Dangiwa Champions Adequate Housing as Catalyst for Poverty Reduction, Job Creation and Climate Action at UN-Habitat Assembly

The Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has called on global leaders to prioritize housing as a strategic tool for tackling poverty, creating jobs, and accelerating climate action.

Speaking at the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Adequate Housing for All during the resumed second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 to 30 May 2025, the Minister presented Nigeria’s ambitious, people-focused housing reforms as a model of inclusive and sustainable urban development.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s support for the 2026–2029 UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, Dangiwa commended the Executive Director, Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, for placing adequate housing, the transformation of slums and informal settlements, and access to basic services at the heart of the Plan’s vision.

“Nigeria believes that adequate housing policies are among the most powerful tools for reducing poverty, creating jobs, strengthening climate resilience, and driving post-crisis recovery,” Dangiwa stated.

He outlined the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which targets the delivery of 50,000 homes in its first phase, with 10,112 housing units already under construction across 14 states and the FCT. This has created over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, with the potential for much more.

To meet national housing needs and keep pace with population growth, he noted that Nigeria requires to build at least 550,000 homes annually—an effort that if executed sustainably could generate up to 13.7 million direct and indirect jobs each year thus turning a problem into an opportunity for job creation and poverty eradication. This potential for catalyzing national growth, he said, firmly positions housing as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic renewal strategy.

He also highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates initiative, which aims to build 100 homes in each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, totaling 77,400 homes. This is projected to create over 1.9 million jobs and stimulate rural economies.

On affordability, the Minister emphasized that low-income households would not pay more than one-third of their income toward a social housing home, with the government absorbing the balance through targeted subsidies, tax incentives, and bulk procurement. In addition, 30% of the homes will be allocated free of charge to the most vulnerable Nigerians.

He underscored the transformational impact of the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, which has already delivered over 150 completed projects, with more than 100 ongoing. These interventions, the Minister noted, provide clean water, sanitation, access roads, solar street lighting, and improved public facilities to underserved communities.

“When aligned with social equity, economic inclusion, and climate goals, housing becomes more than shelter—it becomes a catalyst for national development and human dignity,” Dangiwa said.

He concluded by affirming Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with UN-Habitat and other Member States to scale these solutions globally.

The resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly—the world’s highest decision-making body on sustainable urbanization and human settlements—brings together 193 UN Member States, alongside UN entities, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth, women, grassroots organizations, and more.

The Assembly features over 1,200 delegates, including 42 ministers, 14 deputy ministers, and 8 governors and mayors.