The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to construct 550,000 housing units annually, requiring a total investment of N5.5 trillion over the next decade to address the country’s severe housing deficit.
This declaration was made during a meeting with the UK Build and Construction West Africa Trade Mission in Abuja, as reported by the Ministry.
Highlighting Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, which currently stands at 200 million and expands by 2.5% each year, Minister Dangiwa stressed the necessity for housing that meets international standards set by the UN and WHO, ensuring habitability, safety, comfort, and adequate infrastructure.
The Ministry’s statement outlined ongoing efforts to confront the issue of substandard housing, which accounts for 75% of Nigeria’s 42 million housing units according to PwC. These efforts include urban renewal initiatives and new construction projects aimed at enhancing housing quality across the nation.
Minister Dangiwa also detailed the Ministry’s strategic plans, including the establishment of four Housing Reform Task Teams currently finalizing their reports. He underscored the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aims to develop 50,000 housing units nationwide.
This initiative involves constructing 1,000 units per site in each of the six geo-political zones and the FCT, along with 250 units per site in the remaining 30 states. Groundbreaking ceremonies have already commenced for two Renewed Hope Cities (in FCT and Kano) and twelve Renewed Hope Estates, totaling 6,612 homes.
The Minister’s advocacy for an annual budgetary allocation of N500 billion to support housing development under the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities initiative has gained endorsement from the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development.
During an oversight session, Committee Chairman Sen. Aminu Tambuwal assured Minister Dangiwa of the committee’s full cooperation in achieving the Ministry’s objectives, recognizing the critical importance of addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit amidst economic challenges.
Vice Chairman Sen. Victor Umeh echoed support for the funding request, citing the pressing need to bridge the significant gap between available budgetary provisions and the nation’s escalating housing demands.
For more information on Nigeria’s housing development initiatives, visit the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s official website.
