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By Maduka Nweke
Stakeholders in the built environment have knocked the National Assembly for providing a lean budget for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, yet expecting the ministry to perform magic.
Mr. Obiora Okeke, a property developer in Lagos, criticised the legislators for approving mere N97.1 billion for the Ministry’s personnel, overhead and capital expenses that will care for the provision of housing to the whole 36 states of the federation and Abuja.
“The National Assembly budgeted N97.1 billion for Housing and Urban development, N6.5 billion for the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and N2.4 billion for the School of Survey in Oyo state. We forget that both the Surveyor General Office and the Federal School of Survey in Oyo are under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. With this lean budget, our housing deficit will continue to swell,” he said.
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In the same vein, the Managing Director, Efe Enterprises, Mrs. Monica Efe Osaghae complained that the Legislators are not considering what will favour the general masses. “These people did not go there to protect our interest; rather, they fought for their purses. I don’t know why our leaders are so selfish. When they are seeking election, they will be cool like ice water, but when they get elected, they become lions and don’t care what happens to the electorate. I think Nigerians need a revolution of the brain to enable us to think better for the general public.
“The house the Ministry is building is not spread because they will tell you they are waiting for this budget or that one. And if they decide to build, it will be very selective. Except there are more they are not telling us, for the National Assembly to ask for an increase of funding for the Ministry when they are the ones that give allocation, baffles people like me. The Ministry on its own should be proactive in what projects they carry and stop being selective. There are states in the Federation that don’t know that the Ministry exists and that they carry out housing projects. It is too bad and that is why people say corruption has eaten into the fabrics of the nation. The earlier we stop selective attention, the better for Nigeria because every state needs the housing projects,” she stated.
Recently, the National Assembly called for increased and sustained funding for the housing sector, recognizing its critical role in economic growth, job creation, and national development. The position was expressed during the 2026 budget defense of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development before the Senate and House of Representatives Committees. The Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development is chaired by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, while the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, and was chaired by Abdulmumin Jibrin. During the session with the Senate Committee, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to supporting policies and funding mechanisms that will strengthen housing delivery nationwide.
“Housing delivery remains central to national development, and the Senate will continue to support initiatives that expand access to affordable homes and strengthen urban infrastructure,” he stated. He urged the Ministry to sustain close engagement with the Committee to ensure effective implementation of programmes and optimal utilisation of appropriated funds. At the session with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, Chairman Abdulmumin Jibrin emphasised the strategic importance of housing to Nigeria’s economy and national development. “Housing must be prioritised on the government’s agenda because of its multi-dimensional impact on the economy. The sector creates jobs for various skilled workers and stimulates activity across multiple value chains,” he stated.
Jibrin further disclosed that his consultations with relevant government funding institutions indicate a shared understanding that the housing sector remains underfunded and requires increased investment to strengthen delivery capacity and maximise its economic impact. He assured the Committee’s readiness to support initiatives that will expand affordable housing supply and improve living conditions for Nigerians. Earlier, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, led the Ministry’s management team alongside the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Ata; the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore; and Directors of the Ministry to present the Ministry’s 2026 budget proposals. The Minister explained that the Ministry’s priorities in the 2026 budget are designed to consolidate ongoing projects, sustain momentum, and ensure continuity in housing delivery and urban infrastructure development nationwide.
