Sep

30

2024

INDEPENDENCE DAY: MINISTER GWARZO CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT,  NIGERIANS 

Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has congratulated President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR and entire Nigerians on the occasion of the country's 64th independence anniversary.

The Minister made the statement in a message to Nigerians marking this year's independence anniversary. He said as the nation completes another glorious year of her independence, Nigerians have every cause to celebrate the remarkable achievements recorded in our journey to nationhood.

"Eventhough our journey to the nationhood was tough and thorny, but with the determination of our leaders Nigeria has attained a significant milestone as the biggest economy and largest democracy in African continent", the Minister said. 

He added that "independence Day is celebrated with utmost fervour, zest and a spirit of patriotism to mark the innumerable sacrifices of our leaders both past and present as well as honour the fact that we are living in a free Nigeria".

The Minister has assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR, is working assiduously to fix the country's problems, saying  that people's oriented programmes were initiated and numerous projects have came on board and are targeted at addressing the multiple challenges facing the nation.

Minister Gwarzo, stated that their Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is pursuing the Renewed Hope Estate and Cities programme vigorously with a view to ensuring that every individuals has access to a safe, affordable, and dignified home irrespective of gender or status.

The Minister, therefore, praised Nigerians  for their unalloyed loyalty and contribution to the development of our nation's democratic institutions. He declared that the years ahead would be prosperous as Nigerians would count blessings and opportunities under President Bola Ahmad Tinubu's administration.

Sep

17

2024

Housing Ministry Partners Notable UK Land Valuation Agency on Review of Compensation Rates for Public Land Acquisition

London, 15th September 2024 — The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has began a landmark partnership with the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), a renowned UK-based professional body specializing in agricultural and rural valuation. The collaboration aims to leverage the expertise, knowledge and experience of CAAV towards finalizing the long overdue review and update of methodologies for compensation rates for public land acquisition in Nigeria, with a focus on crops and economic trees.

Speaking at the first day of the Knowledge Exchange Programme in London, the Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo, emphasized the significance of the partnership in the context of Nigeria's ongoing land reforms. He noted that the programme marks a critical step in the country’s efforts to review, update and harmonize land compensation rates and standards in line with global best practices.

“This collaboration is vital to our ongoing reforms, designed to tackle the systemic challenges in land governance and administration. By leveraging the specialist knowledge of institutions like CAAV, we are confident in developing a framework that is both effective and sustainable,” Minister Gwarzo said.

Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry has embarked on comprehensive land reforms aimed at addressing bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the country’s land value chains. One of the core aspects of these reforms is the review of outdated compensation rates that have been in use since 2008.

During his remarks, Minister Gwarzo highlighted the challenges faced in implementing the Land Use Act of 1978, which defines the process of compulsory land acquisition and compensation for affected landowners. These challenges include the outdated compensation rates and the absence of a nationwide, scientifically grounded structure for determining compensation.

To address these issues, the Nigerian government, through its National Technical Development Forum (NTDF) on Land Administration, has been working on developing a revised compensation regime. The partnership with CAAV is expected to provide critical insights and methodologies for ensuring that compensation rates are updated in real time and meet international standards.

“Our engagement with CAAV will enable us to apply critical professional input in the work we have already done to finalize and develop national reference rates for compensating crops and economic trees in public land acquisition. This will help us implement a dynamic, updatable, and scientifically based central repository of rates for use in various projects,” the Minister added.

The meeting featured technical presentations by the Lead Consultant to the Ministry on the draft Compensation Rates Methodology, Professor Olurotimi Kemiki and Secretary and Adviser CAAV, Jeremy Moody. 

In his presentation, Jeremy Moody said the association is pleased to work with the Ministry  towards achieving its objectives.

The Knowledge Exchange Programme will continue throughout the week, with both parties expected to share valuable insights and experiences. The outcomes from this engagement will contribute to the Ministry’s final report, which is scheduled to be presented in October 2024.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development remains committed to ensuring that land acquisition processes in Nigeria are fair, transparent, and in line with global standards.

Sep

11

2024

Housing Ministry Partners World Bank on Urban Resilience,  Land Titling, Registration 

● Natiion's vast land assets to become more economically viable, boost states' revenue - Dangiwa 

● To grow rate of titled Land from 10% to 50% in 5 years

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the World Bank Group have resolved to work together towards addressing the 90% of land in Nigeria that is unregistered and untitled. 

The move is aimed at making the nation's vast land assets more economically viable and unlocking the over $300 billion in dead capital tied up in such undocumented land.

This was the outcome of a courtesy call on the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa by a delegation of the World Bank led by its Vice President (Infrastructure), Guangzhe Chen in Abuja,  Wednesday, September 11th, 2024.

One of the areas of the collaboration is the National Land Registration and Titling Programme in partnership with the state governments. As the Minister said, "this is very important to our government as over 90% of land in our country is unregistered and untitled. Experts estimate a dead capital of over $300bn" 

"Through this initiative that we plan to implement with the World Bank, we aim to, amongst other objectives, register, document and title all land parcels within five years; develop and launch a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) and define a framework that makes it accessible to all stakeholders; increase the formalization of land transactions from less than 10% to over 50% in the next 10 years; and train and deploy technically competent land registration officers nationwide," he said.

The Minister added that land registration and titling will open up sources of revenue for the states who can boost their income through ground rent, Certificates of Occupancy, and taxes accruing from increased investments in real estate. 

Accordingly, he further said that such funds can be used to provide urban services in the states which can help minimise the effect of climate change across cities in Nigeria.

Arc Dangiwa also observed "We have examples from states who have implemented proper land registration systems using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Kaduna and Nasarawa are two good examples. These states have not only been able to significantly improve land registrations, but have also generated huge revenues in the process," 

Addressing the issue of Urban Livability, which he says is another area of common interest, Dangiwa noted, "Implementation of the approved National Urban Development Policy is a key priority of the administration of Mr. President. We have to create the necessary frameworks towards an effective, impactful and sustainable implementation towards improving the management of our urban areas and improving service delivery, saying that the World Bank’s Technical Capacity in the area will be highly needed.

"The third focus area is the development of a Framework towards addressing the systemic barriers along the housing value chain. Doing this will help us to enhance private, affordable housing investments," he added.

The Minister recalled the recent Livability Workshop held with Commissioners of states with the largest concentration of urban areas, noting that the recommendations from the engagement are already being developed into an Actionable Plan in collaboration with the World Bank team.

Citing the recent flooding in Maiduguri which left more than 200,000 people displaced, the Minister said the need to invest in urban resilience has become more evident in recent times following rapid climate change and the susceptibility of many Nigerian urban centres to its impact.

Speaking earlier, the World Bank Vice President of Infrastructure, Guangzhe Chen said the purpose of the visit was to identify areas of common interests which they can prioritise in their collaboration with the Ministry. 

He dusclosed that the Bank is open to supporting Nigeria on land administration, affordable housing, sustainable financing mechanisms, addressing the impact of climate change on the urban sector, and engaging in urban land management towards the attainment of livable cities, digitization, among others 

"We have developed some models and worked with some countries in West and Central Africa on urban Livability and resilience, and these models can be reviewed and replicated in Nigeria," he said.

He added that the World Bank is open to providing financing and technical support to the Ministry to help the government achieve its housing and urban agenda.

Also in the delegation was the Country Director of the World Bank, Ndiame Diop, who gave the assurance that the priorities outlined will be looked at by both teams, fine-tuned, and developed into comprehensive programmes to drive the nation's housing and urban agenda, including improving the mortgage ecosystem, implementing a structured land Titling system, and offering urban planning technical support to help vulnerable cities in Nigeria mitigate challenges of flood and rising heat levels.

Diop remarked "The Minister talked about affordable housing delivery, and it's good to see that there is a functional system in the form of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, which can be supported for enhanced capacity. The issue of land registration which I find worrisome, is one area that requires urgent attention. Having 90% of land unregistered can be an obstacle for Development in the sector" 

The Country Director also expreseed his happiness that the Minister is already discussing with state governments on the matter which he described as a key aspect towards achieving it, saying that States have to adopt the improved systems. 

" We will see how we can also come in and help enrich those conversations, so that we can work together to help the country achieve increased land Titling," he assured 

In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, solicited for support from the World Bank in the area of capacity building in needed areas, for the incoming new staff of the Ministry, given that the experienced and old staff were retiring from the service and needed replacement with capable hands.
 

Sep

09

2024

Kano Building Collapse; Housing Minister Orders Immediate Investigation 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has decried the recent building collapse in Noman's Land Quarters in Kano and ordered a full scale investigation into the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

Recall that a two-storey building at Noman's Land Quarters in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State was reported to have collapsed and trapped many people inside

Dangiwa who directed the relevant officials to quickly investigate the Kano collapse, said government will take decisive action after the finding is submitted 

The Minister, who decried the recurrence of building collapse in the country, emphasised the need for an overhaul in the system and full implementation of building codes and regulations in the country.

Dangiwa described the Kano collapse incident as another sad development exposing the rot in the building industry over the years which if unchecked will continue to remain catastrophic to the industry and society.

A report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that two persons were recovered from the rubles dead, while two others had been taken to the hospital for treatment 

Accordingly, Dangiwa called on state governments to rise up to the challenge and the relevant agencies to swing into action to preempt anything capable of causing the building collapse.

The Minister recalled the last Jos school building collapse and emphatically stated that the federal government is committed to getting the root of the matter and prosecute every one found culpable. 

“I have received the report of the Jos collapse investigation and a checklist of all professionals involved in the construction is being compiled for us to take action" he stated 

Arc Dangiwa assured that government will do what is needed to deter others from putting Nigerians at risk with their reckless and unprofessional activities, stating that the ministry is working on a robust regulation mechanism with relevant stakeholders in the industry to enforce building codes across the country in close collaboration with the states.

“I implore the State governments who are closer to the people and directly supervising the land to wake up and be more effective in checking the excesses of quacks in the building construction industry" The Minister stated 

He explained that, relevant agencies should ensure whether due diligence was observed in the issuance of building permit and find out if all approvals were given for all categories of buildings, adding that if any infraction was found in the process appropriate penalty must be taken

The Minister also advised the builders to ensure quality and high standard building materials were used and also adhere to original structural design

He expressed condolences to the families of those whose lives were lost by the unfortunate tragedy and prayed for quick recovery for those hospitalized.

Sep

05

2024

Housing Minister Supports CIoD on Corporate Governance 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has expressed support to the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) in the promotion of corporate governance and excellence.

Dangiwa made the statement when he received members of the Abuja zone of the Institute led by its Chairperson Mrs. Nwando Chukwura on a courtesy visit to his office. 

" I will continue to collaborate with the Institute especially now as this is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda" he said 

Speaking on the performance driven culture which is one of the focus of the Institute, the Minister stated that, housing ministry must embrace the culture in order to deliver its mandate of providing decent and affordable homes for Nigerians.

He explained that the private sector unlike the  public sector gives priority to customer- centricity, stating that the ministry of housing will collaborate with the Institute in order to improve on customer centricity 

"The ministry will leverage on CIoD to boost professionalism and effective leadership in the ministry to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda" he stated 

He also promised the Institute that he will get the management of his ministry to obtain membership of the institute.

Dangiwa who is a proud member of the institute said the institute align seemlessly with resourceful leadership skills which includes integrity , accountability, professionalism ,probity and customer-centricity and team work.

Speaking earlier, the Institute's Chairperson Abuja zone, Mrs. Nwando Chukwurah said that, the institute is committed to advancing the cause of good corporate governance and sound business practices, professional education, enhancing the skills of Directors, and promoting the entrenchment of good corporate governance in workplaces.

She also disclosed that the Institute conducts capacity development programmes both locally in Nigeria and internationally, exposing directors to global best practices to further enhance their skills and knowledge. 

Mrs. Chukwurah said that their visit to the ministry was intended to strengthen the robust partnership and collaboration that have flourished over the years.

She urged the Directors of the ministry to register with the institute and assured them that their membership will significantly bolster an enduring partnership and collaboration in promoting corporate governance excellence in Nigeria

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD), is a professional institute  for Directors focusing on development of corporate governance in Nigeria by empowering those who are charged with governance duties to discharge those duties effectively and legally.

The institute is an assemblage of young and experienced Directors and its objective is to promote professionalism through continuous education, information sharing, network opportunities and celebrating excellence at individual and corporate levels among others.

Aug

27

2024

Housing Minister Inaugurates Estate Surveyors Registration Board

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has inaugurated a 22- Member Registration Board for Estate Surveyors and Valuers of  Nigeria (ESVARBON), Tuesday, August, 27th 2024.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dangiwa stated that the board is an essential organ charged with the responsibility of overseeing the profession of Estate Surveying and Valuation in Nigeria, adding that having the board is necessary in order to actualize the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

He also explained that, Surveyors and Valuers have great impact on the delivery of decent and affordable housing in Nigeria due to their professional expertise. " They help in structuring urban development and minimize cost" he added. 

Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that,  the ministry is ready to work closely with the board as they play significant role in preventing building collapse which is one of the priorities of the ministry.

The Minister urged the newly inaugurated board members to focus on its mandates of determining who qualifies as estate surveyors and valuers, maintain high standards, regulate  and control the practice of the profession.

Responding, the Chairman of the Board,  ESV Dosu Fatokun assured the minister of their collective efforts to lead to a vibrant and thriving real estate sector in Nigeria. 

" The board will ensure professionalism, integrity and transparency in discharging it's mandate" he said 

ESV Fatokun also assured the minister of the board's continuous role of regulating and controlling the practice of estate surveying and valuation, providing expert advice to the government and stakeholders on issues relating to  real estate sector and supporting infrastructure development.

Aug

23

2024

FG Partners Shelter Afrique Development Bank on Housing Development 

* Partnership will support the Renewed Hope Agenda with funds for 5000 housing units  - Dangiwa 

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has signed a letter of intent for collaboration with Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) for development of housing in Nigeria.

Housing Minister, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa signed the agreement on behalf of the federal government, while Mr Thierno Habib-Hann, the Managing Director ShafDB signed on behalf of the bank.

The signing of the intent was the focus of the ministerial press briefing marking the one year anniversary in office of the Minister and Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, at NAF Conference Center, Abuja.

Minister Dangiwa disclosed that  Nigeria's population of over 225 million with a growth rate of 2.5 percent per annum requires about 550,000 housing units over the next 10 years to meet the housing deficit and inorder to meet up with this, N5.5 trillion per annum will be required.

" Government can not provide all the funds needed to meet up with the housing demands, Hence, the need to sign a Housing Development Partnership with the Shelter Afrique Development.  Under this partnership, the Pan-African housing institution will support the Renewed Hope Agenda with funds  that will cater for about five thousand housing units" he stated 

In his remarks, the MD Shelter Afrique Development Bank, Habib-Hann said that  
" the MoU represents a landmark and historic milestone in Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s partnership with Nigeria for advisory services and financing of developers towards the construction of 5,000 affordable units to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Ministry for housing and urban development"

Highlights of the Press briefing was the presentation of notable accomplishments of the ministry of housing and urban development under the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also showcasing the ministry's commitment in transforming the Nigeria housing sector. 

Some of the notable accomplishments include: expansion and implementation of the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme to improve liveabllity in urban areas and slums, increasing the stock of decent and affordable housing units in the country to meet rising demand, and establishing a National Housing Data Center, amongst others.

On the achievements, Dangiwa said " We have made substantial progress in increasing the stock of affordable and decent housing stock for Nigerians with the groundbreaking for 6,612 housing units across 13 locations nationwide under the Ministry’s Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme"

He explained that, construction is ongoing at all these project sites with three months  completion period, adding that, the houses  were evenly distributed with two states in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, and also cutting across all party lines as the only criteria being States that provided free and unencumbered land first. 

The occassion of the Ministerial press briefing was graced with the presence of relevant housing sector committies of the National Assembly,  namely; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Urban and Regional Development, Hon.Abiante Awaji-Inimbek Dagomie and his counterpart of the Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon.Abdulmumin Jubril.

Others who graced the occassion were the Managing Director Shelter Afrique Development Bank, Mr. Thierno Habib Hann, MD FederalMortgageBankofNigeria,  Shehu Usman Osidi, MD Federal Housing Authority,  Hon Oyetunji Ojo and various representatives of professional and regulatory bodies in the housing industry.

Aug

17

2024

Housing Ministry Partners Association of Housing Corporatiions on Renewed Hope Housing Programme 

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Association of Housing Corporatiions of Nigeria (AHCN), have agreed on a joint mission in the delivery of affordable housing under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme of the present administration. 

AHCN mission is to eradicate homelessness and provide descent and affordable housing for all Nigerians in safe environment 

This understanding was arrived at when the President and Chairman of Council, Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN), Esv.Eno Obongha, led a delegation of members of the AHCN on a courtesy visit to the Ministry.  

The Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) is an umbrella organization for all federal and state housing agencies, housing research institutes, mortgage establishments and private property developers. 

AHCN members include; the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Nigerian Building & Road Research Institute (NBRRI), etc. with all the 36 states Housing Agencies as members.

Minister Dangiwa told the association that the Renewed Hope Housing Programme was initiated to boost the stock  of affordable housing in Nigeria and the Ministry will ensure completion of all and there will be no abandoned houses under the programme. 

In addition, the minister assured on the use of quality local building materials products to deliver the houses that will be acceptable to Nigerians and to boost the local economy.

Accordingly, he stated that, despite the fact that the goal of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme was to provide affordable and accessible houses for all Nigerians, the Ministry would not allow the use of sub-standard building materials, emphasising that high quality building materials would be used to deliver the houses.

Arc Dangiwa expressed satisfaction with the Agric -Villages Scheme initiative of the Association, designed to acquire farm lands in rural areas in all states, using agriculture to drive housing provisions thereby creating job opportunities for jobless youths.

He assured them that the Agric -villages scheme will be incorporated into the National Social Housing Fund initiative which the ministry is also working to implement in order to provide access to affordable housing to low and none income Nigerians.

Speaking earlier, the President and Chairman of Council, Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria,  ESV. Eno Obongha told the Minister that AHCN desires to participate in the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda by providing about 15 hectares of land in each of the senatorial district for the development of  housing in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The association also solicited for the State Housing Corporations to obtain Housing Development Funds through the mortgages, and also seeks inclusion in executing  housing projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.

Surveyor Eno also suggesred to the minister to ensure at least twenty percent of the building materials used in the Renewed Hope Agenda Projects are locally sourced.

Aug

12

2024

NHP Houses: Ministry Begins 1st Batch Issuance of Offer Of Provisional  Allocation 

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development commenced the issuance of 1st batch Offer of Provisional Allocation to the Outright Subscribers of Houses under the National Housing Programme (NHP).

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, disclosed this in his office in Abuja. 

The issuance of the 1st batch offer of provisional allocation which began in April, 2024 was sequel to the review of the conditions and procedures for the sales of houses under the NHP conveyed on the 29th, December, 2023 via a circular Ref no. DPBH/645/1/43.

Dr. Ogunbiyi disclosed that, a number of Outright Payment Subscribers have completed their payments, while some have started making deposit payments, but yet to complete their payments.

Accordingly, he also reminded the subscribers under the 1st batch Offer of provisional allocation of the NHP Housing Units that the validity period for the completion of all payment was 90 days.

" By this information, the Ministry is informing all the 1st batch Outright Subscribers who are yet to complete their payments for the houses offered them, that a grace of eight (8) weeks is now given to them within which they are advised to complete all their payments " he said.

The Permanent further stated that, any subcriber who fails to complete payment within the eight (8) weeks grace period will have his Offer revoked.

Aug

09

2024

We Will Ensure Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Building Collapse  – Dangiwa

* Reviews Recommendations of Building Collapse Committee with Regulatory Bodies 

* Charges the Commitee to develop a checklist of professionals involved in construction process to ease investigation

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa,  has stated that the ministry would ensure prosection of persons responsible for building collapse in the country. 

The Minister stated this during a review meeting of recommendations of the ministry's building collapse commitee along side regulatory bodies in the built environment. 

To ensure proper investigation and prosecution of the Culprits, the minister also charged the Ministry's Committee on building collapse to develop a checklist of professionals involved in the construction process in order to ease investigation and identifying the Culprits.

Dangiwa told the committee " You must come up with a checklist of things to observe during inspection or assessment of building collapse and there must be a column to aportion blame to who is culpable" 

According to the Minister, the checklist must ensure quality assurance of the design,  concrete quality, slumb and soil tests  before the construction, who designed the building, who certified the designer, who approved the design and who supervised the construction so as to identify those culpable to stop the embarrassing tie of building collapse in the country.

"Once there is building collapse, we should immediately move there with our checklist, identify it and fill in. Once that is done, you can independently sit down and identify the culprit and support it with tangible evidence that this is the person that hasn't done the correct thing, either the design had not been done or the professional not certified or development control has not given approval or supervision was not done by a professional and it was converted to different use".

The checklist when developed would be presented to  the National Council on Housing for all to understand and be carried along in the implementation.

Dangiwa requested the regulatory bodies in the built environment to forward their  submissions and inputs to the committee on building collapse set up by the ministry for consideration and inclusion in the checklist.

Earlier the Committee on building collapse had presented Twelve recommendations for consideration among which are as follows;

Reconstitution of the National Building Code Advisory Committee, Review of the Acts establishing ARCON; CORBON and TOPREC to make them more effective in curbing quackery; Implementation of punitive measures and sanctions for professional negligence, regulatory bodies to collaborate in event of collapse amongst others.

Commenting on the Committee's recommendations, the Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Bldr. Samson Ameh Opaluwah fnib, comended the Honourable Minister for this initiative and his laudable achievements within one year in office.

"Before, when there was an incident of building collapse, nothing  was done to it but this initiative shows that the Federal Government and the Ministry are concerned and ready to tackle this issue to ensure safety and security of lives and properties.

Many of the regulators advocated for the implementation of punitive measures on those found wanting to curb the menace of building collapse in the country.

They called on the ministry to resuscitate the training schools for Artisans and Technicians to train more Artisans, Carpenters and Technicians to follow exactly the specifications in the drawings while doing their work to ensure a perfect job.

The regulatory bodies present at the meeting were; The Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC), Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and others.
 

Aug

04

2024

FG  Plans Building Material Manufacturing Hubs In Six Geo- Political Zones In Nigeria

*  Seeks Collaboration with Investors

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has disclosed plan of the ministry to construct building materials manufacturing hubs in six geo- political zones of the country.

Dangiwa made the disclosure when he received the Executive Chairman, Zheng Xiaopeng and Vice Chairman, Yiwu China- Africa Business Council, High Chief Mike Yousuf Ugwu, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The Minister said, " We want to tell that we have one project that we are designing to build; Building Materials Manufacturing Hub. We want to build a hub whereby we have industries or factories that are producing building materials."

He explained that the building materials manufacturing hubs would be situated in six geo-political locations of the country ; Sagamu in South West, Aba in South East, Warri or Asaba in South South, Ajaokuta in North Central, Kano in North West and Gombe in North East.

" So, that is our invitation. We want to collaborate with any investor willing to bring funding to build the hub, even if it is two or three hubs, manage it, recoup the investment then give us after recouping the investment," he said.

On the security of the locations, the Minister assured that the locations are secured, adding that the intention of the ministry is to have them built in locations where building materials markets already existed.

Explaining the concept of a building material manufacturing hub, the Minister said that the manufacturing hubs will be where building materials are manufactured and they will have facilities like power, water and even housing for workers where they would be comfortable and not go out till work is completed.

Accordingly, building materials like roofing sheets, ceilings, tiles, doors amongst others are the items these hubs will be manufacturing in their respective locations across the country.

In addition, the Minister informed that the ministry was not going to present any form of design to any investor, urging them to bring up their own designs to suit the ministry's concept.

"We cannot give you design since you have taken our concept, " he noted. 

He also revealed that a minimum of a  hundred hecters of land will be provided for the interested investors, saying that the manufacturing hubs could come in small, medium or large hubs and that they will be  bringing in their manufacturing  machines and equipment. 

Arc Dangiwa further encouraged interested investors to present the proposed design of any size of the building materials manufacturing hub of interest, be it small, medium or large to the ministry.

Similay, he also explained the Chinese concept of the building material manufacturing hubs where the items were produced and thereafter purchased and imported to Nigeria, saying that the federal government wants same replicated in Nigeria in order to reduce cost of importation, create jobs for the teeming Nigerians as well as enhance economic growth and development of the country.

The minister also informed of the intention of the government to make all the building materials manufacturing hubs designated free zones areas.

Earlier in his remarks, the High Chief Mike Yousouf Ugwu, told the Minister that he was in the ministry on behalf of Yiwu China - African Business Council, to seek  collaboration in the area of housing construction. 

He mentioned that the Commission had constructed housing for permanent staff for the government of Kenya, saying that funding would not be an impediment to handling any construction job awarded to it.

The High Chief applauded the Minister for the idea of having building materials manufacturing hubs in Nigeria, which he described as a good vision to move the housing sector forward

He requested for clarification if the building materials manufacturing hubs will be a free zone areas where machines and equipment to be shipped in for use would enjoy free imprt duties, aside the the items manufactured in the factories, saying that the gesture would make it attractive for his commission and partners to invest in the building material manufacturing hubs being proposed by the ministry. 

Jul

31

2024

Housing Ministry Will Ensure Disability Friendly Buildings, Compliance  - Dangiwa 

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has assured that it is mindful of all the relevant sections in the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 that ensures the rights to accessible structures for persons with disabilities.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa gave this assurance when a delegation from National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) paid him a courtesy visit.

He acknowledged that housing was key to human development as well as a human right to all Nigerians as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as such the Ministry was mindful of all the provisions in the Act establishing the Commission in ensuring that houses being delivered were mindful of the Accessibility Act or Regulations in the document.

“We are glad that you brought the document to us today, we will henceforth look at it to ensure that our houses are very much affordable, accessible and acceptable to the commission”, he said. 

He informed that the Housing Ministry being one of the first few Ministries that has adopted the regulations in the document, has started the implementation with actions such as the addition of a ramp at the entrance of the Ministry to enable easy access to people with disabilities and the installation of an elevator to assist staff and visitors within this category access offices upstairs.

On section 7  of the Act which mandated that Persons With Disabilities should be first considered in accessibility to houses constructed by government, Dangiwa assured the commission that his ministry would comply, emphasising that maximum  scrutiny of building plans would be done before approval of building plan to certify provision of accessibility facilities are incorporated.

Accordingly, the Minister stated that the ministry is mindful of the penalty against defaulting any of  the regulations.

The Minister further explained that the ministry has demonstrated it in its public buildings by making sure all the federal secretariat buildings Nationwide being managed by the Ministry are fully equipped with accessibility facilities.

He noted that among the plans rolled out for all Nigerians including the persons with disabilities under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu include groundbreaking for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates program in 13 states and FCT.

To this end, he disclosed that the housing units being built under the program are made affordable, accessible and acceptable to Nigerians through ownership options such as outright purchase, installmental payment, mortgage and rent-to-own, to which the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) provides a single digit interest rates to run for thirty years.  

The Minister further explained  that the houses are being built organically to allow owners build  more rooms as their income or family increases.

In the area of urban renewal, Dangiwa also notified the delegation that the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade has been flagged off in twenty eight sites, four sites each in each geopolitical zone and the FCT, respectively.

“This entails accessible roads, drainages, water supply, sanitation and solar street lights to some of the identified slum areas”, he explained.

Accordingly, Minister Dangiwa told the team that the Ministry is also pursuing the establishment of National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) for the provision of accessible housing to all Nigerians,  targeting  the low and no income, underprivileged as well as the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“We want to ensure that we have a minimum of 100 houses in the 774 local governments Nationwide where the underprivileged, IDPs as well as the no income have access to affordable housing”, he said.

The Minister also added that the Ministry has commenced the sale of houses built  under the National Housing Program through advertisements,  assuring the delegation  the Ministry would avail them with the location of the housing units for accessibility.

He commended the presentation of the document containing the provisions of the discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition act of 2018, assuring that it would be passed across to the design department to ensure further compliance with the regulations.

Speaking earlier,  Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities and  leader of  the delegation, James David Lalu, PhD, made an appeal for  the ministry to consider Persons Living with Disabilities in Renewed Hope Housing Estates as it would enable them own a home of their own.

While stating some of the relevant provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 that ensure the rights to accessible  structures for persons with disabilities, Lalu appealed for compliance to ensure that houses for its members include necessary adjustments to accommodate their disabilities.

"The regulation is what the persons living with disabilities want to see in the public buildings," adding "all the necessary specifications, designs, accessibility facility to be fitted in the public buildings so that our people will have have access to public building," he spoke passionately.

Jul

25

2024

Ministry of Finance Incorporated Explores Collaborative Areas with Housing Ministry

*  We have Structures on ground to leverage on -  Dangiwa

*      FMHUD, Key Collaborator -  MOFI

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc Ahmed Dangiwa has told the Ministry of Finance incorporated (MOFI) that housing ministry has so many existing structures on ground for MOFI to leverage on, in its quest to carry out its supervising function of government enterprises.

Dangiwa stated this when he received members of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on a visit to his ministry and presented a strategic partnership proposal to the ministry 

MOFI, is a subsidiary under the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, responsible for supervising assets and investments of the federal government owned enterprises, interests, estates and rights. 

The Minister told MOFI that, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), an Agency under the Housing Ministry has branches in all the 36 States of the federation, including  lands with various mortgages to cater for the housing needs of Nigerians, urging MOFI to work with FHA regardless of their developers to create a healthy competition.

He said "most of the federal government assets are being managed by the ministry of housing and urban development.

" One of the deliverables of the ministry under this administration is reforming the Housing Institutions and the ministry is doing everything possible to recapitalize the Federal Mortgage Bank. FHA has been partially commercialized to invest in the capital market by constructing and selling  houses", he stated 

In the same vein, Dangiwa disclosed that, the Ministry plans to generate Two Trillion Real Estate Investment, which is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 's Renewed Hope agenda and inorder to make this a reality, he added that the ministry decided to partner with Public Private Partnership which is the biggest aspect of the funding structure. 

  
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer and managing Director of the MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, told the Minister that the essence of their visit was to support what Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is doing to use government platform to  mobilize funds. 

He explained that proper Titles to Assets especially landed properties can unlock capital to do other things, adding that most properties both in rural and urban areas don't have proper titles including  government properties.

The MD described the ministry of housing as a key collaborator in achieving their primary objective of long term, low- cost mortgage financing at scale for Nigerians.

He stated that asset optimization in line with National Housing and Urban Development goals, facilitates capital base for housing and urban development renewal and ensures seemless integration between asset management and urban planning initiatives.

Dr. Takang further disclosed that MOFI's aim is to create jobs through construction and urban development projects, skills development programs in real estate and property management, as well as affordable housing initiatives for low and middle income families.

" There should be a Mechanism where people can find affordable loans with long term payment plan of monthly payment, in that case, the demand will be high and when demands are high you are creating more jobs for developers, not only meeting the demands but also improving Urban development", he explained 

"We need more money to build houses, we need more money to provide mortgages, we need to be creative on how we source the money", He added.

Jul

23

2024

Nigeria Needs 550,000 Housing Units Annualy To Curb Housing Deficit - Dangiwa 

*  Ministry ready for partnership with UK Build and Construction Trade Mission

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has expressed optimism that the huge housing deficit facing the country can be brought to a halt if a total of 550,000 housing units are built annually at the cost of N5.5Trillion, over the next ten years.

Dangiwa made this expression in a meeting with delegates of the UK Build and Construction West Africa Trade Mission, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

While noting that Nigeria has a 200 million population with an annual growth rate of 2.5 percent per annum, the Minister said that the current state of housing in the country was far from where it ought to be, giving the dual challenge of inadequate housing supply to meet population growth and sub-standard housing which does not meet the conditions of Habitability, Safety & Security, Comfort, Sanitation, Accessibility, Infrastructure, Social Amenities, and Socio-Cultural adequacy as set out by the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO).

He informed the team of delegates that the Ministry was combining urban renewal and building of new houses as part of strategies to address the problem of substandard houses, as the findings by a recent survey by PwC housing industry shows that 75% (i.e. 31.6 million) of the 42million housing units in Nigeria were sub-standard.

The Minister enumerated the action plans the Ministry has taken since his administration in rewriting the housing and urban landscape to include; the inauguration of Four Housing Reform Task Teams namely: Housing Institutions Reform Task Team, the Multi-Agency Project Delivery Task Team, the Land Reforms Task Team and the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs Task Team, “All the housing sector reform task teams are in the process of finalizing their reports”, he stated 

Arc. Dangiwa reviewed the implementation of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in February with the groundbreaking of a 3,112-housing unit in Karsana, Abuja.

He explained that phase one of the program aims at 50,000 housing units across Nigeria with the Cities having 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six
geo-political zones in the country and FCT, while the Estates, 250 housing units per site in the remaining thirty (30) States.

“So far, we have done groundbreaking for two Renewed Hope Cities under PPP (FCT and Kano), and Renewed Hope Estates in twelve States (Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Benue, Nasarawa, Oyo, Katsina, Yobe, Gombe and Sokoto), making a total of 6,612 homes”, he further explained.

He said the funding for the projects was from a mix of the Ministry’s 2023 Supplementary and 2024 budgetary allocation, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers.

Arc. Dangiwa further stated that the programme aims to address social inequality by providing a broad range of affordable ownership options which includes single digit and up to 30-year mortgage loans to be provided by FMBN, Rent-to-Own options and Outright Purchase for high income earners.

“We have also made cross subsidy a key part of our efforts to enhance affordability for low-medium income earners to foster integrated living. Under this concept, the housing units built in the Renewed Hope Cities will be sold at commercial rate while a substantial percentage will be sold at concessionary rates to low and medium income Nigerians”, he added.

The Minister also underscored the economic impact of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate project growth giving that the construction and development of the new areas will generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and attract investments.

Accordingly, he informed the team about the launch of an online portal to ease the process of acquiring homes being built under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme; “The platform has recorded over 28,000 applications since its launch. This is helping us to plan”, he noted.

On the Ministry’s Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, Dangiwa was delighted to inform about an expansion, “Under Phase 1 of the Programme, the Ministry has projects ongoing in a total of 26 sites nationwide which includes four (4) sites in each of the six regions of the country totaling twenty four, and two in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”.

He said key services of water supply, solar streetlights, rehabilitation of access roads, construction of drainages and waste management and sanitation services amongst others, were provided at the identified sites.

In addition, the Minister revealed that the Ministry was working to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) that would ensure that all Nigerians, including the no income, vulnerable, and underprivileged have access to decent and dignified accommodation, with potential sources of funding to include Budget Allocation, Executive Order – Tax Incentivs, Private Sector Donations – Telecomms USSD, Development Finance Institutions, amongst others.

Dangiwa as well told the team of delegates about a partnership with the World Bank towards the implementation of a National Land Registration and Titling Programme which aims to partner with State Governments towards improving land formalisation from the current statistics of less than 10% to 50% in the next ten years.

He requested partnership proposals from the UK Build and Construction Trade Mission for the Ministry’s consideration in the areas of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate, Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, as well as the building material hub, in order to work towards delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Earlier, the spokesperson of the delegates from the UK Build and Construction West Africa Trade Mission, the deputy Country Director, Morayo Adekunle, sought for partnership in investment opportunities, and providing funding solutions for the housing sector in Nigeria. 

The delegates expressed willingness to collaborate and understand areas where the Ministry needs their global experience, through the infrastructure project authority arm of the UK which is the main infrastructure expertise for the UK government, working globally to support governments in capacity buildings, trainings, and preparation of all the projects that needs advisory, on a government to government level.

The team further requested for a working group to be set up at the Ministry for the purpose of engaging and scoping out opportunities, while they provide the needed technical support for the group.

Jul

22

2024

Collaborative Efforts For Housing and Urban Development 

- FMHUD Nigeria and Ansari Group UAE, explore partnership.

In a significant step towards enhancing global urban development, the Honourable Ministers of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and H.E Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, participated in a multilateral virtual meeting with UN-Habitat and the Ansari Group of the UAE. The central focus of the meeting was the 1000 Cities Programme by UN-Habitat and the exploration of potential collaboration with the Ansari Group.

The Ansari Group was represented by its President, Dr. Sania Ansari, who expressed a strong commitment to sustainable urban development. The meeting was skillfully anchored by Ambassador Murtala Jimoh from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who facilitated the discussions and ensured productive dialogue.

Dr. Ansari highlighted the Ansari Group's dedication to creating sustainable urban environments and their eagerness to partner with UN-Habitat in advancing the 1000 Cities Programme. This initiative aims to transform urban spaces worldwide, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, promoting sustainability, and improving the overall quality of life.

UN-Habitat representatives provided an in-depth overview of the programme, outlining its objectives and ongoing projects. They emphasized the critical role of private sector partnerships in achieving the programme's ambitious goals and the significant impact it aims to deliver.

The Honourable Ministers reaffirmed the government's support for the programme, recognizing the immense benefits such collaborations could bring to national urban development efforts. They stressed the importance of aligning these initiatives with national development plans and policies to ensure integrated and cohesive urban growth.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from all parties to continue exploring and formalizing the collaboration. Follow-up meetings and detailed discussions were planned to solidify the partnership framework and identify specific projects and initiatives.

This virtual meeting represents a pivotal move towards fostering international collaboration in sustainable urban development. The anticipated partnership between UN-Habitat, the Ansari Group, and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs promises to drive transformative changes in urban landscapes, contributing significantly to the global effort of building better cities for future generations.

Sep

30

2024

Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary Marks New Era of Financial Freedom, Sustainable Growth and Prosperity – Dangiwa

Abuja, 1 October 2024– The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has declared that Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary marks the dawn of a new era of prosperity, urging citizens to view the current challenges as essential sacrifices for the nation's sustainable development.

In his Independence Day goodwill message, the Minister emphasized that this year’s celebration will be remembered as a turning point, where the country begins to fully harness its resources for the collective benefit of all Nigerians.

He highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership in dismantling long-standing barriers to growth, such as fuel subsidies and the multiple foreign exchange windows which had stifled the nation’s progress.

“The hemorrhaging of our national wealth has been stopped under President Tinubu. We are transitioning into a new phase where Nigeria’s resources are being channeled into critical infrastructure, driving industrial growth, strengthening the economy, and making our country a more prosperous and livable place,” Dangiwa stated.

He further remarked, “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are witnessing unprecedented reforms, particularly in housing and urban development. Our sector has seen transformational strides never before achieved.”

Dangiwa detailed significant achievements, noting that the government is currently constructing 6,612 housing units across 13 states and the FCT, with many nearing completion. He underscored the Ministry’s commitment to a “Zero Tolerance for Uncompleted Projects” policy and highlighted ongoing urban renewal and slum upgrading initiatives in over 26 locations nationwide, providing essential infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, and streetlights.

Additionally, the Minister spotlighted the forthcoming National Social Housing Fund, a demonstration of President Tinubu's pledge to make homeownership accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of income.

“We are also collaborating with the World Bank and exploring other avenues to improve land administration, aiming to unlock more than $300 billion in dormant capital,” he added.

As the nation celebrates its 64th Independence, President Tinubu has called for a modest observance and urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and patient as the country strides toward a brighter future.

Sep

23

2024

Your Excellency Sir,

Over the last year, you have immersed yourself in the service of our dear nation as the honourable minister of state for housing and urban development, carrying us, your aides along, transversing the length and breadth of the nation's six geopolitical zones, alongside your principal, breaking ground for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates, as well as representing the nation in different global forums, like the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai UAE, the Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and most recently leading the nation's delegation to a bilateral engagement in the United Kingdom on Land Compensation. In all these, you have demonstrated your sheer dedication and commitment to the course of the Nigerian state, which has indeed inspired us to aim for nothing but the best.

On this very special day, as you celebrate your 64th birthday, I feel immensely privileged to take a moment and pay tribute to such an incredible boss like you. Today is not just a celebration of your life but also an opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you do and represent.

Throughout the years, you have been more than just a boss to us – you have been a leader, mentor, and a true inspiration. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence are qualities that we all strive to emulate. From your strong work ethic to your incredible wisdom, you have left an indelible mark on our lives.

Your visionary approach to leadership has not only guided us through success but has also helped shape our individual careers. Your ability to see the bigger picture ensures that all our efforts are aligned, ultimately fostering a positive work environment where creativity and growth thrive.

One of the most remarkable aspects of your leadership style is your patience, tolerance, altruism, unwavering support, and belief in your team. You have always been there to encourage my ideas and help me realize my true potential. Your ability to motivate and inspire has created an atmosphere where one can confidently set and achieve ambitious goals.

Beyond the professional realm, you have also touched my life on a personal level. Your warm and approachable demeanor has made it easy for me to seek guidance and share my concerns. Your genuine interest in my well-being shows that you genuinely care about each and every one of your aides, irrespective of kinship or kithship ties, fostering a sense of family within our workplace.

Sir, I don’t know how long we would continue to be together, due to natural or other human factors, but I would very much like you to know that, over the years we have been together, I have enjoyed every bit of our togetherness, which has redefined the principal-subordinate relationship. I believe this is due to your sheer magnanimity, big-heartedness, and the reciprocatory method upon which our affinity was built.

Today, as the world celebrates you and your impactful 64 years of life, I cannot be more grateful for all that you have done for me. Your leadership has not only propelled me to new heights, but it has also instilled in me core values that extend far beyond my professional life.

So, on this special occasion, I want to wish you a very happy 64th birthday, filled with joy, blessings, and all the love in the world. May this year bring you good health, happiness, and continued success in all your endeavors.

Thank you once again for being the phenomenal boss that you are.

With heartfelt regards,  
HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY SIR.

Sep

16

2024

Moulud : Minister Gwarzo Charges Muslims On Virtues Of Prophet Muhammad ( SAW) 

The Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo has called on Nigeria’s Muslim to reflect on the teachings of our noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in all our day-to-day activities.

The Minister made the charge in his Maulud message marking this year's commemoration of the birthday of our exalted Prophet Peace Be Upon Him. He described Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as complete guiding principles of all Muslims in the world.

Gwarzo therefore, enjoined Muslims to adhere to the teaching and practice of the Holy Prophet, saying that it's the surest way that will bring scour to our lives and unbundled our nation from the economic turbulent as a result of the current trying period. 

According to him "we are celebrating the birthday of our exalted Prophet Muhammad (SAW), but it's compulsory upon all Muslims to reflect on his virtues and teachings as well as follow his examples in all our daily activities". "We should also imbibe the lessons of His preaching on compassion, peace and love for one another" the Minister added.

"Our progress depends on how we implement the teaching of our noble Prophet who teaches mankind how to live with one another in peace. It is a duty bound upon all Nigerian Muslims to operate according to the teaching and dictate of Islamic principles for the betterment of our country." 

Minister Gwarzo, therefore called on all stakeholders to recommit themselves towards President Bola Ahmad Tinubu's transformation process of the country. He added that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is determined to ensure that every Nigerian gets access to affordable, safe and dignified housing.

Sep

10

2024

Dangiwa Advocates Adoption of Green, Sustainable, Climate Smart Housing

…says collaboration with IFC EDGE will unlock green solutions, financing

Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has made a case for the adoption of green, sustainable, and climate smart housing designs and technologies in the country's housing industry, charging professionals in the sector to be innovative and ingenious.

Speaking at the 2024 Archibuilt Exposition organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Tuesday September 10th 2024 at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, the Minister urged the institute and other built professionals to find alternative and sustainable solutions to the housing needs in Nigeria.

"We have seen transformative ideas presented at previous expositions, from using sustainable building materials to energy-efficient designs, water conservation techniques, and zero-emission construction technologies. The ongoing conversations will shape the future of construction in Nigeria and resonate globally. Innovation, built on technology and equitable resource utilisation models, is what we need" he said 

The Minister highlighted the critical role of Architects in achieving the SDG -11 which calls for sustainable cities and communities, stating that Architects hold the power to design urban spaces that are inclusive, resilient, and adaptive to the needs of the future.

"  We must ask ourselves: How can we ensure that the cities we build are not only environmentally sustainable but also inclusive and socially equitable? How can we foster urban ecosystems that promote healthy living, economic development, and environmental stewardship but yet groundbreaking enough?" He asked.

He also urged Architects to rise to the occassion on the issues of rapid rural-urban migration and astronomic population growth which will put strain on infrastructure, stating that African States have struggled to respond to the challenges of rapid rural-urban migration and the surging population estimated to hit 2.5 billion by the year 2050, which Nigeria alone was said to account for over 400 million, ranking her the 3rd largest country globally.

"As Architects, how do we respond to this scenario of an ever-increasing strain on our natural resources? ,he asked 

Accordingly, the Minister noted that, the answer lies in African states to deploy homegrown solutions with core innovation and begin to interrogate current and future needs.

On the use of local and indigenous materials as a way of preserving cultural identity, he said " optimizing the use of local materials like bamboo, laterite and compressed earth blocks will help to reduce carbon footprints, while maintaining the structural integrity of our buildings… Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable housing, infrastructure, and urban development,"

He also revealed that the 3,112 Karsana Renewed Hope City and all designs for the other six Renewed Hope Cities in each of the six geo-political zones are currently undergoing the process of EDGE Green Certification, assuring that the focus on Green practices across the Renewed Hope Estates being developed nationwide will lead to the creation of the largest green footprint in the history of housing development in the country and perhaps Africa.

The Minister also reiterated efforts by the Ministry to establish six Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs, one in each of the nation's geopolitical zones, adding that the Task Team set up to draw up the modalities for their establishment have recently submitted their report which is being reviewed for implementation.

Other dignitaries at the event include former Vice President and Special Guest of Honour, Arc. Namadi Sambo, who called for the need to reimagine cities not just as a static collective but as a dynamic ecosystem that should change with the times. 

"We must invest in cities that promote mobility, reduce congestion, and improve the quality of lives of the people. We must also focus on mixed-used neighborhoods that promote togetherness," he said.

Arc Sambo urged the Architects to set up a think-tank that would periodically update the Minister of Housing on innovations for the sector that are practical and implementable for the growth of the housing sector, especially through the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing.

Earlier, the President of Nigerian Instituteof Architects, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi said that the event will showcase cutting-edge products, ideas, and technologies that will redefine the built environment, noting that the goal is to explore the intersection between architecture, technology, and innovation.

Sep

07

2024

FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE CULTURE CHANGE SONG AND VIDEO REINTRODUCED

The Culture Change Song and Video previously launched in the Federal Civil has been reintroduced to drive the ongoing Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP)-25 reforms in the Nigerian Civil Service. 

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, unveiled the Change Song and Video at a Retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries held in  Suleja, Niger State from Thursday 5th to Saturday, 7th September, 2024, 

She said the culture change Song and Video are expected to drive and accelerate the critical reforms in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service and act as a unifying force that will strengthen the culture of an efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-centred (EPIC) Public Service.

Mrs Walson-Jack said, “This Song, a source of pride and inspiration, will  also serve as a  “clarion call and rallying point for all Federal Civil Servants, uniting us in our shared mission to drive the reforms, boost productivity, and deliver excellent service to Nigerian citizens.” 

She explained further that the change Song and Video will inspire Federal Civil Servants to exhibit professionalism, courtesy, and respect in their work and interactions with colleagues and the public, making them the change Nigerians want to see.

The release of the Federal Civil Service Song marks the beginning of a journey in which every Federal Civil Servant will play a crucial role in the culture change and change management,  aimed at promoting values reorientation, transparency, accountability and a culture of integrity. 

For further information, please contact:

Eno Olotu (Mrs) mnipr
Head, Information and Public Relations
Phone Number: 09932450295
Email: olotueno2017@gmail.com

Please click the link below for the Federal Civil Service Culture Change theme song

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NywkPvyYBxT0HqUAgCKDdEw2JwjzxLST/view?usp=sharing 

Please click on the link below for the Federal Civil Service Culture Change video

https://youtu.be/siRjPvkX2PQ?si=INyDYrSuJcqq4xv2

Sep

04

2024

The Honourable Minister Of State For Housing And Urban Development, His Excellency Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, Leads Ministry Team At Africa Urban Forum In Addis Ababa

His Excellency Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, the Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, led a team from the Ministry to the Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The forum's theme, "Sustainable Urbanization for Africa's Transformation," aligns with the Ministry's commitment to addressing urbanization challenges in Nigeria.

During the forum, the Minister engaged with other African leaders, stakeholders, and experts to discuss innovative solutions and strategies for sustainable urban development. He shared Nigeria's experiences and best practices in addressing urbanization challenges, highlighting the Ministry's efforts to provide affordable housing, improve urban planning, and enhance livability in cities.

The Minister's participation in the Africa Urban Forum demonstrates Nigeria's dedication to regional and global cooperation in achieving sustainable urban development and housing for all. The forum provided a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking among African countries, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Aug

23

2024

Dangiwa Caps One Year of Stellar Performance with Historic Housing Advisory and Development Partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and leading Pan-African housing finance institution, Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) yesterday signed a historic Joint Expression of Intent to partner towards the actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration for housing and urban development. 

The groundbreaking partnership represents the Ministry's first direct collaboration with a multilateral institution to build homes for Nigerians under the Ministry’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme. Under the framework, Shelter Afrique Development will provide advisory services and financing to competent developers, with an initial goal of delivering 5,000 housing units in the pilot phase. 

This was a key highlight at the Ministerial Briefing to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and the Hon. Minister of State, HE Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo which held at the NAF Conference Center in Abuja, Thursday 22nd August 2024. 

Arc. Dangiwa noted that the collaboration with Shelter Afrique Development aligns with the Ministry's strategy of leveraging bi-lateral and multi-lateral housing development financial institutions to expand access to decent and affordable housing to Nigerians given the limited budgetary allocation versus the quantum of resources needed to tackle Nigeria's housing deficit. 

"There is a massive and historic mismatch between the housing and urban development needs of our country versus budgetary provision. From research, Nigeria's population of over 220million with a growth rate of 2.5% p.a. requires about 550,000 units p.a. over the next ten years to meet the housing deficit. Conservatively this would require about N5.5trillion Per Annum to fix. This requires a more expansive and innovative housing finance approach and the partnership Shelter Afrique Development Bank at this stage of its transformation is a key step in this direction. We thank the Managing Director, Mr. Thierno Hann for his leadership and look forward to finalizing and getting the projects off the ground", he said. 

Key aspect of the partnership framework includes ShafDB providing advisory services to the Ministry to structure affordable, solvent, ecological, and sustainable housing projects in major cities, as well as assisting the Ministry in raising funds for: 

1.    Development of Nigeria's Housing and Urban Development Partnership Strategy (CHUPS) by supporting the Ministry in conducting a comprehensive assessment of the housing sector market integration in Nigeria. This will be achieved through the implementation of Shelter Afrique's "VIRAL" model, aimed at expanding the availability of large-scale, affordable.

2.    Structuring of PPP transaction: Shelter Afrique will provide advisory services to assist the Ministry in developing a market-attractive public-private partnership (PPP) transaction model for large-scale affordable housing programs and urban renewal projects. This model will target a minimum of 5,000 affordable and quality housing units, with the potential for nationwide replication.

3.    Identification and selection of Private Partner Participants: Shelter Afrique will provide advisory services to assist the Ministry in identifying and selecting one or more strategic private sector partners (PSPs) with demonstrated expertise in the development, financing, construction, marketing, and maintenance of the PPP project.

4.    Capacity Building: Shelter Afrique will provide advisory services to the Ministry through training programs, workshop seminars, policy development, and technical assistance to ensure the strengthening of the institutions' capacity and capabilities to address housing challenges and promote sustainable urban development across Nigeria.

In his response, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of ShafDB, Mr. Thierno Habib Hann stated that the event indicates the Bank's readiness to support Nigeria's housing development goals. 

"This development represents a landmark and historic milestone in Shelter Afrique Development Bank's partnership with Nigeria for advisory services and financing of developers towards the construction of 5,000 affordable units to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Ministry for housing and urban development. This is the first time in the history of the Ministry that we will be signing a framework for partnership. It is these kinds of partnerships that the Bank was set", he noted while commending Arc. Dangiwa for his proactive and progressive approach to leadership that made it possible.

Reflecting on a year of accomplishments, the Hon Minister Dangiwa outlined key achievements in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda, including increasing stock of affordable under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme with groundbreaking for 6,612 housing units nationwide, launch of an online housing portal to ease homeownership, expansion of the Ministry's Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme with projects in over 26 sites nationwide, fast tracking sale and occupation of the housing units under the National Housing Programme. 

The construction of 6,612 housing units has already created jobs for an estimated 165,000 skilled and unskilled workers, with future plans to deliver 50,000 units expected to provide employment for 1.25 million Nigerians.

Arc. Dangiwa also noted that work is at an advanced stage on several other initiatives. This includes plans to establish the National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) to cater to the housing needs of low, no income and vulnerable Nigerians, partnership with the World Bank towards the implementation of a National Land Titling Programme to increase land formalization and unlock the potential of land as an economic resource for the government and Nigerians. 

On plans for the new year, Arc. Dangiwa said that he was optimistic that more progress would be made towards actualizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President for the sector. 

"As we move into the new year, I am hopeful that we will maintain the tempo of our activities and record more milestones towards actualizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for Housing and Urban Development. 

We plan to do groundbreaking for 2, 000 housing unit Renewed Hope Cities in Lagos, and 1,500 housing unit Renewed City in Kano through PPP and FMBN next month. We have also acquired land in Enugu and Borno where we plan to build a 2,000 housing unit Renewed Hope City in each location under a PPP arrangement. Other planned locations for the Cities include Nasarawa (2,000 units) and Rivers (2000 units). 

Overall, the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme now has footprints in the FCT and 12 states. Remaining 18 States. We are currently engaging the National Assembly and Stakeholders towards 2024 Supplementary budgetary provision to enable us kickstart the projects in those 18 remaining States. Most of them have already provided us with unencumbered land at no cost".

The Hon. Minister expressed gratitude to the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House Committees on Housing and Urban Development, for their continued support, as well as to the Ministry's agencies, staff, and members of the media.

Aug

20

2024

Dangiwa Inaugurates National Housing Data Committee 

   * Says fixing Nigeria's housing data problem, a top priority. 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has inaugurated a 13- member Steering Committee on the National Housing Data Centre in Nigeria, Tuesday, August 20th, 2024.

Speaking at the inauguration, Arc.Dangiwa stated that fixing Nigeria's housing data problem is a top priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He explained that the housing sector lack credible, scientific and verifiable data, that needs to be fixed, saying that without data the magnitude of the housing problem will not be known.

" Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for housing and urban development, fixing Nigeria’s housing data problem is a top priority. As the lead driver of Mr. President's vision in the sector, we are committed to working with all stakeholders to tackle this problem" Dangiwa stated.

The Minister also explained that decent and affordable housing is a catalyst for economic development, creates jobs  and alleviate poverty as no nation strive effectively or  enjoy peace and stability without having housing market that works efficiently and provides decent shelter for it's citizens. 

 
Dangiwa, among others listed some key deliverables of the Housing Data  Committee to include; development of the framework and modalities for setting up the National Housing Data Centre (NHDC); creating a framework for data gathering channels from the public and private Institutions and designing a framework for distributing housing data to Institutional and retail investors in the Nigerian financial market.

Other deliverables of the Committee also are; development of framework for data distribution to all participants in the housing market; establishment of the framework and timelines for setting up a mortgage exchange, and formulation of a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy.

The Minister urged the Committee to deliver the mandate within the time frame of twelve months with dedication and commitment.

Responding, the Co- Chair of the Committee, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Kehinde Ogundimu, expressed satisfaction with the initiative and thanked the Minister for the opportunity given to them to serve in that capacity.

Mr Ogundimu assured the minister of the commitment of the commitee members to do their best to deliver the assignment in order to achieve the national goal within the time frame.

Membership of the Housing Data Joint Steering Committee includes representatives from: Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (Chair), National Population Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, Family Homes Funds Limited, Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria, Housing Development Association of Nigeria, Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria, and Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria

Aug

15

2024

We are Commited to Driving Historic Housing Reforms  - Dangiwa 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc Ahnmed Musa Dangiwa has stated that the ministry under his watch is committed to driving historic housing reforms by increasing access to affordable housing for all Nigerians across all the group and income brackets.

Dangiwa stated this when the President and Chairman of Committee on Construction Projects and Infrastructure of the Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law, (NBA-SBL), Andrew Osemedua Edum, SAN paid him a courtesy visit, Wednesday,  August 14th, 2024 

The minister, who revealed that 80 percent of Nigerians are low income earners, explained that the four housing sector reform task teams initiated by the ministry upon his assumption of office were meant to position the ministry in a better stead to deliver it's Presidential mandate of increasing the stock of affordable housing for Nigerians 

The reform task teams listed by the minister were; Housing Institutions reform task team, Land reform task team, Building materials manufacturing hub, saying that their reports would soon be on stream for implementation to drive the housing sector.

The NBA- SBL Commitee is seeking collaboration with the ministry in Real Estate projects, Construction of Bridges and Rail lines as part of their inputs towards actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Arc. Dangiwa said the only way to make a sustainable difference is for all the key players in the housing value chain to be reformed, work optimally and deliver their mandates.

He further said it's not enough to build houses but to have a system that will work efficiently and to deliver results practically and maximally. "The ministry is ready to partner with you and all other relevant bodies"  He said.

The Minister told them about the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate programme which was launched with the groundbreaking performed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February, 2024, with 3,112 housing units in Karsana, Abuja. 

Accordingly, he added that both the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates have commerced in all the six geopolitical zones of the Country, and is creating job opportunities to the Nigerian youths. 

Arc Dangiwa also informed the Committe that, plans are underway for National Social Housing Funds to mobilize, also to administer and allocate affordable, decent and accessible houses for those who doesn't have an income, the low income earners, homeless, vulnerables and underprivileged in the society, saying, the funds will be sourced from the fuel subsidy removal  and profits after tax.

The Minister expressed satisfaction for the initiatives of the NBA-SBL Committee and assured them of his readiness to partner with them, as the ministry is also partnering with National Skills Acquisition programme and National Population Commission. 

He assured a better housing programme in Nigeria if all the housing agencies work together to deliver their mandates.

On the challenge of building collapse,  Dangiwa disclosed that "there is going to be a checklist to monitor and prosecute any building collapse in Nigeria'" 

Earlier speaking,  the President and Chairman of the NBA-SBL Committee, Andrew Osemedua Edum, SAN, said, they came to seek Institutional Collaboration with the ministry.

He used the occasion to invite the Honourable Minister to attend the Second National Conference on Construction Projects and Infrastructure as a guest to deliver a key note address at the conference.

The conference is scheduled to take place from November 27th to 30th, November, 2024. at Abuja Continental Hotel, with the theme " Making Construction Projects and Infrastructure Better in Nigeria" 

My Edum further said the conference will tackle some of the issues confronting the building industry especially the menace in building collapse in Nigeria, Real Estate and Financing.

He said all relevants stakeholders have been invited from both Federal and State level, local and international.
 

Aug

10

2024

Housing Perm Sec, Ogunbiyi Assures Staff of Better Days Ahead 

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, has assured staff of the ministry of better days ahead. 

He gave this assurance, Friday,  August 9th, 2024, during his interaction with the staff of the ministry to brief them on the ongoing transformational projects lined up for execution in the ministry.

Dr. Ogunbiyi told the staff that the challenges of office and parking space, and that of electricity and water supplies would soon be a thing of the past as the ministry was already addressing them assiduously. 

" Very soon all those issues will be a thing of the past as concrete and deliberate  measures have been put in place to ensure an enhanced and conducive working environment is provided " he stated 

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the ministry will soon take possession of one of it's office building that has been occupied by another ministry to provide additional space for the staff. 

He also mentioned that staff training and welfare would be a priority under his watch in order to encourage and motivate the teaming staff for high performance and productivity 

While appreciating members of staff for their patience and perseverance in the discharge of their duties under the circumstances, Dr Ogunbiyi stated that "No pain No gain" as there would be a greater value rewards for hard work in the service.
 

Aug

08

2024

Ministry of Housing to Assist Nigerian Airforce Acquire Affordable Houses for Officers 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has assured the Nigerian AirForce of the readiness of the  Ministry to provide  housing units to its personnel under the National Housing Program (NHP) at subsidized rates.

The Minister disclosed this when the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, led a delegation of key officers from NAF on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.

While appreciating the dedication of the Nigerian Airforce to providing security and protection of sovereignty of the nation, the Minister reiterated the obligation of the ministry to provide affordable housing for all class of Nigerians, covering low, middle and high level income earners. 

He stated "As the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, we recognize the importance of providing suitable housing for members of the Nigerian Airforce. We assure our commitment to working with you towards meeting the needs of our Airforce." 

Dangiwa noted that the leadership of the Ministry under the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided various options to enable Nigerians become home owners, saying that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Karsana, Abuja 
is one opportunity available to Nigerians for home ownership 

According to him, the program which aims at providing 50,000 affordable housing to Nigerians nationwide under phase 1,  has started in 13 locations of the country with the Cities in Abuja to contain 3112 Units, 500 units in Kano state under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, and 1,500 units ongoing in Lagos, in partnership with Federal Mortgage Bank Nigeria (FMBN).

Dangiwa also explained that construction of houses was currently ongoing in 12 locations across the nation, two states in each geopolitical zones of the country where lands were provided and currently at various level of completion  

Similarly the Minister highlighted the various purchasing options available to potential buyers to include; Outright, Rent -to - own, instalmental and mortgage loan with a single digit interest payable under 30 years period.

To ensure seamless accessibility in acquiring the houses Dangiwa added that the ministry has launched Renewed Hope Housing  Portal

Speaking on the  National Housing Program (NHP) constructed by the previous administration in the 30 states of the federation,  Dangiwa explained, the houses have been advertised and have been over subscribed, saying also that the ownership option plans made available to prospectus buyers also include; outright purchase  installmental payment, mortgage loan as well as rent-to-own.

Responding to the request for the National Housing in Bauchi, the Minister said, “We are ready to offer the whole estate in Bauchi to the Nigerian Air Force at a discounted rate to offer installmental payments as the chief of Air staff deems fit to pay"

The minister directed the Permanent Secretary to coordinate the teams from both the Ministry and the Airforce to undertake  an  assessment tour of the NHP site in Bauchi state in order to facilitate a speedy process of acquisition, giving assurance,  the discounts will cover the cost of repairs for some of the houses that have become dilapidated.

On appeal to engage the Nigerian Airforce Investment Limited Housing and Construction Company,  the Minister gave assurance that the company would be considered for the next procurement bid since the Ministry has just concluded its procurement process.

While expressing his elation on the Post- Service Housing pursuit of the Nigeria Airforce for its personnel, Dangiwa acknowledged the gesture as a welfare that could  boost the morale for both serving and soon to retire officers.

He said, "we want to offer you the National House Programme across  the country and the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities across the country," suggesting Nigeria Airforce could purchase their preferences either by outright purchase or instalmental thereafter make deductions from the pensions of beneficiary to recoup the money.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Air Staff,  Air Marshal Bala Abubarkar, while commending the Minister for the achievement recorded so far under his leadership,  said they were in the ministry to seek collaboration on providing affordable houses for Airforce personnel covering both the officers in service and post -service.

Air Marshall Abubakar told the Minister that they also came to appeal for the NHP Bauchi housing units to either be given to Nigeria Airforce free or sold to them at a discounted rate with friendly payment terms, as acquiring it will go a long way to enhance the "operational readiness of the force.

Tge Chief of Air Staff also requested collaboration with the Ministry on engaging the Nigeria  Airforce Investment Limited Housing and Construction Company in the ongoing construction of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate projects across the country, affirming the company  has handled several civil works and construction of houses such as the one the force has in Asokoro.
 

Aug

01

2024

Dangiwa Charges Housing Agencies on Performance towards Achieving Ministerial Mandate 

... We would deliver our ministerial deliverables to make housing ministry proud - MDs FHA, FMBN

Minister of Housing and Urban Development  Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has charged the leadership of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to be more creative and innovative in order to achieve their ministerial mandate 

Dangiwa gave the charge during the formal performance review meeting with the Management Teams of the agencies; the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA)

The performance review meeting was aimed at enhancing performance in achieving the mandate of the ministry as it relates its ministerial deliveries inline with the performance contract agreement.  

At the review meeting, the leadership of the FMBN and FHA presented their ministerial deliverables in line with the Performance Management System reform of the Office of the Head of the Service of the Federation and will be signing the Performance Contract with the Minister.

Minister Dangiwa recalled the charge he gave the two agencies upon their appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this year to be creative,  innovative as well as transformative in order to enhance their performances.

The FHA was charged to come up with innovative ideas, explore avenues to source funds that could help them deliver millions of housing units in the next 50 years as against the 50,000 it has provided over the past 50 years.

Similarly, the FHA was charged to go to the capital market, issue bonds and raise funds to deliver mass housing project nationwide, as well as market the houses, thereafter repay the loans and also declare profit.

He warned that lack of funds would not be an excuse fior FHA not to meet up on its ministerial deliverables, advising that they visit the FMBN and leverage on inter-agency collaboration for construction loan.

To the FMBN, the Minister reminded the team of his emphasis on innovation and transformation, saying that the bank must lead a new era of massive housing development and delivery, notwithstanding the challenging times of high construction costs and lower incomes; “This requires a radically new mindset, thinking outside the box, and identifying the opportunities these challenges present”, he stated 

On ongoing projects handled by the FMBN, Dangiwa gave a warning that the ministry will not tolerate abandoned and uncompleted projects, while seeking for approval for the new ones.

"Better know that we will not allow you to create more projects without completing the existing ones," he said 

Dangiwa emphasised that the completion of abandoned project is key to the bank's accomplishment, noting " when you complete them, invite us to commission them they will add to your deliverables."

The Minister stated his expectation for FMBN to push strongly for legislative amendments to relevant housing industry laws, including the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act, 1992, and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Establishment Act, 1993.

He also urged the team to work on the long overdue digitalization of its entire product and service portfolio, pointing out that the world is in an era where Nigerians should be able to register and subscribe to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme, and apply for FMBN products such as home renovation loans and individual construction loans.

While acknowledging the current inflation in the country, the minister advised the housing agencies  to rescope their buildings by leaving out the non essentials fittings like tilling and PoP as it will not only save cost but make them affordable for Nigerians to buy.

Accordingly,  the Minister expressed readiness in providing the necessary leadership to help the agencies achieve their mandates, this according to him was demonstrated when he spoke to the leadership of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) to meet the agencies in order to explore partnership opportunities and funding sources.

Dangiwa further itemized the targets set for the both agencies, for the FMBN: the delivery at least 5,000 new homes annually, with a significant portion through the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, disbursement of mortgage loans to at least 20,000 Nigerians annually, requiring quicker turnaround times and more efficient customer service, increase in National Housing Fund (NHF) collection by expanding the subscription net to include more Nigerians.

Others are speedy roll out of the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme to facilitate an increase in NHF collection and provide more houses to Nigerians and Maintenance of an up-to-date audited accounts and corporate stability to facilitate fruitful cooperation with financing institutions like Shelter Afrique Development Bank

And for the FHA, demonstration of more flexibility and innovation in operations, obtaining more funding from the capital market by issuing bonds to deliver mass housing projects across the country, market them, repay the loans, and declare profit, delivery of a minimum of 5,000 houses annually to Nigerians.

Other targets for the FHA are to make judicious use of its license to operate across all income segments in the government's broad strategy to deliver housing to Nigerians, as well as taking advantage of its status as an agency without budgetary allocations to be inventive, partnering with credible investors and local and international financing partners to deliver more houses to Nigerians.

Knowing the importance of ministerial deliverables in relation to the performance contract, the Mnister later directed the Planning, Research and Statistics department, PRS, of the ministry to engage the agencies on a quarterly basis so as to ensure they are not deviating from their ministerial deliverables.

He also mandated the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) of the ministry to meet with FHA team in order to guide them so that they will know what is expected of them before the signing of the Performance Contract.  

“The Ministry will keep track and monitor your progress on a year-to-year basis; your KPIs are the only things that matter because we have a responsibility to Nigerians, and we cannot afford to fail”, he stated

Presentating his agency's deliverables, the MD, Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, noted that FHA has an ongoing direct construction of 336 housing units and one office at the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, as well as 820 housing projects under a private public partnership (PPP) and direct construction, at the Apo/Guzape area of the FCT, informing that the agency would be ready to commission about 1000 houses by December, 2024.

He also spoke about the deployment and operationalization of Enterprise Content Management System (ECM), informing that there are 350 staff with licensed access to ECM, and 50 staff being provided with official laptops.

On his part, the MD FMBN, Alh Shehu Usma Osidi, enumerated some of the targets and deliverables of the bank, saying that the bank has delivered 810 and 741 housing units respectively, for the first and second quarters of year 2024 out of the quarterly target of 1,800 units. He also stated that the Bank intends to complete ongoing projects simultaneously with new ones in the third quarter.

Alhaji Osidi further mentioned other deliverables to include; 3,674 persons benefitting from the mortgage loans, establishment a National  Mortgage Registry and the commencement of the digitalization of the bank's products.

The Managing Directors FMBN and FHA,  Dr.Usman Shehu Osidi and Hon Oyetunji Ojo, respectively, assured  the Minister of doing their utmost best to deliver on their mandates and ministerial deliverables, saying they will make him proud.

Jul

26

2024

Housing Ministry, World Bank Collaborate on National Land Documentation, Titling Programme.

*  move can unlock $300 Billion in Dead Capital

* Sues for establishment of National Land Commission to operationalise Land Use Act

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to partner with the World Bank Group towards conducting a National Land Documentation and Titling Programme in the country.

Speaking at the Workshop Nigerian Livable Cities organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the World Bank, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, said the move has become necessary to explore the potential of land as an economic asset which is yet to be fully tapped by the country.

The event, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, was aimed at fostering understanding and mapping out modalities towards the successful implementation of the World Bank’s Urban Livability and Mobility programme in Nigeria.

 "It is a comprehensive initiative that encompasses sub-programs that are very important to us. This includes housing and land management, urban services delivery, climate change action, urban management and finance, and transportation," Dangiwa noted.

In the area of land, he deferred to statistics which show that less than 10% of land in Nigeria is registered and has titles. "As a result, landowners cannot easily leverage land as an economic asset. This is sad and unfortunate. As part of our land reforms we are exploring a partnership with the World Bank towards the implementation of a National Land Registration and Titling Programme.

"Through this programme, we aim to partner with State Governments towards improving land formalisation from less than 10% to 50% in the next ten years. This is critical to unlocking over $300bn in dead capital. We have already worked on a draft framework for the programme and I have directed the Ministry’s focal persons and Consultant to share with the World Bank Group so we can begin the process towards adoption and implementation," he said.

He added that the programme is an  important component in the Ministry's land reforms strategy and will complement the Ministry’s plans to set up a National Land Commission to operationalize the Land Use Act.

The Nigeria Urban Livability and Mobility Programmatic Analytics and Advisory Services (ULM PASA) was launched by the World Bank to provide the Federal and State governments with technical support to improve the design and implementation of development policies and programs in selected Nigerian cities to enhance their livability, competitiveness and resilience.

To this end, the Minister said "the workshop provides a platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships that will propel our cities towards sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth. We must harness the power of collaboration and leverage the expertise and experience of the World Bank to develop innovative solutions that address the multifaceted problems facing our cities."

Dangiwa took out time to reel out the efforts of the Federal Government towards developing livable and sustainable cities, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme which aims to deliver 50,000 housing units in the first phase. 

He explained "Our cities, once strongholds of economic growth and social progress, are now grappling with an array of complexities: rapid urbanization, infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation, climate change, housing deficit, poor service delivery and social inequality. These challenges, while daunting, also present immense opportunities for innovation and transformation.

Accordingly, the Minister stated also that establishing new cities and estates provides an opportunity for deliberate planning and designing of urban spaces that are not only beautiful in addition to landscape, but also promote efficiency and sustainability.

Stating further " This is more so given the climate challenges that we face in ensuring that the housing sector contributes its quota to helping our country meet its green gas reduction targets. At the Ministry, we believe that implementing green building techniques, efficient waste management, and creating green spaces can contribute to a healthier and more environmentally friendly urban landscape”.

The World Bank Task Team Leader, Fuad Malkawi, presented the preliminary findings of the World Bank analytical review of Nigerian cities which he said were at the risk of disaster exposure due to inadequate infrastructure and basic social services as a result of rapid growth.

The workshop had two panel discussion sessions on; key priorities of state governments to improve Urban Livability and on Institutional Constrains to Improving Urban Livability.

Participants at the workshop include states' commissioners and senior government officials responsible for lands, environment and housing matters.

States that attended the workshop were; Anambra, Abia, Edo, Kaduna. Kano,  Lagos, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau 

The main objective was helping Nigerian cities to become more livable through collaborative deliberation on key urban policies, challenges, and institutional barriers hindering the effective implementation of urban development programs at the state and city levels.

Recommendations presented at the end of the workshop include; addressing the challenges of inaccurate data, reducing pressure on existing services due to rapid urban growth through adequate urban planning, controlling development along flood plains, developing programmes in line with government policies to drive urban livability, investing in climate smart infrastructure and services through prioritization process, and facilitating the review of the Land Use Act 1978 (1999 as amended).

Others are the development of a Drainage Master Plan for flood control, and a National Urban Programme to operationalize the National Urban Development Policy, the creation of City Administrations by State Governments backed by political will and Legal framework and improving their roles in service delivery, as well as integrating disaster resilience and early warning systems with State development plans, among others.

Jul

25

2024

We are Set to Deliver 1000 Housing Units In Five Months Time - Dangiwa 

… says housing ministry can generate N300bn from sale of houses in two years 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development has disclosed that 1000 housing units of the Renewed Hope Cities is slated to be delivered by the end of the year, with the other units to be delivered by mid next year for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the pilot phase of the project in Karsana Abuja.

The Minister made this disclosure while briefing the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, during their oversight visit to the Ministry.

He explained that a consortium of developers were contracted to deliver a total of 100,000 housing units all over the federation under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme, 20,000 units of which will be in Abuja with the pilot phase at Karsana to house 3112 housing units.

He also noted that the developers are to provide the financing for the units, the land and off-takers, while the Ministry guarantees their loan with bankable off-takers guarantee, to enable them access the finance.

Dangiwa made a comprehensive three dimensional presentation of the work ongoing at the Renewed Hope City site in Karsana to the Senate Committee, stating that the developers have accessed funding through Family Homes funds and other means, and are on site working to ensure they deliver in due time.

He informed that a steering committee comprising the honourable Ministers, the Permanent Secretary and the consortium of developers was set up, as well as a monitoring committee made up of officials from the Ministry, Federal Mortgage Bank, Family Home Funds, the developers and other institutions, who monitors the projects on a weekly basis.

The Minister during his briefing, presented some documents earlier requested by the Senate Committee to include: a comprehensive briefing of the activities of the Ministry, the budget performance of 2023 and 2024 appropriation act covering all budget lines including the 2023 supplementary budget act, a detailed implementation of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme.

Others are; detailed implementation of the Renewed Hope Urban Renewal and Slum upgrade programme, detailed progress report of the National Housing Programme Nationwide, a list of the federal government properties under the control of the Ministry Nationwide, details of partnership between the Ministry and the private sector or other public institution for urban development, amongst others.

While fielding questions from the journalists during the oversight visit, the Housing Minister was delighted to inform that the Senate Committee advocated for more funding for the Ministry to the tune of N500bn, further expressing hope that the Ministry can return up to N300bn to the coffers of government from the sale of houses in two years time, if given a budgetary allocation of N500bn.

He also noted with gladness that the ongoing efforts of the Ministry were highly appreciated by the Senate Committee, having done groundbreaking for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in 13 sites which is funded by the 2023 supplementary budget.

“We also took them through the public private partnerships that we are doing with some of the reputable developers to which Karsana is one of it where we are building 3112 unit; we have discussed also about the Slum Upgrade and Urban Renewal which cuts across 28 sites across the country. Most of these projects are almost completed and we are about to commence the 2024 budget”, he added.

On their part, the chairman of the committee on lands, housing and Urban Development Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, noted that their visit signaled the commencement of oversight activities of the committee for the 2023 supplementary and 2024 budget, pointing out that committees of the senate are saddled with the responsibility of oversighting the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies under them, as required under the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

He said that the 2023 supplementary budget has advanced, hence the need to visit the ministry and proceed to some sites where the appropriations are being implemented to see for themselves and access what is going on.

Tambuwal thanked the Minister for his cooperation, adding that it was in the interest of the country to make sure that monies appropriated are spent in accordance with extant laws and regulations.

He as well consented that more funds needs to be allocated to the Ministry giving that housing is one sector that will generally distribute wealth to the lowest of the low.

Jul

22

2024

REMARKS BY THE HON. MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA, AT THE ZOOM MEETING WITH HER EXCELLENCY, DR. SANIA A. ANSARI, CHAIRPERSON, ANSARI GROUP LTD, UAE, ON MONDAY JULY 22, 2024

Protocols:

- Your Excellency, Dr. Sania A. Ansari, Chairperson, Ansari Group

- Officials of the Ansari Group

      - Deputy Director, Middle East and Gulf Division,  Amb. Murtala Jimoh.

- The Hon. Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Alh. Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo.

- The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi

- Directors, Special Assistants, and other Ministry staff on this Zoom Meeting.

1. First, I would like to thank Her Excellency, Dr. Sania A. Ansari, and her team for setting up this meeting. We were supposed to have held this meeting in person earlier but it could not take place but I am happy that we are here today to engage.
2. I want to assure your Excellency, that at the Ministry we consider partnerships, bi/multilateral collaborations, and private sector engagements as key ingredients to success.
3. This is because we need them to boost our efforts to address Nigeria’s housing and urban challenges, increase access to affordable housing across all income groups, and ensure that the sector maximally contributes to the Renewed Hope Vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a $1 trillion economy and lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
4. We are keen to partner with Ansari Group because of the wealth of experience, technical and financial capacity that it possesses. We are aware that you have over 25 years of experience in the global financing industry, built relationships with investors and raised billions of dollars across all sectors of the economy, including real estate.
5. We are also aware that you have a partnership with the United Nations Habitat Settlement Programme in its bid to launch the SDG 1,000 Cities by 2030, which aims to impact 1,000 lives at an estimated cost of over $4 trillion. We want to say that this UN initiative aligns perfectly with our own goal to provide sustainable and inclusive urban development across Nigeria.
6. As articulated in the New Urban Agenda, “Cities can be massive agents of positive change if they are well-planned, built, and governed.” They can act as catalysts for inclusion and powerhouses of equitable economic growth.
7. However, achieving this potential often has its many challenges. Critical issues such as inadequate data, ineffective urban governance systems, limited capacities in urban planning, and insufficient funding impede the realization of sustainable urbanization.
8. It is against this background that our Ministry is implementing the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme which His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched in February, 2024. Under this initiative, we plan to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria in Phase One. The Cities will have 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geo-political zones and the FCT, while the Estates will have 250 housing units per site in the remaining thirty (30) states. So far we have done groundbreaking for two Renewed Hope Cities (FCT and Kano), and Renewed Hope Estates in twelve States (Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Benue, Nasarawa, Oyo, Katsina, Yobe, Gombe and Sokoto) making a total of 6,612 homes.
9. We have designed the Renewed Hope Cities as integrated living communities targeting all income brackets. They comprise one-bedroom blocks of flats, two-bedroom blocks of flats, and three-bedroom blocks of flats; two-, three-, and four-bedroom terraces; four-bedroom duplexes; and five-bedroom duplexes.
10. On the other hand, we have conceptualized the Renewed Hope Estates to cater to low- and medium-income earners. They comprise one-, two-, and three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows. To enhance affordability and ease of offtake, we used organic designs where one bedroom can be expanded to two-bedrooms and three-bedrooms as the income of beneficiaries increases over time.
11. I am pleased to inform you that we have incorporated sustainable design measures to ensure that the cities and estates are climate smart and environmentally friendly.
12. The funding for these projects will come from a mix of sources, including the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s budgetary allocation, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers. We look forward to the Ansari Group coming on board as a major PPP partner.
13. We have also made cross-subsidy a key part of our efforts to enhance affordability for low-medium income earners to foster integrated living. Under this concept, the housing units built in the Renewed Hope Cities will be sold at commercial rates while a substantial percentage will be sold at concessionary rates to low- and medium-income Nigerians.
14. The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme is a necessity to tackle Nigeria’s rapid population growth, meet the rising demand for housing and urban infrastructure, congestion, and strained infrastructure.
15. It is also designed as a catalyst for economic growth. The construction and development of these new areas will generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and attract investments. The 50,000 housing units that we plan to deliver under Phase One will create 1,250,000 direct and indirect construction jobs. This is in addition to the value chain effects of purchasing, supplying building materials, and businesses around the construction sites.
16. As you may be aware, Nigeria has a 200million population with an annual growth rate of 2.5 percent per annum. We have a huge housing deficit that requires us to build 550,000 housing units per annum over the next ten years. This requires about N5.5Trillion Annually (equivalent of about $300bn USD).
17. The 50,000 units we plan to deliver under phase one of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme is relatively ambitious but small when compared to the size of the problem and the quantum of resources required. That is why we are looking to PPPs and collaborations with organizations such as yours that we can leverage to bridge the gap.
18. Also, in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that all Nigerians, including those with no income, vulnerable, and underprivileged groups, have access to decent and dignified accommodation, we are working to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF). We believe that access to decent shelter is not only a necessity but a human right, and that all Nigerians across all income segments deserve a decent home to live and grow.
19. The National Social Housing Fund is very important in our plans to increase access to decent housing to Nigerians and will also appreciate your Group’s partnership towards making it a reality and creating impact. As you may be aware, Nigeria is a low-income country with weak purchasing power. In fact, 85% of Nigeria’s 43m households have less than N1.1M purchasing power per annum (equivalent of $730USD): (17.2m fall into poverty-income group; 20.2m fall into the low-income group). This large group of Nigerians lack the financial capacity to own homes based on market rates and even through existing government programmes such as the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme.
20. Our government has realised that the only practical strategy to tackling this challenge is through a TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE and IMPACT-DRIVEN social housing system that blends budgetary allocation, PPPs, donations from charity and philantropic organizations, corporate social responsibility.
21. We would therefore appreciate a partnership with you in this regard particularly towards accessing concessionary funding from investors, donations, grants from charity organizations and philantrophic bodies.
22. Another equally important area of interest to our country and the Ministry is encouraging the local manufacture of building materials. We plan to establish one building materials manufacturing hubs in each of the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. We envision the Manufacturing hubs to have proper infrastructure including access to uninterrupted power, linkage roads, housing etc. This is still in line with our goal to lower the cost of housing construction, enhance access to homeownership, create local jobs and boost economic development.
23. We are currently exploring potential partners and investors that we can work with to set the Building Manufacturing Hubs and would also like your support in this regard.
24. I have taken time to go through these key initiatives to establish clarity on the key areas of need for a possible collaboration and partnership between the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ansari Group. As a government, we are clear on what we want to do and are making efforts.
25. As an international global firm, we would like to partner with the Ansari Group in the areas of technical capacity building, raising concessionary financing for the expansion of our Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, implementation our National Social Housing Fund and establishment of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across the country.
26. Once again, I would like to thank Her Excellency, Dr. Sania A. Ansari for setting up this meeting.
27. I really hope that at the end of the deliberations in this meeting we shall come up with an actionable document that helps us to achieve our goals of building affordable, sustainable and environmentally friendly cities and communities as well as tackling systemic challenges that have worked against housing development in our dear country, Nigeria.
28. Thank you.