A Tribute to Arc Dangiwa on his 63rd Birthday.

By Adamu Aminu. 

The day I first set my eyes on the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, was in November 2024, when we attended the 13th event of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, held in Gombe. 

We went there as part of the entourage of my Principal, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata. 

That day, I started getting acquainted with his official personality as a Minister of the honourable Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, where he delivered a keynote address during the 4-day event, branded with the theme: "Housing the Future; Affordable Housing For Economic Growth, Climate Resilience and Urban Development."

What I really observed in Minister Dangiwa during the event was a man going about his duties with administrative confidence in his actions and movements. 

His facial demeanour wore a half-smile and partly seriousness, with telepathic flashes of understanding conveyed through subtle cues and movements. 

During the presentation of the report and deliberations, I first understood that the Hon. Minister Dangiwa's cherry-picking responses, observations, and recommendations were really intriguing to me. 

He speaks with expertise, professionally, volubly, and with convincing fluidity – that's expected from any man of his calibre while communicating with his listening audience.

During the February 2025 Sector Retreat in Lagos, my expectations of the Hon. Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, were exceeded as he presented his keynote address at the Lagos event with the theme: "Actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda For Housing and Urban Development: Examining Strategies, Identifying Opportunities to Boost Scale and Impact." 

I was impressed by how his professional and naturally-driven confidence prompted a surreal imagination in me to be in his shoes in my future endeavours.

Likewise, in November last year, a Conference of Directors of Lands event was held in Kano, and also at the recent 14th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, held in Ilorin, Kwara State, I became a keen observer and a distant learner of Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa's mode of voluble presentation, seeking to emulate and internalise his naturally-driven mode of public speaking. 

As a result, I have become verbally accustomed to the word "deliverables," which the Hon. Dangiwa often uses when commenting on actualising the Housing Scheme's of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

As a wise saying goes, "God's actions are embedded with concealed rationale." I later realised that the appointment of my Principal, the Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, leading to my appointment as his Special Assistant on Media, was a divine rationality for me to be in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to meet fresh faces that would give me a new lease of life, in terms of intellectual-driven purposes, and to make acquaintance with new faces.

Unarguably, Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa is known as a man of principles, but despite that, he exhibits the trait of simplicity, according everyone he meets human respect. 

That's why I feel elated whenever I greet him; he always responds to me smilingly and says, "Adamu S.A., barka da aiki." 

This is synonymous with a proverb which says, "The company of good people is like walking through a garden of roses; you may not notice it at first, but you'll always come out smelling sweet."

Sir, in a nutshell, I pray and hope that God Almighty gives you, and the Minister of State, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the strength and capability to deliver on your promises on this assignment, bound for generational impact under the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. 

I once again wish you a happy birthday, Sir, wishing you more fruitful years ahead and positive deliverables in an upward trajectory in your future endeavours.

Happy 63rd Birthday to our Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa fnia, fcib.

Dear Sir, we thank God for your life and celebrate you today. It has been a privilege working under your leadership and witnessing your steady, thoughtful approach to service, reform, and institution-building.

Your clarity of vision, calm leadership style, and commitment to doing things the right way continue to inspire us. We are grateful for your guidance and for the opportunity to contribute to the important work you are leading.

We wish you good health, continued strength, and many more years of impactful service to our nation. May this new year bring you joy, peace, and even greater accomplishments.

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

Protocols.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Protocol:

The Honourable Minister,

The Honourable Minister of State,

The Permanent Secretary,

Directors and Heads of Departments and Units,

Esteemed Resource Persons,

Distinguished Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I wish us all a productive and impactful retreat.

Thank you and God bless.