Dangiwa Meets Group of African Members of the UN Habitat Executive Board · Says Nigeria’s Chairmanship will Ensure Strategic Direction for UN Habitat, etc Nairobi, Kenya - On May 7th, 2024, the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, engaged in a critical meeting with the Africa Group, representing 10 countries, on the sidelines of the first session of the 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. At the meeting, Arc. Dangiwa outlined the key priorities for Nigeria's leadership of the Executive Board, as identified during the recent Retreat of the Regional Group of African States in Naivasha, Kenya. These priorities include: 1. Promoting increased strategic direction for UN-Habitat by promoting the balance between the organisation’s Mandate, the available global opportunities as well as within the United Nations Wide System and the quest for increased Resources. 2. Regular and ongoing caucusing for the benefit of the continent. Under this, he said Nigeria will call for a Ministerial Caucus, and subsidiary technical fora of the Africa Group on Human Settlements in line with the African Union Specialised Technical Committee On Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development And Decentralisation (AU-STC 8). 3. Enhanced global collaboration and engagement. He noted that Nigeria will also be working towards increased global collaboration through engagement both in consultation with Nairobi based delegations and Capitals. This will include engagements with stakeholders from other regions. Nigeria will also be calling for a platform for Ministerial Collaboration of Members of the Executive Board and would be glad to drive the agenda through the Africa Group. 4. Strengthened due diligence to maximize benefits and protect the organization's mandate. He noted that Nigeria commits to enhancing due diligence to UN-Habitat activities to ensure that the continent achieves increased benefits for its engagement within UN-Habitat in particular and the UN system in general, as well as to protect the organization from possible erosion of its mandate. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister highlighted additional continental priorities, including the celebration of UN-Habitat's 50th anniversary, the development of a new strategic plan, and the promotion of African-grown initiatives. Arc. Dangiwa expressed gratitude to Her Excellency Dr. Vivian Nain Kuma of Cameroon, Chair of the Africa Group, for convening the meeting, and expressed appreciation to all attending delegations for their commitment to the cause. He emphasized the importance of sustained and purposeful engagement in matters of human settlements, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Africa Group in advocating for the continent's interests. Dr. Vivian Nain Kuma, in her response, congratulated Nigeria and the Hon. Minister for assuming the position of Chair of UN-Habitat as Africa’s representative. She pledged, on behalf of members of the Group, that they will work to support his agenda and ensure the success of his tenure as Chair. She encouraged the Hon. Minister to champion strategic collaboration with the Shelter Afrique Development as part of efforts to raise concessional finance to solve the continent’s housing and urban development challenges. The meeting featured a presentation by the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann, who spoke on the need for strategic collaboration between the institution and UN-Habitat, especially since they share similar objectives and a unique Board leadership under Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa. Such a partnership, he said, will help unlock concessional funding necessary to meet the continent’s housing and urban development needs.
Dangiwa Chairs First Session of 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi The First Session of the 2024 Executive Board Meeting of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme has commenced in Nairobi under the Chairmanship of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development. The session is being held at the UN-Habitat Headquarters from May 6th to 8th, 2024. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Arc. Dangiwa tasked members of the Executive Board of UN-Habitat to redouble efforts towards repositioning the organization as an impactful global tool for tackling human settlements’ challenges in a structured and sustainable manner. “As members of the Executive Board, I must draw our collective attention to the fact that our nations, at this time, are among the privileged few tasked with the important responsibility for the regular supervision of the global human settlements agenda. We have a moral obligation to approach this duty with our best efforts, utmost sincerity, and the highest responsibility for the good of mankind. To this end, during my Chairmanship, I intend to pursue global collaboration in partnership with the various regional and political groups, and I would count on your support as I look forward to active engagement to bring this organization to its rightful footing,” he said. The Minister, who also doubles as the Chair of the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau of the Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), noted that he sees his unique positions as an opportunity to forge strategic alliances that are beneficial to actualizing the mandate of UN-Habitat. “I do not count it a coincidence that as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development of the most populous country in Africa, I also Chair the AGM Bureau of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, and I now Chair the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. I see these strategic alignments as a call to maximize the opportunities my current positions afford me to promote more beneficial global collaborations, more international attention, and hopefully, more funding for UN-Habitat,” he noted. The UN-Habitat Executive Board is a legislative body of UN-Habitat. It comprises 36 member states elected by the UN-Habitat Assembly with 10 seats for Africa, one of which is occupied by Nigeria currently producing the Chair, 8 seats for Asia and Pacific States, 4 seats for Eastern European States, 6 seats for Latin America and Carribean States, and 8 Seats for Western European and other States. Nigeria has been a member of the Executive Board since 2019 and was granted a renewed term of two years in 2023 until 2025. The body convenes three times a year to oversee the implementation of the normative and operational activities of UN-Habitat, ensure accountability, transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness, approve and oversee the implementation of the annual programme of work and budget of the organization. Notable issues slated for discussion at the first session of the 2024 Board Meeting include financial, budgetary, and administrative matters, including the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in accordance with the strategic plan for the period 2020–2025 and actions by UN- Habitat to address geographical and gender imbalances in the composition of its staff; updates on the draft work program of UN-Habitat and the draft budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for 2025, progress on the strategic plan of UN-Habitat for the period 2026–2029, and implementation of the normative and operational activities of UN-Habitat, including reporting on its programmatic activities in 2023 and the implementation of subprograms, flagship programs, and technical cooperation activities. The meeting will also review the implementation of the United Nations development system reform in UN-Habitat and actions taken by UN-Habitat to strengthen protection against sexual and any other type of exploitation and abuse and against sexual harassment in the workplace. The opening session had attendance representatives of the 36 member countries, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Alice Wahome who welcomed the members on behalf of the Kenyan President His Excellency, William Ruto. ...
Dangiwa Receives Progress Reports from Housing Sector Reform Task Teams ….. 80% of task completed so far … Ministry to host validation workshop on reports Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has commended the heads and members of the Housing Sector Reform Task Teams instituted by the Ministry for making substantial progress towards delivering on their Terms of Reference. The commendation was given when the leadership of the four Reform Task Teams constituted by the Ministry in January 2024 made a presentation to the Minister at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja. The Minister commended the efforts of the teams, noting that they have so far achieved more than 80% of the tasks given to them. " I am so pleased by the way you have all taken this national assignment so far. I can see the extent of work you have done, and this is a testament to the confidence we reposed in you when we chose you all to drive some of the strategic reforms we were pursuing in the sector" he stated Dangiwa also expressed delight that the task teams surpassed 80% of the deliverables and expect to receive the final reports in the next few weeks. He explained that the report will form the guidelines to follow in strengthening the institutional capacity of federal housing agencies, promoting synergy between the agencies and optimising their capacity to deliver on the housing mandate, streamlining land administration in Nigeria, and establishing Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that a workshop will be held in the coming weeks to have an interface between all four Task Teams and validate their draft reports for fine tuning and necessary modifications before the final reports will be submitted. The task teams, comprising the Housing Institutions ReformTask Teams, Multi-Agency Project Delivery Task Team, Land Reform Task Team, and the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs Task Team, were constituted to map out the modalities, strategies, and frameworks with which the Ministry can break the barriers to efficient housing delivery and embark on sector-wide reforms to bring about sustainable housing delivery and Urban Development in Nigeria. Notably, the Land Reform Task Team, headed by Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, is also expected to review and identify areas of the Land Use Act requiring amendment, as well as map out modalities for the establishment of the National Land Commission. On the other hand, the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs Task Team, headed by Engr. Nuhu Wya, was charged with designing a framework for how, where, and in what form the hubs will be established, including the design, size, and financial implications. The Housing Institutions ReformTask Team is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that housing agencies under the supervision of the ministry are optimized to deliver on the provision of quality, decent and affordable homes to Nigerians. This includes a thorough review and facilitation of necessary legislative amendments of relevant housing industry laws, including National Housing Fund (NHF) Act,1992, Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria Establishment Act, 1993, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Act,1973, and PenCom Act to allow for increased investment in housing As head of the team, Adedeji Adesemoye said, the issues of Recapitalisation of the FMBN, ensuring that institutions have up-to-date financial reports, and prevailing on Institutions to engage in demand-based analysis are some of the areas where the team has made meaningful progress. On it's part, the Brig. Gen. Tunde Reis (rtd)-led Multi-Agency Project Delivery Task Team is expected to find ways of fostering synergy and collaboration between all federal housing agencies for improved housing delivery in the country. ...
Dangiwa Inaugurares 14th Council of Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, ARCON …. charges them to maintain peace, selflessness and professionalism. Housing and Urban Development Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has inaugurated the 14th Council members of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), with a charge to strive to be selfless, professional and focused on the interest of the profession, the country and the teeming Architects therein, in the conduct of their assignment. ARCON is a statutory body established to Regulate the activities of the Architectural Profession in Nigeria. In his remarks, the Minister acknowledged the importance and critical nature of the Architectural profession to national development, noting that the Council was created to assist in promoting the development and growth of the profession in the country because the Government recognised the need to regulate and maintain standards in the built environment, which is a major driver of economic growth. “The Architects Registration Act Chapter A19, Laws of The Federation of Nigeria 2004, heralded by Decree Number 10 of 1969, mandates the Council to determine what standards of knowledge and skills persons seeking to become members of the architectural profession need to attain. The Act also empowers the Council to raise those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit”, he said. While reminding members of the Council of the high responsibility that comes with their nominations, the Minister tasked them to live up to the expectations of the architectural profession as well as the trust bestowed on them by contributing meaningfully towards policies that will promote and enshrine standards and quality in the housing sector. Dangiwa drew the attention of the Council to the fact that the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act 2004 needed immediate amendment in order to align its mandate with present realities, while assuring that the Ministry under his watch would encourage an urgent commencement of work on the amendment. In his words, “We should incorporate the right to exist and function with the common objective of promoting the Profession, in accordance with the provision of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended (which give Right to Freedom of Association)”. Accordingly, the Minister highlighted the incessant incidences of building collapse to the Council, pointing out that it has not only led to loss of lives and waste of resources but has also brought shame to the profession and the housing sector; “this Council must therefore be committed from inception to play its part by promoting accountability, transparency through the implementation of initiatives that would enhance good governance in the built environment by bringing registered architects to uphold ethical conduct and integrity”, he warned. Dangiwa further charged members of the Council to ensure that there is peace, unity and orderliness in the house of Architecture in Nigeria in order to make meaningful progress. “Let us resolve not to sacrifice the profession on the altar of pecuniary interests even as we strive to ensure fairness, equity and balance”, he admonished. On their part, the Registrar of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Umar Murnai expressed happiness that the inauguration has come to reality. He charged the members of the Council to ensure that the they work towards the improvement of the architectural profession in Nigeria, and to uphold their responsibilities of training and improving the profession. Murnai further assured the Minister that the new council would also enhance on upholding accountability and transparency in the course of their duties. ...
We are Committed to Improving Staff Welfare - Dangiwa
....Engages Tulsi Foundation Hospital to provide Free Medical Eye Test, Care for ministry's staff
As part of its commitment to improving the welfare and well being of staff, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, has engaged the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital, Abuja to provide free eye medical tests and care for the staff of the ministry.
While declaring the commencement of the free eye care exercise, Minister Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, stated that, welfare of staff is paramount in order to build a healthy workforce to attain high performance. According to the minister, the eye hospital service delivery is not for profit venture rather service to humanity.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the free eye medical test for the stsff of the ministry as a milestone in response to staff welfare, pointing out that the issue of welfare is not only limited to money, but it covers the overall wellbeing of the staff. Dr Ogunbiyi applauded Minister, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa for bringing this free eye medical care, saying that it is the first of its kind in the ministry.
The coordinator of the Tulsi Chanrai Eye Hospital Foundation, commended the minister for the gesture, ssying that he didn't hesitate in welcoming the idea after mentioning it to him.
Housing Ministry Inaugurates Delivery Task Team on Presidential Priorities, Deliverables
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Marcus Ogunbiyi, PhD has inaugurated a delivery task team on the Presidential Priorities and Ministry's Deliverables.
The task team is a 25-man team drawn from the Ministry’s Headquarters, alongside some Agencies of the Ministry.
In his address, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi expressed optimism that the inauguration of the task teams would mark a turn around for Ministry’s activities in the sense that all departments would be responsive, having the knowledge that all activities would be monitored and reported in order to reflect the Presidential mandate of outstanding performance.
He emphasized on the importance of the task team, urging the team to know their roles and responsibilities as well as take their duties very seriously in order to execute their tasks excellently.
Dr. Ogunbiyi informed the team that there would be quarterly reporting and assessment on the Ministerial and Presidential deliverables, and as such, an awareness seminar would be organized for the task team where more details of their tasks would be unveiled.
“We must be able to monitor and guide all the activities to know where we are at a given time”, he stated.
The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of generating accurate data by the task team, adding that there was need for efficient and effective method of collecting and managing data such that would capture every task the team would embark on.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister on Administration, Adamu Ladan, noted that it was an honour and a milestone in the Ministry to inaugurate the task team because the present administration has taken the initiative which is a very fundamental one to the deliverable of its mandate.
He advised the task team to consider themselves very critical and key to the implementation of the Ministry’s mandate and so should take every task very importantly.
Referring to a law by the Central Coordinating Unit (CCU), Ladan advised that every data provided would be accounted for, stressing that every tiny detail in the implementation of the ministry’s deliverables must be captured so that the data being supplied will be cogent.
“We shouldn’t be found wanting in any aspect of our deliverable, so I urge us to pay attention to the tasks assigned to us and carry it out responsibly”, he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the task team, Director Planning Research and Statistics of the Ministry, Mohammed Bala Saulawa, appreciated the Permanent Secretary and the Honourable Minister for his support, encouragement as well as the responsibility given to them.
Saulawa assured the Permanent of their commitment to always come up with accurate and reliable data that would make the Ministry as a whole, proud.
He also disclosed that the department was working seriously to meet up with the timeline set by the CCU and as a result, issued a circular to all departments to submit their performance and achievements in order for a presentation to be made to the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary before any action by the CCU.
He further appreciated the Permanent Secretary for approving a workshop for the task team officers and also pledged on behalf of the team to deliver their responsibilities effectively.
REMARKS BY THE HON. MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA AT A MEETING WITH THE NEW MANAGEMENT TEAMS OF THE FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA (FMBN) AND THE FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (FHA) ON MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2024
Protocols
1. It is my pleasure to welcome on board what I call The Renewed Hope Executive Management Teams of Nigeria’s two premier federal housing agencies – The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
2. These appointments, by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on Thursday, 15th February 2024 mark the beginning of a renewed hope era at these two agencies.
3. So, before we proceed, let us take the National Pledge to mark the seriousness of the moment.
4. Like I said earlier, this is the renewed hope era for housing and urban development. All of you who have been honored and privileged to lead these institutions must align with the vision. In doing your work you must put Nigeria first. You must make Nigerians the center of the work that you do. And you must ensure that we deliver results.
5. You must thank Mr. President for giving you this national assignment. He has carefully selected you based on your pedigree, experience, and capacity to contribute towards the actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda for housing and urban development.
6. So, you must see your appointments first, as a privilege to be chosen out of millions of Nigerians, second as a call to serve the country at a very trying time, and third as an opportunity to be part of the historic transformation of the sector under the leadership of Mr. President.
7. You have a responsibility to approach your work as Managing Directors and Executive Directors with the urgency that is required. The inefficiencies of the past decades have compounded the problems that we face in the housing industry today. As you all know, to have a strong a strong economy, better life, the housing sector must work to create jobs, contribute to GDP and boost health and productivity.
8. His Excellency understands the importance of housing, its catalytic role to national development and economic growth. That is why he made the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development a standalone Ministry and is moving with speed to reform the housing sector.
9. The two institutions that you now lead are Nigeria’s oldest federal government-owned housing delivery agencies. These institutions are not in good form. You are coming on board as doctors who would help to fix them, so that they can be strong, and have the capacity to meet the need of Nigerians for housing so Mr. President can deliver on his promise.
10. I will start with the Federal Housing Authority which was set up in 1973. I remember that we marked the 50th year anniversary last year. I used the word “marked” deliberately because after 50-years, there was not much to celebrate.
11. Like I said at the event, it is important for us to confront the truth of FHA’s history to learn the lessons from there. I therefore expect the new FHA Management to be mindful of this. It is only on this basis that we can begin the process of building a new FHA that delivers on its mandate.
12. As you may recall, in 1973, FHA was created with the mandate to provide housing to low- and medium-income earners nationwide. These functions were further expanded under the 2012 National Housing Policy to include the following key provisions.
1. To develop and manage real estate on a commercial basis in all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
2. To provide sites and services for all income groups.
3. To execute housing programmes in the public interest as may be approved by the Federal Government and
4. To mobilize offshore funding for housing development.
13. Pursuant to the re-defined roles, the National Council on Privatization in May 2013, approved FHA’s commercialization. The aim was to reduce the magnitude and scope of financial support of the Federal Government and allow the Authority to adapt to changing business requirements. At this time FHA had only managed to deliver 37,000 houses in its 40 years of existence.
14. Ten years after commercialization, records show that FHA has only delivered a cumulative of just over 50,000 housing units. That shows an average of 1,000 houses per year in 50 years. This is clearly not a good result, especially from Nigeria’s foremost housing agency that has so many institutional advantages that it can leverage to deliver more results. This includes free access to land from the federal government in all layouts and new districts, relationships with other government entities like the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and strategic positioning to engage in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) with reputable developers given its name recognition as a government agency.
15. PPPs that the FHA has entered over the years have delivered little or no value to the country. We have a serious housing crisis and current efforts; speed of delivery and strategies must be increased to meet the challenge. The new FHA Management must ensure that it sets a different and progressive tone for the agency under the renewed hope era. I expect you to provide leadership that is visionary, can innovate, think outside the box, while tackling problems. I want to see a reformed, more efficient, and capable Federal Housing Authority (FHA) that would have the financial strength to deliver more on its mandate.
16. As you may be aware, FHA is the one agency that has the license to play in all income segments, so the Ministry expects the FHA to make judicious use of this advantage in the broad strategy of the government to deliver housing to Nigerians. I want to see the FHA go to the capital market, issue bonds, and raise funding to deliver mass housing projects across the country, market them, payback the loans, and declare profit. In the next fifty years, we expect that FHA would be celebrating millions of homes built and successfully delivered to Nigerians.
17. As the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, I am ready to provide the necessary leadership that is required to move FHA forward. This includes granting the necessary Ministerial support for FHA to access funding from international development finance institutions such as Shelter Afrique. The Shelter Afrique Development Bank Board and Management Team are currently on a working mission to Nigeria. I have asked them to meet with both FHA and FMBN later today to map out points of partnerships.
18. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is also critical to the actualization of the Renewed Hope Vision for Housing. Its own case holds personal significance to me. I remember years ago; I was here at the Ministry after my appointment as MD/CE of FMBN to report to my predecessor. Then I was on the other side. Today I am on this side. That is the way of God, and I am thankful to Mr. President for the opportunity and the promotion. This is the first time someone moved from being MD of FMBN to Minister of Housing.
19. Like I said at the 2024 Annual Management Retreat recently, this is another God given opportunity to take FMBN to the next level. My charge to the new Management Team is the same as the one I gave the outgone Management; you will be seeing a lot of pressure from me. This is because I expect you to do ten times better than I did.
20. What this means is that FMBN must transform. FMBN must innovate. And FMBN must lead a new era of massive housing development and delivery even in these difficult times of high construction costs and lower incomes. This requires a radically new mindset, thinking out of the box and identifying the opportunities that these challenges present.
21. For me FMBN faces several fundamental challenges that must be dealt with, and we have already set the ball rolling with the inauguration of the Housing Institutions’ Reform Task Teams under the Chairman of Adesemoye with representatives from the Bank.
22. As you are all aware the task of the Tast Team is to develop a robust framework for ensuring that housing agencies under the supervision of the Ministry are optimized to deliver effectively on the Renewed Hope Vision for the provision of quality, decent and affordable homes to Nigerians.
23. This includes a thorough review and facilitation of necessary legislative amendments of relevant housing industry laws including the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act,1992, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Establishment Act, 1993. A lot of work has already been done in this regard, having achieved successful passage of the amendments to the two Bills during my stewardship as MD/CE of the Bank by the two chambers of the National Assembly while Presidential assent was declined.
24. The Housing Institution Reform Task Team comprises housing industry experts, stakeholders, agency representatives, professional bodies, and academia. The reforms and legislative amendments that the Reform Team will carry out in collaboration with stakeholders and the National Assembly will be the most comprehensive set ever done in the history of Housing and Urban Development in Nigeria.
25. FMBN is also a key part of the Multi-Agency Project Delivery Task Team which we inaugurated. The aim is to ensure that all housing agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development work collaboratively towards optimizing their strengths to deliver decent and affordable housing to Nigerians.
26. I expect strong participation of the FMBN in this Team as it is expected to outline frameworks for synergy between the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) and propose processes to eliminate bottlenecks in housing development to increase the national housing stock, amongst others.
27. But it is important to say that while these teams are working and we expect them to come up with blueprints in the next few weeks ahead, I expect the new Management to hit the ground running, giving each day in the office to the transformation process. This applies to FHA too. FMBN must work to improve customer service delivery and to do this requires the completion and full operationalization of the Core Banking Application.
28. I am also committed to the N500billion Recapitalization of the Bank. Its been in the pipeline for too long. Now is the time to get it done.
29. FMBN should also make greater effort towards reducing its non-performing loan portfolio and the clearance of backlog of its audited accounts. A major step to take in this regard to ensure efficient processing and approval of corresponding NHF loans for all completed projects to ensure effective offtake and inter-account settlement to clean up the Bank’s books.
30. I also expect to see measurable progress in the implementation of the revised 5-Year Strategic Plan.
31. Now to FMBN Statistics: Between 1992 and December 2023, FMBN had only delivered a meager 38,756 houses. This means over a 31-year time frame, FMBN was doing a yearly average of 1,250, just slightly better than FHA. The bank also disbursed a total of N426bn in mortgage loans and created about 24,629 mortgage loans.
32. As it is with FHA, so it is with FMBN. What has been done is little compared to the size of the problem that we face.
33. In fact, I am proud to say that the only bright spot in FMBN’s 31-year history based on facts and statistics that can be checked is my five-year term between 2017 to 2022 where I was able to post results that exceeded all that was achieved over the 25 preceding years of the Bank.
34. And that is why the reform of the housing sector and that of federal housing agencies was made a key part of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
35. So, I want you all to know that these appointments didn’t just happen out of the blue. They are part of a carefully planned Strategic Broad Renewed Hope Roadmap towards the actualization of Mr. President’s vision for the housing sector.
36. Earlier I called you Renewed Hope Executive Management Teams of Federal Housing Agencies for three key reasons.
• Nigerians have given Mr. President a mandate to provide decent and affordable housing to them and to fix urban development challenges.
• Mr. President has given me that job to deliver using the FMBN and FHA as institutional tools.
• You are the focal persons at these agencies tasked with making sure that Mr President's promise of increased housing to Nigerians is fulfilled.
37. So, today, I am not telling you “Congratulations”.
38. Your appointment is a privilege, and not an invitation to make merry and enrich yourselves.
39. I have my deliverables and you are to fashion out ways to deliver on them. If you work hard and deliver, you will stay. If you don’t work hard and fail to deliver, you will leave before your term. I believe that is a strong message that Mr President has already passed across to all appointees. Don’t look at the 5-year term, look at your ability to meet the targets for every review session. Because when it comes to review and KPIs – I won't be looking at your faces. What we want is action, progress, improved customer service delivery and more Nigerians owning homes.
40. 16. Both the FMBN and FHA Management Teams must see this as a new beginning for real progress. This must reflect in the quantum of houses delivered and fully occupied by Nigerians.
41. 17. For the FMBN, we expect that you meet and exceed the targets in your Action Plan.
42. The delivery of at least 5,000 new homes annually; with a significant portion of this through the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.
43. Disbursement of mortgage loans to at least 20,000 Nigerians annually, and this will mean quicker turnaround time and a more efficient customer service.
44. Increased National Housing Fund (NHF) collection by expanding the subscription net for more Nigerians. You can achieve this by making it easier to accommodate more private sector players in the scheme.
45. Speedy rollout of the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme to facilitate an increase in NHF collection and the provision of more houses to Nigerians.
46. Up-to-date audited accounts and corporate stability to facilitate fruitful cooperation with financing institutions like Shelter Afrique Development Bank.
47. For the FHA, I expect to see more flexibility and innovation in its operations rather than the usual, conventional, docile way of doing things.
48. The ministry expects the FHA to make judicious use of its license to operate across all income segments in the broad strategy of the government to deliver housing to Nigerians.
49. We expect to see the FHA get more funding from the capital market by issuing bonds to deliver mass housing projects across the country, market them, pay back the loans, and declare profit.
50. We expect to see the FHA delivering a minimum of 5,000 houses annually to Nigerians.
51. The FHA should also take advantage of its status as an agency without budgetary allocations to be inventive, partner with credible investors and local and international financing partners to deliver more houses to Nigerians.
52. We will keep track as a Ministry and monitor your progress on a year-to-year basis. Like I said earlier, your KPIs are the only things that matter because we have a responsibility to Nigerians, and we cannot afford to fail.
53. On our part, we will continue to work to strengthen your capacities and break down the limitations that hamper your performance.
54. Let me, once again, reiterate the seriousness of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to ensure the full implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development. We can already see that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme is one of the signpost projects of his administration. He will not tolerate failure or mediocrity, and neither will I.
55. 24. I will be the first to acknowledge that you now carry a huge responsibility on your shoulders; one that is time-bound and measurable. I expect that you see this not just as an opportunity to write your name in the annals of history, but also to be a part of the team that looked the challenges to housing delivery in the face and overcame them with innovation, strong commitment, transparency, and a great sense of responsibility and urgency.
56. This is because you have been called, selected, and appointed to serve Nigeria our country in those roles.
Thank you.
SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE RENEWED HOPE CITIES & ESTATES PROGRAMME AND GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE 3,112 HOUSING-UNIT RENEWED HOPE CITY IN KARSANA, ABUJA, ON FEBRUARY 8, 2024, BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR
Protocols
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
THE HON. MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA RECEIVES PROGRESS REPORTS FROM HOUSING SECTOR REFORM TASK TEAMS
The Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa Receives Progress Reports from Housing Sector Reform Task Teams
THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, DR. MARCUS OGUNBIYI WITH THE DIRECTORS OF THE MINISTRY DURING AN INSPECTION TOUR OF THE SULEJA PROTOTYPE HOUSING, FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH, 2024
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi with the directors of the ministry during an inspection tour of the Suleja prototype Housing, Friday, April 5th, 2024