FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Follow Us:

Federal Ministry of

Housing & Urban Development (FMHUD)

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Welcome To Federal Ministry Of Housing And Urban Development.

Minister Federal Ministry Of Housing And Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.

Housing And Urban Development.

Inspection Tour Of Houses For The National Housing Scheme.

Housing And Urban Development.

May

2025

LATEST PRESS

Housing Ministry, NIWA to Harmonise Shoreline Development Licensing — Joint Committee Set Up

Abuja, 30 April 2025 – The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD) and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration and establish a unified standard procedure for licensing developments on the Lagos shoreline.

This decision was reached at a high-level meeting held at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, between the leadership of both institutions, led by the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji.

In his remarks, the Honourable Minister emphasized the urgent need for both institutions to work together as “one government” to eliminate regulatory conflicts, avoid duplication of mandates, and ensure orderly, sustainable urban development—especially in critical areas such as the Lagos shoreline.

“Our operations intersect and are connected,” the Minister noted. “We must act together to bring order by ensuring that our actions follow a clear regulatory framework that respects both the law and our respective institutional mandates.”

To this end, both parties agreed to set up a joint technical committee to define standard procedures and streamline the process for licensing shoreline developments in Lagos. The committee will comprise representatives from FMHUD, NIWA, and other relevant stakeholders. Its terms of reference will include clarifying roles, eliminating overlaps, enabling data sharing, and recommending sustainable, enforceable guidelines for shoreline development.

During the meeting, Arc. Dangiwa reiterated the distinct mandates of each stakeholder involved: the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development as the administrator of land titles on federal shorelines and national urban policy custodian; NIWA as the regulator of inland waterways infrastructure; and the Lagos State Government as the authority on physical planning and development control within its constitutional jurisdiction.

“Our Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, is charged with the issuance and administration of land titles on federal shorelines in accordance with the Land (Title Vesting, etc.) Act of 1975, and the broader framework of the Land Use Act. We are also responsible for shaping national urban development policies that promote sustainable, inclusive, and orderly growth. The Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), under the NIWA Act of 2004, is entrusted with the responsibility of regulating inland waterways—including dredging, ferry services, and permits for water-based infrastructure—on declared federal waterways such as the Lagos Lagoon. The Lagos State Government, empowered by the 1999 Constitution and its own planning laws, is responsible for overseeing physical development, building permits, and urban planning within its jurisdiction, including shoreline areas not under direct federal control”, Arc. Dangiwa.

In his own remarks, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, commended the Honourable Minister for his leadership and proactive engagement, describing the meeting as “a significant step toward resolving longstanding institutional overlaps.”

He added, “NIWA is committed to working with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and other stakeholders to ensure that shoreline developments, especially in Lagos, are carried out in a safe, lawful, and environmentally responsible manner. We welcome the creation of this joint committee and look forward to developing a seamless, coordinated framework for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”

The meeting marks a continuation of earlier engagements between both institutions and signals a renewed commitment to inter-agency cooperation in the interest of sustainable urban development and the delivery of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Aug

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

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

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. ...

SPEECHES

Sep

2023

SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA, AT THE NIGERIA DIASPORA INVESTMENT SUMMIT (NDIS), ON TUESDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER 2023

PROTOCOL
Vice President, Kashim Shettima Mustapha, GCON,
Excellences and Members of the Federal Executive Council,
Ministers and Permanent Secretaries,
Heads of Parastatals and Agencies,
Heads of International Organizations,
The Diaspora Community,
Members of Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations,
The Media and members of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

SPEECH

1. I would like to begin by appreciating and acknowledging the innovative drive of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the able chairmanship of Hon. Abike Dabiri. We want to thank them for the good work that they are doing in actualizing the mandate of the Commission. Over the years we have seen NiDCOM champion several initiatives and programs that are helping our country leverage the massive potential of our diaspora for national development.

2. This 6th Edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit is only one of such strategic programs that are helping to deepen the engagement and participation of the diaspora in Nigeria’s economy across several sectors, including the housing and real estate sector. We have over 20million Nigerians in Diaspora remitting an average of over $24bn per annum.

3. Madam Chairman, we commend your leadership, the support of your team and partners and pray for more strength and wisdom to tap this huge potential.

4. Today, I am delighted to be here and to speak at this Summit under the theme “New Vistas, Aspirations, New Vision: The Diaspora and National Development”.

5. This is because I believe it is important to communicate and assure the Diaspora that Nigeria is open for business in the housing and urban development space. That His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has a bold vision for the sector and is committed to backing it up with the necessary political will to break down all barriers that discourage investment in the sector.

6. As the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, I have taken Mr. President’s vision and am determined to actualize it. Our aim at the Ministry is to implement the most historic housing and urban sector reforms the country has ever witnessed. We want to drive through initiatives that will create an enabling environment for easier, safer, and profitable private sector investments in the sectors.

7. A notable part of our housing sector reforms that is of particular interest to the Diaspora interested in investing in the housing and real estate sector is land reforms. What we envision is a streamlined land administration that cuts through the bureaucratic bottlenecks and systemic inefficiencies to ensure cost effective and efficient access to land for both individuals and investors in our country.

8. Currently, we have a situation where the Land Use Act, which was enacted in 1978 has no complementary institution set up alongside it to provide the necessary framework, guidelines, and regulations for operationalizing it. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we aim to fix this systemic anomaly. We are working to establish a National Land Commission. Part of their work will be to outline clear implementation guidelines for the Land Use Act to chart a new path of effective land administration in the country.

9. Last week I met with the leadership of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms, Prof. Peter O. Adeniyi, where I committed to incorporating the comprehensive work, they have done over 14-years in our land reform strategy. As the renowned land reform scholar said, experience shows that a nation can never develop if it does not conduct land reform. This will be done under the Renewed Hope Action Plan for Housing.

10. The second is the nationwide adoption of the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law. The Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL) provides contemporary provisions on the creation, registration, and enforcement of mortgages, along with remedies like foreclosure and the enforcement of mortgages on real properties and related purposes in Nigeria.

11. As of date, the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL) has been passed in only four (4) states, including Lagos, Kaduna, Ekiti, and Nasarawa States. We aim to drive its passage in all the states of the federation as part of our efforts to ensure that investments in the housing and mortgage sector are protected.

12. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, we are also particular about boosting local manufacturing of building materials. Nigeria’s shortfall in the supply of quality housing stock presents a good opportunity for investors. To drive this, we aim to create an enabling environment for private sector players to produce building materials locally to lower cost, create jobs, grow the local economy, and ultimately ensure inclusive growth. To do this we are planning to establish six (6) manufacturing hubs – one in each of the six (6) geo-political zones in the country. The hubs will be provided with relevant facilities, including access roads, electricity, fit for purpose housing and relevant linkages for manufacturers to site their firms and operate. We are also proposing relevant incentives that will make it more profitable and rewarding for the private sector to manufacture building materials locally.

13. Personally, I do not worry much about the challenges that we have in our country today and I encourage each one of us, especially our diaspora, to have that mindset. These challenges represent opportunities for us to make a difference and chart a more progressive path forward. And I think that is the essence of this Summit.

14. The good news is that we now have a President who is a visionary, a problem solver, a game changer with the political will to get the right thing done. And as a Ministry, we are willing to support Diaspora initiatives in the housing and urban development space as well as encourage partnerships with the Diaspora towards making a change in the housing and urban development narrative of our dear country.

15. It is important for me state that when we think about the Diaspora, we are not only thinking of them as sources of finance to develop our country, but we also see them as Nigerians, who though abroad, are desirous of owning homes in Nigeria.

16. It is in line with this thinking, that when I was the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), I developed the Diaspora Housing Mortgage Loan in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

17. The Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme is designed to enable Nigerians living overseas participate in the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme so they can access up to N50million to own their homes in Nigeria. Participants can access the loan via a National Housing Fund (NHF) loan, Rent-to-Own or the Individual Construction loan window. The terms are affordable and best market rates. This includes a single-digit interest rate of 9%, and a payback period of up to 10 years.

18. As part of the initiative, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria will facilitate the construction of affordable housing units in major cities that meets the specifications of Nigerians in Diaspora.

19. I want to say that the FMBN is not the only agency under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development that is delving into catering to the housing needs of the Diaspora. The Federal Housing Authority (FHA)is also involved as part of the Ministry’s sector wide effort to cater to the Diaspora. They have undertaken to develop the Diaspora City Project under a Public Private Partnership comprising the FHA, The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the private sector. The Project is situated in Maitama 2, with over 675 hectares of land. The FCT administration has committed to opening the road and providing the relevant infrastructure. The Diaspora City project is designed to have bungalows, semi-and detached duplexes, and mansions to reflect its inclusive essence.

20. Our overall goal is to ensure that as our brothers and sisters’ sojourn abroad, they also have a decent shelter over here in Nigeria to call their home.

21. So, today, I want to say that I am excited to be the Minister of Housing and Urban Development to launch the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, which I initiated as the MD/CE of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria on this auspicious occasion. Indeed, I consider it a positive twist of fate and I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians in the diaspora to seize the opportunity the Scheme affords them to actualize their dreams of owning affordable homes in Nigeria.

22. I am aware that the Mortgage scheme is set to be formally launched in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States soon, and it is my hope that the diaspora community would take full advantage of this opportunity and massively subscribe to reap its short and long-term benefits.

23. As I conclude my speech, I would like to assure you of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s commitment to sustaining the necessary collaborations, partnerships, and engagements with all relevant Stakeholders in the Housing and Urban Development sector, as we all work together towards ensuring the success of the Diaspora Housing Mortgage scheme, providing affordable housing, and ensuring sustainable urban development for Nigerians.

24. Thank you for your attention and may God bless Nigeria.

Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
Honourable Minister of Housing of Urban Development
14th November 2023

May

2023

Remarks Of H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN At The Commissioning Of FMBN-I-Connect Cooperative Housing Estate, Transekulu, Enugu, Enugu State On Tuesday 16th May 2023

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

One Hundred and Fifty Units of Housing only symbolize our Government’s very deep footprint in Housing Provision in Enugu State.

These 150 Units are part of a 404 Housing Unit Provision in Enugu State all of which have been completed.

The 404 Units represent yet another part of a larger number 1,520 units in 9 projects all of which have been completed except 3 projects.

This is part of the multi-pronged response of our Government to the challenges of multi-dimensional poverty.

A total of 1,520 new home owners in one state of Nigeria deserves attention because it represents change.

This is proof that the determination to lift people out of poverty is real.

No matter the size of the challenge and the number of people involved, a commitment such as this FMBN-I-Connect housing project, that is faithfully implemented, begins to chip away, and replace problems with solutions.

A few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari personally opened a 748-unit Housing Estate in Zuba, Federal Capital Territory.

In the weeks and months before now, Directors of the FMBN have been doing exactly the same thing in their various estates across Nigeria.

Today on behalf of the Federal Government, the train of prosperity stops in Enugu to create 404 new home owners.

To them I say congratulations and bye-bye to poverty.

But I must tell you that these are not the only beneficiaries.

Surveyors, Architects, Construction companies, their employees, artisans, suppliers, transporters and many more involved in the construction section of the economy have benefitted directly and indirectly.

In all, well over a thousand individuals and seventy different small businesses were involved here.

Indisputably, whether President Buhari meets these people or not, and it is not likely he can meet all of them, his policies, programmes and projects have met them at their point of need.

New policy reforms have also recently been implemented with regard to title documents by digitizing the Federal Lands Registry.

After scanning 50,000 files of over 2.4 million pages, the first set of e-C of Os were presented last week Friday 12th May 2023.

This is another measure of prosperity because land with title has more value than land without.

Furthermore, our processes which used to take between 30-90 days can now be completed in 24 hours if all requirements are provided.

This is also a departure from poverty if you agree that time is money.

Of course, it follows that these title documents will become documents of critical economic inclusion as collateral for access to credit by way of mortgages or other means.

These are indisputably solid building blocks of prosperity against poverty.

A lot has been done and is being done with regard to housing provision by State Governments and the Private Sector.

While that work continues, it is my pleasure to acknowledge what FMBN and their developers have done here and elsewhere and to commission this Estate.