Belgore Receives ARCON's Leadership, Pledges closer collaboration    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore has played host to the leadership of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) on a visit to the Ministry, pledging to work closely with them to move the housing sector forward.   Dr Belgore, in his remarks, affirmed the importance of  Architects in nation building, saying architects turned inhabitable sites to beautiful cities for human beings to live.    He expressed his happiness to the delegation, that the lingering disputes among the professional bodies in the built environment has been resolved amicably, adding that the housing sector was now professionally stronger to deliver services.   On the closer collaboration, Belgore stated "I understand that when it comes to any structure, building, architects are extremely important, therefore you can be assured of my cooperation."    While reminding them of the ministry's projects; such as the National Housing Program and the Renewed Hope Housing Projects, he told them that he would continue to seek more clarification from their end, assuring that the Ministry will work closely with them to succeed.   Comparing the current city of Abuja to what it was when it was first created as the Nigeria's capital, Dr Belgore said that Architects had turned a forest to a beautiful liveable city through their expertise, noting that their role in nation building was very visible for everyone to see.   Speaking earlier, the ARCON President, Arch. Dipo Ajayi, who led a high - powered delegation of architects from various fields, emphasized the importance of collaboration in transforming Nigeria’s built environment.   Arch Ajayi highlighted that tapping into the wealth of experience of the Permanent Secretary would significantly impact the architectural landscape, enabling growth and innovation.    " Collaborating with the Ministry and leveraging the Permanent Secretary's expertise will take architecture to new heights and redefine Nigeria’s landscape," he stated.   Reaffirming ARCON’s readiness to contribute, Arc. Ajayi expressed the council’s willingness to assist the Ministry in any capacity, urging the Permanent Secretary to empower architects by entrusting them with assignments that would allow them to execute and implement projects effectively.   "We are ready to support the Ministry in every possible way. We seek empowerment that will enable us to maximize our potential in executing and implementing architectural projects for national development," he added.   The meeting underscores ARCON’s dedication to fostering a strong partnership with the government to ensure architectural policies and projects align with the nation’s developmental goals. ...

Dangiwa Lauds Mr. President for FEC Approval of N31bn Access Road to Karsana Renewed Hope City   Abuja, Nigeria – Tuesday, February 4, 2025  – The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has extended his deepest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his bold vision for housing development and consistent support towards achieving the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda for housing and urban development.     This commendation follows the approval of N31.66 billion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the construction of a critical access road to the 3,112 Housing Unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The approval was granted during the FEC meeting held today, following the presentation of a memo by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bar. Nyesom Wike.     The memo was in line with the Presidential Directive issued last year during the launch of the Karsana Renewed Hope City project by President Tinubu. The directive emphasized the need for proper infrastructure and accessibility to all Renewed Hope Housing Project sites across the country.     Arc. Dangiwa described the approval as a significant milestone in the Tinubu administration’s efforts to address Nigeria’s housing deficit and ensure sustainable urban development. He noted that the construction of the access road will not only ease transportation to the Karsana Renewed Hope City but also open up the axis for rapid housing development and economic activities.     “This approval demonstrates Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to providing affordable housing for Nigerians and ensuring that all Renewed Hope Housing Projects are supported with the necessary infrastructure. The construction of this road will enhance accessibility to the Karsana Renewed Hope City, making it easier for Nigerians to benefit from this landmark housing project,” Arc. Dangiwa stated.     The Karsana Renewed Hope City is a flagship project under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, designed to deliver 3,112 housing units to Nigerians. The project is part of a broader strategy to bridge Nigeria’s housing gap and provide decent, affordable housing for all citizens.     The Honourable Minister also commended the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Bar. Nyesom Wike, for his diligence in presenting the memo and ensuring that the project aligns with the administration’s vision. He reiterated the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to deliver the Renewed Hope Housing Projects on time and to the highest standards.     The construction of the access road is expected to commence soon, with the project being closely monitored to ensure timely delivery.   ...

Housing Deficit a Big Opportunity for Transformative Change – Dangiwa    •    Advocates Public-Private Partnerships at the Saudi Arabia Real Estate Forum   Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has described Nigeria’s housing deficit as both a challenge and an opportunity for transformative change.    Speaking on Wednesday 29th January 2025 at the 4th Edition of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Minister highlighted the Nigerian government’s commitment to addressing the housing shortfall through a blend of government finance and strategic public-private partnerships (PPP).   Dangiwa commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its advancements in housing and urban development, noting that well-planned housing is essential for sustainable urban growth, economic prosperity, and improved living conditions.   “With a housing deficit of over 20 million units and a rapidly growing population, Nigeria presents a vast opportunity for investment in affordable housing,” the Minister stated. “To bridge this gap, we need to build about 500,000 housing units annually over the next decade.    He outlined Nigeria’s ambitious Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, a government-driven initiative to deliver 100,000 housing units in the first phase. These developments, designed as integrated communities, will cater to all income levels, including high-end residences and affordable units for low- and middle-income earners.   The Hon. Minister emphasized that affordability is central to the programme’s success, with mortgage loans, rent-to-own options, made available through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.   Beyond housing construction, Dangiwa listed the government’s plans to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs (BMMHs) in each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. These hubs aim to reduce dependence on imported building materials, lower construction costs, and drive industrial growth.   Additionally, he noted that the government is working to implement a Comprehensive Nationwide Social Housing Delivery Programme targeting vulnerable groups, aiming to provide 100,000 social housing units across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas.   Recognizing the scale of investment required, the Minister called on international investors, housing finance institutions, and reputable global developers to partner with the Nigerian government through Public-Private Partnerships. He assured investors of a conducive environment, including access to land, bankable offtake guarantees, and necessary concessions to ensure mutually beneficial collaborations.   “The housing challenge in Nigeria is not just a problem; it is a massive opportunity for investment,” Dangiwa concluded. “By partnering with us, investors can play a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigerian housing while securing substantial returns on investment.”   The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and sustainable housing sector and invited stakeholders to collaborate in building a prosperous and resilient urban future for Nigeria.   The last day of the Saudi Real Estate Foprum featured presentations from notable international figures such as the former President of the United States, Mr. Bill Clinton, Mr. Tucker Carlson, Global Media Influencer and several other high profile speakers.    ...