NEWS UPDATE

The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, shortly after arriving on the inaugural flight from Abuja to the newly completed Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport.

During the meeting, the Minister commended Governor Abiodun for his visionary and transformative leadership of Ogun State, particularly lauding the world-class Airport Project as a landmark achievement that reflects the Governor’s commitment to modern infrastructure and regional economic growth.

In his response, Governor Abiodun praised Arc. Dangiwa for the bold reforms and impactful initiatives being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, noting that the Minister’s leadership is repositioning the housing and urban development sector as a major catalyst for investment, job creation, and national prosperity.

Belgore Inaugurates Staff Recognition Award Selection Committee, Assures Enhanced Service Delivery 

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‎ * Says initiative will inspire greater productivity, commitment, excellence among staff
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In order to ensure institutionalization of a transparent and merit-driven reward and recognition system for staff performance, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, has inaugurated the Departmental Award Selection Committee (DASCO).
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‎The Permanent Secretary,  Dr. Shuaib  Belgore in his remarks, stated that the establishment of DASCO was in compliance with the directive from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to MDAs 
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‎ “ The HCSF mandates all MDAs to set up and inaugurate DASCOs in their respective institutions to institutionalize a transparent and merit-driven reward and recognition system for best performing staff ” he said.

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‎Dr. Belgore emphasized that staff motivation is crucial for improved service delivery, organizational harmony, and the realization of the core mandate of the ministry in the housing and urban development sector. He added that promoting a culture of excellence among the staff will drive higher productivity, commitment, and professionalism.

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‎The committee is charged with  the responsibilities to; develop and apply objective criteria for the nomination and selection of deserving staff for awards; ensure transparency, fairness, and merit in the screening and recommendation process.

Other committee's responsibilities are; to promote inclusiveness by ensuring representation across all grade levels, cadres, and units; and submit monthly/quarterly reports to the Staff Welfare Unit of the Human Resource Management Department for collation and onward submission to the OHCSF for monitoring.

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Dr ‎Belgore noted that members of the Committee were carefully selected based on their integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public service values.

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‎“ You are expected to uphold the highest standards of fairness, objectivity, and confidentiality in carrying out this assignment. The credibility of our reward and recognition framework rests on the impartiality of your work,” he stated.

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‎Earlier, in his address, the Director of Human Resources Management, Dr Akinola Adeshina, underscored the importance of establishing DASCO in the Ministry, and commended the Permanent Secretary for providing an enabling environment for the committee’s work.

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‎" This inauguration demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Permanent Secretary to ensuring the Ministry’s mandate of providing enhanced service delivery is achieved,” he noted.
 

WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS AT THE FOURTEENTH (14TH) MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HELD IN ILORIN INNOVATION HUB, AHMADU BELLO, G.R.A, ILORIN, KWARA STATE ON 19TH JANUARY, 2026

Protocols.

It is my singular honour and pleasure to warmly welcome you all to the Fourteenth (14th) Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, holding here at the Kwara Innovation Hub, Ilorin, Kwara State. I convey the goodwill and best wishes of the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

2.    This Council Meeting represents the highest policy advisory platform in Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector. Its convening underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue, cooperative federalism, and evidence-based policymaking aimed at addressing the nation’s housing and urban development challenges. I therefore extend a special welcome to Honourable Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, State Surveyors-General, representatives of professional and regulatory bodies, academia, the military and paramilitary organisations, and all other key stakeholders in the built environment.

3.    Distinguished participants, the theme of this year’s Council Meeting—“Achieving Housing Delivery and Sustainable Cities through Effective Land Management, Urban Renewal, Promotion of Local Building Materials, and Public–Private Partnerships in Nigeria” is both timely and strategic. It reflects the urgent need to respond holistically to the pressures of rapid urbanisation, population growth, climate concerns, and the widening housing deficit across the country.

4.    Over the next few days, this Council will engage in a carefully structured programme designed to ensure robust technical engagement, policy coherence, and actionable outcomes. The Meeting formally commenced with the arrival and registration of delegates, followed by the Technical Sessions of Directors, which are taking place over two days. These sessions provide the critical foundation for the Council, as Directors deliberate extensively on sectoral issues, review memoranda, assess implementation progress of previous Council decisions, and refine policy proposals for higher-level consideration.

5.    This will be followed by the Meeting of Permanent Secretaries, where the outcomes of the Directors’ deliberations will be further examined, harmonised, and strengthened from an administrative and inter-governmental coordination perspective. The climax of the programme will be the Council Meeting proper, to be attended by the Honourable Minister and Honourable Commissioners from across the Federation, where key policy decisions, resolutions, and strategic directions for the housing and urban development sector will be collectively adopted.

6.    The thematic focus of this Council has been carefully articulated around eight critical areas, namely: policy formulation and implementation; institutional strengthening; effective land management and administration as a foundation for sustainable housing delivery; national land policy and governance frameworks for inclusive urban growth; promotion of local building materials and technologies; urban renewal and regeneration; public–private partnerships as catalysts for housing and infrastructure delivery; and innovative financing and investment strategies for sustainable housing development. These thematic areas are expected to guide discussions, shape memoranda, and inform the resolutions of the Council.

7.    Distinguished colleagues, it is important to reiterate that the National Council is not merely a forum for discussion but a critical instrument for policy direction and implementation. The success of government policies ultimately lies in effective execution, and this responsibility rests significantly on Directors and senior officials at both federal and state levels. As custodians of policy implementation, your technical input, professional judgment, and institutional leadership are essential in translating Council decisions into programmes and actions that deliver tangible benefits and lasting succour to our citizens.

8.    The requirement for States and stakeholders to submit memoranda aligned with the theme of the Council, as well as status reports on the implementation of decisions reached at the 13th Council Meeting in Gombe, is therefore central to ensuring continuity, accountability, and measurable progress within the sector. These inputs enrich deliberations and enable the Council to take informed decisions grounded in practical realities.

9.    As we engage over the coming days, I encourage all participants to contribute constructively, share experiences and best practices, and propose pragmatic, implementable solutions that align with our institutional mandates and regulatory frameworks. Let our deliberations be guided by a shared commitment to reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit, strengthening land governance, revitalising our cities, and improving the quality of life for all Nigerians.

10.    Once again, I warmly welcome you all to Ilorin and to this important Council Meeting. I wish us fruitful deliberations, meaningful engagements, and successful outcomes.

Thank you for your attention, and I wish you a pleasant stay in Kwara State.

WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AT THE MINISTERIAL RETREAT ON PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HELD AT SANDRALIA HOTEL, JABI, ABUJA – 3RD JULY, 2025

Protocol:

The Honourable Minister,

The Honourable Minister of State,

The Permanent Secretary,

Directors and Heads of Departments and Units,

Esteemed Resource Persons,

Distinguished Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this Ministerial Retreat on the Performance Management System (PMS), convened in accordance with the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, as outlined in the circular of 11th March, 2025.

This retreat is a critical platform for consolidating our collective resolve to institutionalize a performance-driven culture across the Ministry. The PMS is not merely a procedural obligation, it is a transformational framework for aligning individual, departmental, and institutional output with Ministerial priorities and national development goals.

In the past year, the Ministry has recorded remarkable progress in embedding the PMS. Among the key milestones achieved are:

1. The successful cascading and signing of the 2024 Performance Contracts from the institutional to the individual level;
2. The development and tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) directly tied to Ministerial Deliverables;
3. The conduct of quarterly performance reviews with timely reports submitted to the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU); and
4. The consistent observance of PMS Day, as mandated by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, fostering accountability and continuous tracking of outcomes.

These efforts have created a strong foundation for the 2025 cycle. Accordingly, this retreat seeks to:

1. Review our 2024 performance to identify critical success factors and constraints;
2. Agree on performance expectations and KPIs for 2025;
3. Facilitate the signing of the 2025 Performance Contracts across all levels;
4. Develop actionable Individual Development Plans to address capacity gaps; and
5. Reaffirm our readiness for seamless monitoring and timely quarterly reporting, as required.

It is important to reiterate that non-compliance with PMS guidelines, as emphasized by the Head of Service will attract sanctions. We are firmly in the era of accountability and result-based management. The business-as-usual approach is no longer acceptable.

Permit me at this juncture to specially acknowledge and commend the Honourable Minister for his visionary leadership and unwavering drive in repositioning the Ministry as a key enabler of affordable and accessible housing across the nation. His bold reforms and strategic initiatives have continued to inspire impactful programmes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Equally, I wish to appreciate the Honourable Minister of State for his strong policy support and active engagement in the implementation of the Ministry’s mandates. His commitment to inclusive development and results-based governance has significantly bolstered the Ministry’s reform trajectory.

I must also sincerely commend the Permanent Secretary for his exemplary administrative leadership, dedication to performance management reforms, and consistent support in ensuring the timely delivery of Ministerial priorities.

Furthermore, I acknowledge the strategic guidance of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, for championing the implementation and oversight of the Performance Management System across the Federal Public Service.

Distinguished colleagues, the responsibility of sustaining and building on this momentum lies with each one of us. I urge you to approach this retreat with open minds, constructive engagement, and a shared commitment to innovation and service excellence.

Let us work together to ensure the 2025 PMS cycle is implemented not only efficiently but in a manner that sets new standards for performance in the public service.

I wish us all a productive and impactful retreat.

Thank you and God bless.