Housing Ministry Recognises,  Celebrates Outstanding Staff Members    * Recognition Award strengthens service delivery - Perm Sec   In line with acknowledging and honoring dedication to service, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has recognized and awarded some outstanding staffers from different departments for their exceptional performances, hard work and commitment to effective service delivery.   The colourful award ceremony which was presided by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore took place at the Conference hall of the Ministry and had the Directors and Heads of Departments of the Ministry, as well as members of staff in attendance     Dr. Belgore, in his remarks noted that the purpose of the award ceremony was to strengthen service delivery, adding that staff good qualities were among the parameters for selection in addition to perfirmances    He refered to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Award given to one of the Ministry’s staff, and encouraged other Staff to work towards receiving more of such recognitions that would put the Ministry on the limelight.   Dr. Belgore informed that the Civil Service awards is an innovation which is part of staff welfare, recognizing hard working staff in delivering the mandate of the Ministry to make housing affordable for Nigerians and reduce housing deficit in the country.   “ You all in your own little space can make a difference, never minding what another person is doing”, he said.   Accordingly,  he explained that the Ministry’s monthly award for best staff from each department, would culminate in an annual award; “we are going to have awardees every month and at the end of the year, we would aggregate all awards and bring one person as the overall best staff in the Ministry, as well as overall best staff at the departmental level ”, he explained.   While commending the Director of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department for excellent works, he announced that the Ministry would also institute best department awards, as well as the best director, with handsome rewards attached   The Permanent Secretary further informed that aside the staff recognition award, staff members can also win an innovation award by bringing new ways and ideas to drive the system forward.   “The rewards for this are just as big in the overall civil service consideration as that of recognition of staff performance, you can win a house, a car and plenty of money, I want to go and celebrate my staff there”, he remarked.   Dr. Belgore thanked the awardees for what they do for the Ministry and Nigeria at large, especially at a time that the country is going through rough times, adding that the awardees would be given training priority, capturing them in the first batch upon commencement when funds are available.   Earlier in her remarks, the Head of, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Ibifuro Philips-Ogoniba reteirated that the monthly staff recognition is a reminder that hard work and commitment are not just good habits, but are building blocks of effective service delivery.    While noting that meaningful reforms starts with personal discipline, professionalism and commitment to support others, she stated that each awardee has shown a clear commitment to value which directly improves the ministry's function.    She congratulated the awardees, commending them for setting a standard and dedication to both their departments and ministry, further encouraging others to be inspired by the staff recognition, and strive for excellence in various departments and the nation at large.   Mrs Philips-Ogoniba also emphasized that the innovative idea for Staff of the month predates the Service Wide Award which has been expanded into four categories namely: staff of the month, mentorship, best dressed and most punctual.    She informed that the award ceremony is in line with the OHCSF directive, through which awards will be rerouted henceforth and domiciled at the Ministerial Award Selection Committee (MASCO) chaired by Director of Human Resources Management department.   Speaking on behalf of the awardees Dr. Ibrahim Kogbe, who was the winner of the EPIC award for the 2025 International Civil Service Day, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the ministry for recognizing their efforts through the Staff of the Month award celebration.   He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for his leadership, support and encouragement, and thanked the management for creating a culture that celebrates excellence.   Dr. Kogbe further affirmed the commitment of the awardees to keep giving their best to service.   “This recognition is not just an award; it is a strong motivation for us to keep giving our best to the service of our nation". He said. ...

Dangiwa Marks 2 Years in Office   * Bold Reforms, Tackling Systemic Housing and Urban Development Challenges   The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development today marks the second anniversary of the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in office. Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on August 22, 2023, Arc. Dangiwa has in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda led a historic reset of Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector, rolling out bold reforms and practical solutions that are directly tackling systemic challenges and delivering results in record time.   One of the most pressing problems has been Nigeria’s housing deficit, conservatively estimated at over 17 million units. In response, the Ministry launched the Renewed Hope Housing Programme (REHHP), a three-tier model comprising Cities, Estates, and Social Housing. In just two years, over 10,000 housing units have been commenced across 14 states and the FCT—an unprecedented pace compared to the 3,500 units delivered in the eight years before this administration. Flagship projects include a 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja; a 2,000-unit City in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos; a 1,500-unit City in Kano with an additional 500-unit estate; and 250-unit estates in twelve states ranging from Osun and Delta to Katsina and Nasarawa.   Linked to the housing deficit is the challenge of deteriorating slums and decaying urban infrastructure. To reverse decades of neglect, the Ministry has implemented the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme (NURSUP), which has already transformed more than 150 communities nationwide with rehabilitated roads, drainages, clean water, solar electricity, schools, and healthcare centres.   Another obstacle has been the weakness of Nigeria’s mortgage and housing finance system, which for decades made homeownership unaffordable for most Nigerians. Under President Tinubu’s directive, reforms of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) have strengthened and expanded single-digit mortgages, zero-down-payment rent-to-own schemes, and innovative public-private partnership models that have mobilised over ₦70 billion in private capital for housing delivery.   For low-income and vulnerable Nigerians, who have historically been excluded from the housing market, the Ministry’s proposed Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme represents a bold new response. Its target is to deliver 77,400 affordable homes—100 in each of the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria with an affordability based pricing model. Beyond shelter, this initiative is expected to generate over 2 million jobs, empower local economies, and spread development beyond major cities into rural and peri-urban communities.   But building homes is not enough without secure access to land. Today, over 96% of land in Nigeria remains untitled and undocumented, locking away billions in potential wealth as “dead capital.” To address this, the Ministry is working with stakeholders to implement the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (Land4Growth), which will digitise registries, streamline approvals, and unlock more than $300 billion in dormant assets. This represents the most strategic and impactful initiative that would accelerate the actualization of the Renewed Hope Target of a  $1Trillion Dollar GDP for the country.    Another gap that long constrained effective housing delivery in Nigeria was the absence of credible, reliable data. Planning and investment decisions were often made in the dark. To fix this, the Ministry led efforts with industry stakeholders to establish the National Housing Data Centre (NHDC) Project —a centralised digital repository of housing, land, and urban development data. The NHDC is at advanced stage of providing real-time, evidence-based insights to guide government policy, attract private sector investment, and support international partners. For the first time, Nigeria is building a modern, data-driven housing ecosystem where progress can be tracked transparently and decisions made on solid evidence   Equally critical has been the spiralling cost of building materials, which pushes homeownership further out of reach. The Ministry’s response has been a bold plan to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in all six geo-political zones. These hubs would boost local production, reducing dependence on imports, cutting costs by up to 25%, and creating thousands of manufacturing and logistics jobs.   Years of housing fraud and abandoned projects also eroded public trust in government-backed housing schemes. To restore confidence, the Ministry has finalized a Housing Fraud Reporting Platform (HFRP) to enable citizens to report fraudulent developers and schemes. In addition, the Safeguarding FG Lands Initiative, launched with the Nigeria Police, will lead to the recovery of billions of naira worth of encroached Federal Government land for redevelopment into housing and infrastructure projects.   At the same time, the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector has been a major barrier to quality and timely housing delivery. Through the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP – CraftHub), thousands of young Nigerians would be trained as carpenters, plumbers, masons, and electricians and directly linked to housing projects nationwide.   To sustain momentum, the Ministry has also deepened partnerships with international development finance institutions. A landmark agreement with Shelter Afrique Development Bank will finance 5,000 affordable homes, while collaborations with UN-Habitat, World Bank would see the channeling technical and financial support to scale housing and urban reforms across the country.   Reflecting on this milestone, Arc. Dangiwa said:   “We inherited a housing sector riddled with systemic challenges. In just two years, through the support of Mr. President and our partners, we have rolled out strategic programmes that are delivering results. We are not just building houses; we are building hope, dignity, and prosperity for millions of Nigerians. And we are only just beginning.”   As the Honourable Minister marks his second year in office, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to scaling up delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of income or status, can aspire to own a decent and dignified home. ...

Housing Ministry, Nigeria Police Force Establish National Task Force to Recover Encroached Federal Lands and Properties    The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has announced the establishment of a National Task Force on the Recovery of Encroached Federal Government Lands and Properties in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).   Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, the Minister commended the IGP for his exemplary leadership in repositioning the Force to align with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to secure lives, property, and the future of Nigeria.   Arc. Dangiwa, who led a delegation of the Ministry’s management including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, emphasized that Federal Government lands are not mere parcels of soil but national assets held in trust for all Nigerians.   “They are meant to host housing estates, infrastructure, and public projects that create jobs, drive development, and expand opportunities. When they are illegally occupied, development is stalled, investments are wasted, and the collective future of Nigerians is shortchanged,” he stated.   The Minister expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for approving the Ministry’s request to set up the Task Force, describing the approval as a strong signal of the Force’s readiness to protect national assets.   The Task Force, which will include representatives from key Ministries, Agencies, and Security Services, will spearhead a coordinated nationwide effort to recover and safeguard Federal Government lands and properties.   “With the full support of the Nigeria Police Force, I have no doubt that this initiative will succeed,” Arc. Dangiwa assured.   He further emphasized that safeguarding Federal Government lands is central to the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as these assets will now be better secured and put to work to advance development, empower communities, and improve lives.   “Safeguarding Federal Government lands is not just about protecting property; it is about protecting the promise of a better Nigeria. It is about ensuring that every project built on these lands contributes to Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda - a Nigeria where every citizen can live with dignity, security, and opportunity,” the Minister affirmed.   In his response, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to the joint Task Force, stressing that housing is critical to the welfare of citizens.    He welcomed President Tinubu’s directive for the allocation of over 1,000 housing units to Police officers, describing it as a measure that would boost their welfare and strengthen their service to the nation.   The collaboration between the Ministry and the Nigeria Police Force sends a clear national message: Federal Government assets belong to the people, and under Renewed Hope, they will be protected, preserved, and utilized for the good of all. ...