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

Protocols.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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