Housing Ministry Celebrates Retiring Directors The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has celebrated three retired Directors for their remarkable, unblemished and committed services to the nation. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa in his remarks at a special retirement sendforth ceremony held at the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja said their contributions to designs for the ministry's housing programmes and commitment to professionalism have left good marks on our country’s housing landscape. The retirees are Arc. Iquo Lucy Uzodinma (Director/HOD Public Building & Housing Development), Arc. Dossou Olusegun Olubunmi (Director, MDAs) and Arc. Laminu Mohammed Manman (Director, Landscaping). The Minister remarked that "Today, we reflect on the countless contributions and positive impact they have made in advancing the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the impact of their efforts on the built environment.  Their contributions to designs for the Ministry’s housing programs, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to professionalism have left good marks on our country’s housing landscape". Dangiwa also stated that he was convinced that their combined contributions have been instrumental in the successes the ministry has recorded thus far.  " Your participation at management meetings, professional inputs at departmental levels and passion for your craft and commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism have earned you all my respect and admiration and I believe that of their colleagues and housing industry stakeholders" he said  The Minister described the sendforth celebration as not only for their professional achievements but also the friendships made, the memories shared, the laughter and the legacies that they have left  behind. Commending one of the retiree, Arc. Iquo Uzodinma, Dangiwa said the practical and active roles she played in organizing and coordinating the successful Inauguration of the Housing Reform Task Teams and the official launch of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR  at Karsana was remarkable . "Throughout her tenure, Arc. Uzodinma not only demonstrated exceptional professional prowess but also served and mentored many in the Department. You hardly see her attend meetings without one or two of her Directors with her. This demonstrates openness, cooperation and mentorship" he stated  The Minister lamented that the ministry was losing a lot of professionals especially in the area of environment. On his part,  Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo said the retirement offers a well -deserved  opportunity for these exceptional Directors to rest, reflect, and enjoy the fruits of their labour and a time for cherished memories, new experiences as well as fulfillment of personal dreams. He added that he was confident that their wealth of knowledge would continue to positively impact the society in various capacities. Earlier in a welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi thanked God Almighty that these Directors retired in good health. He advised staff to put in their best in service and should also start planning for their retirement as time waits for nobody. ...

Housing Ministry Assures Diaspora Union of Participation in Nigeria's Housing Market Ecosystem  ..... commends Union’s interest in investing in housing development in the country  Minister of Housing and Urban Development,  Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has assured African Descendants in Diaspora Union (AFRIDU) of an enabling environment for diaspora participation in Nigeria’s housing market ecosystem by having in place the right frameworks for secured homeownership for Nigerians in Diaspora. Dangiwa also expressed the commitment of the Ministry to work with the Union in order to achieve a shared vision of a prosperous and united Africa that would in turn create a better future for all citizens, both at home and abroad.  The Minister stated this when a delegation from AFRIDU led by the Union’s Diplomatic Administrator for Nigeria, Dr. Abraham Onwubuya, paid him a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. African Descendants in Diaspora Union (AFRIDU), is a platform created to foster unity, solidarity, and empowerment among the African descent in the Diaspora. Dangiwa also acknowledged the importance of the diaspora to the government, adding that the over 20million Nigerians in Diaspora remitting an average of over $24bn per annum is a massive capacity, crucial to catalyzing development in all sectors of the Nation’s economy.  On the participation in housing market, he said “We are doing this in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the two federal housing agencies that are under the supervision of our Ministry which includes the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA)” He also recalled the launch of the Diaspora Mortgage Loan at the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in Sept 2023, a loan designed to enable Nigerians living overseas participate in the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme in order to access up to N50 million to own their homes in Nigeria. Accordingly he explained that Participants could access the loan via a National Housing Fund (NHF) loan, Rent-to-Own or the Individual Construction loan window, with affordable terms at best market rates which includes a single-digit interest rate of 9%, and a payback period of up to 10 years. While stating that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as part of the initiative would facilitate the construction of affordable housing units in major cities that meets the specifications of Nigerians in Diaspora, Arc. Dangiwa notified the Union that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is also involved as part of the Ministry’s sector wide effort to cater to the Diaspora.  In his words, “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”. He disclosed that The Diaspora City project  is situated at Maitama 2 FCT, with over 675 hectares of land, designed to have bungalows, semi-and detached duplexes, and mansions to reflect its inclusive essence; “The FCT administration has committed to opening the road and providing the relevant infrastructure”, he further disclosed. According to the Minister, 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” The Minister expressed excitement about the upcoming International Global Investment Summit to be held in Abuja in October, noting that the event presents a unique opportunity to showcase the potential of the Country and attract foreign direct investment in various sectors, including housing and urban development.  On their part, the leader of the AFRIDU delegation Dr. Abraham Onwubuya on behalf of members of the Union appealed for a chance to partner with the Ministry in terms of investment in real estate, and also requested the Ministry’s assistance in providing them with lands to develop smart homes and cities across the country, for the Africans descendants in diaspora. According to him, “this will be beneficial to Nigeria as a Nation”. Dr. Onwubuya further utilized the opportunity to invite the Honourable Minister for  the International gathering of the African descendants in diaspora slated to hold between the 3rd - 7th of October 2024, and particularly the Global Economic Investment Summit on the 5th of October, 2024. ...

Housing Minister Calls for Continuous  Collaboration with Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria. Minister of State for  Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo has called  for continuous collaboration between the ministry and the Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria, (IMBLN), in order to ensure adherence to standard specifications in houses  construction by practitioners the in built  environment  The minister said the collaboration will creat a brighter future alongside achieving  overall economic growth in the country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tijjani Gwarzo made this call when he received the governing council of the IMBLN Institute led by it's President, Quantity Surveyor Hayatuddeen Atiku Awwal on a visit to his office. He said "As we continue to work towards our common goals of enhancing professionalism and fostering growth within the mortgage and real estate sectors, I encourage continued collaboration and dialogue between our ministry and the Institute," noting " together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and create a brighter future for our nation." Gwarzo noted "In line with our government's agenda to provide affordable housing and promote sustainable urban development, we acknowledge the importance of a robust regulatory framework and a skilled workforce. " He also described the Institute's role in setting prescribed rules and regulations that ensures adherence to best practices and ethical standards, a good measure to safeguard the interests of both consumers and professionals alike Accordingly, Gwarzo recognizes the crucial role played by the Institute in setting and reviewing standards, promoting research and development, and providing consultancy services  " Your efforts in organizing conferences, seminars, symposia, and meetings, contribute significantly to knowledge exchange and capacity building within our industries" he added. Speaking earlier, the President of the  Governing Board of the Institute of Mortgage Bankers and Lenders of Nigeria,  QS. Hayatuddeen Awwal, said the Institute has identified some challenges facing the housing sector with regard to home ownership and creation of jobs, saying collaboration with the ministry was the only way to tackle them  " wmWorking together with the ministry would unlock potentials in mortgage industry as well as drive positive changes the housing sector" he said  The President also explained  " ... through our activities, we strife to create an enabling environment for affordable housing and wealth creation for all Nigerians bearing in mind that the housing sector alone has the tendency to challenge the peculiar insecurity, job loss and death of artisans that is ravaging the country," He further expressed confidence  that  under the current leadership in the housing ministry, design and specification of houses will be standardised, pointing out that he has begun an advocacy on adopting Nigeria model in the built environment by scaling down features like using regular ceiling board instead of fixing POP and using Nigeria made doors instead of imported Turkish doors Adopting Nigeria model, he said, would enhance mortgage reforms that would ensure the acquisition of the  Renewed Hope Cities and Estates within the shortest possible time. On Mortgage facility open to informal sector of the nation, the President explained that the workers in informal  sectors of Nigeria are not exempted from accessing mortgaging facilities but they find it difficult to access it because mortgage officers are not patient enough to generate a statement of income that could qualify them for  accessibility since they  do not have a standard payslip. He further advised the mortgage bankers to exhibit patience and humility when engaging with them so as to promote inclusivity in home ownership through mortgage financing, disclosing that the Institute has begun talk with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to liberalise to the informal sector. The Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders established by an Act of the National Assembly is mandated to regulate and professionalise the mortgage industry and housing thereby promoting transparency, ethical standards and professionalism in the sector.  It is also charged with the responsibility of capacity building, training, certifying and regulating the activities of property, mortgage and real estate industry ensuring their competency.   ...