in Nigeria and its commitment to public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives.
In a statement, the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, said the minister encouraged the company to extend its project to Niger State by considering the development of a local government area close to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noting that such a project would provide quality housing opportunities for many residents and workers within the Abuja metropolis.
“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investors. Strategic partnerships such as the one proposed by Chodai are essential to delivering sustainable housing, modern infrastructure, economic growth, and improved living standards for Nigerians,” he remarked.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Motoko Imai, said smart city development through public-private partnerships (PPPs) remains one of Chodai’s strategic priorities.
She explained that Chodai, based in Tokyo, has successfully delivered infrastructure projects in several countries across Asia and Africa and is currently implementing development projects in partnership with the Niger State Government.
Accordingly, she said the company’s proposal to the ministry focuses on collaboration in the development of roads, housing infrastructure, hydropower generation, renewable energy and other strategic projects that will support Nigeria’s urban development aspirations.
She expressed the company’s commitment to bringing its extensive technical expertise, innovative engineering solutions and global experience to support Nigeria’s housing and infrastructure transformation.
