Dangiwa Holds Strategic Meeting with Kenyan Housing Minister
• Explores Partnership for Affordable Housing Delivery
Nairobi, Kenya, May 7, 2024 – The Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Development of Nigeria, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, yesterday met with his counterpart, Honorable Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing of Kenya, on the sidelines of the first session of the 2024 UN Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya as part of efforts to collaborate towards affordable housing delivery.
Addressing recent challenges faced by Kenya, Arc. Dangiwa conveyed the condolences of the government and people of Nigeria to the government and people of Kenya over the recent flooding experienced in the country. He affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to cooperating with Kenya in addressing environmental and climatic shocks affecting human settlements.
The Minister acknowledged Kenya’s contributions in matters of Human Settlements regarding Africa and commended the country for its continued efforts in championing topics of relevance for Africa. He expressed appreciation for Kenya’s support of Nigeria’s candidacy for the Chairmanship of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to effective, collaborative, and purposeful leadership.
“Madam Cabinet Secretary, Nigeria appreciates Kenya’s continued leadership in matters of Human Settlements on behalf of the continent, not only as host of the UN-Habitat Secretariat but also in championing topics of relevance for the continent. May I also express sincere appreciation for Kenya’s disposition to the Africa Group’s endorsement of Nigeria’s candidacy for the Chairmanship of the UN-Habitat Executive Board,” he said.
Arc. Dangiwa highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Kenya and Nigeria in advancing the objectives of UN-Habitat, particularly in the drafting and negotiating of key resolutions benefiting the continent. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing Africa's housing challenges, citing the significant roles played by both countries in the transformation of Shelter Afrique into the Shelter Afrique Development Bank.
In response, Cabinet Secretary Wahome pledged Kenya’s support for Nigeria’s chairmanship of UN-Habitat and expressed Kenya’s commitment to enhanced collaboration with Nigeria in tackling the continent’s housing challenges. She reiterated Kenya's readiness to work closely with Nigeria to strengthen UN-Habitat and Shelter Afrique Development Bank to maximize their impact.
The meeting concluded with both parties affirming their commitment to working together to ensure the balanced implementation of resolutions, particularly those addressing affordable housing, and to further strengthen the collaboration between Kenya and Nigeria for the benefit of Africa.
