We Will Implement Historic Housing And Urban Development Reforms In Nigeria  -  Dangiwa   The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has stated that the Housing Ministry under his leadership is exploring creative solutions and will also implement necessary reforms in order to rewrite the story of housing and urban development in the country.   The Minister made this known while delivering his keynote address on the 4th day of the 12th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, held in Kaduna State.   " As part of endeavours to provide the right leadership as the focal driver of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold vision of making housing a top priority for his government, giving its unique potential to catalyze economic growth, create jobs and lift millions out of poverty,  the Ministry’s goal is to implement the most historic housing and urban sector reforms ever witnessed in the Country, by driving initiatives that will create enabling environments for easier, safer, and profitable private sector investments in the sectors" he stated.   The Minister explained that Housing as one of the critical sectors set aside for focus under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is tied to Four key presidential priorities which are, Economic growth and Job creation, Access to capital, social inclusion or Inclusivity and Ending poverty.   According to him, the Four presidential priorities of Government underline the priorities of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development over the next four years, through a Reform of Federal Housing Institutions like the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Family Home Funds (FHF) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), to enhance efficiency and capacity; Establishment of a National Social Housing Fund to cater to the housing needs of the NO INCOME, homeless and vulnerable groups; Review of the Land Use Act (1978) to streamline access to land; Establishment of a robust Mortgage Registry to facilitate property transactions and increased home ownership; Increasing housing supply, amongst others.   “The achievement of these targets would require an “All of Government” Approach and Actions that foster continuous engagement between Governments at all levels along with the private sector and relevant International Organizations operating in the Housing sector”, he added.   While noting that land reforms is a significant part of the housing sector reforms, Dangiwa disclosed a work in progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to establish a National Land Commission whose work would be partly to outline clear implementation guidelines for the Land Use Act to chart a new path of effective land administration in the country.   The Minister further disclosed readiness with Mr. President’s support to commence Phase 1 of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates which targets the delivery of 34,500 housing units of 1,2- and 3-bedroom affordable multi-level flats and bungalows for low-income earners, as well as high-end detached bungalows, terraces and duplexes for high income earners in Thirty States of the Federation.   For the Slum Upgrading Programme, he also disclosed the Ministry’s plans to upgrade 26 slums in the six regions of the Country, and the Federal Capital Territory, to improve the living standards of the slum residents and urban poor by providing key infrastructure and ancillary services.   “To ensure affordability for Nigerians we have already mapped out the following options which include Rent-to-Own, Public Rental, Mortgage Loans, and where applicable, outright sale”, he explained.   Speaking further, Dangiwa assured that the issue of financing housing development and urban infrastructure remains priority to the Ministry, and in this regard, he outlined some innovative financing and credit-driven approaches which could be exploited, such as Increasing the adoption of Public-Private Partnerships and similar Institutional arrangements, encouraging the growth of various Credit schemes, Housing Cooperatives and Rent-To-Own Schemes, increasing access to Multilateral/Bilateral, Pension Funds and Capital Market funding sources amongst others.   While appreciating the acceptance of the Kaduna State Government to host 12th Meeting of the Council despite a brief notice, Dangiwa praised the State for demonstrating exemplary leadership in housing development.   He informed that Kaduna was one of the first states in the country to adopt and pass into law the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL) which coordinates and   promotes housing investments and   mortgage development activities.   On the supply side, he pointed out that Kaduna State has implemented reforms in land administration, titling and registration, and also offered fiscal incentives, among others; and on the demand side, has developed single-digit interest rate mortgage arrangements with Sterling Bank, FHA Mortgage Bank and Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC).   “I am particularly impressed by the State’s Qatar Sanabil Project, which aims to deliver about 500,000 housing units. This is a laudable feat and testament to the business-friendly environment of Kaduna State that is worthy of emulation”, he expressed.   He commended the high rise in the revenue generation of the State as a result of these achievements, to over ₦44billion per annum despite the lack of amendments to the Land Use Act.   In his opening Address, the guest of honour, the executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani represented by the Honourable Commissioner of the Kaduna State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Shagali, informed that Kaduna State Government in its effort to increase the housing stock came up with a direct Construction of 624 affordable housing units of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom houses in four locations of the State, the Construction of a total of 222 houses of 1, 2, 3, 4 bedrooms terraces as well duplexes, directly and through partnership.   He added that the state was on partnership with 52 developers to provide between 20,000 and 30,000 houses which is at about 50% completion, provision of plots by the Kaduna Geographic Information System (KADGIS) to citizens, through the sites and services process so that individuals can build their own houses, amongst others.   The Governor further expressed the willingness of the State to continue in partnership with the Federal Government to facilitate the provision of decent and affordable Houses to Nigerians, while also welcoming investors to the State.   In his goodwill message, the chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Aminu Tambuwal Lauded the aptness of the theme for this year’s Council Meeting which is "HARNESSING LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CREDIT SCHEME AS A PANACEA FOR HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RENEWED HOPE AGENDA” , pointing out that positive progress cannot not be made in the Housing and Urban Development Sector without funds.   While acknowledging that sourcing funds was a difficult one, He noted that it was not unconquerable giving that construction in housing is a major way of redistributing wealth and should be encouraged.   Tambuwal further assured of the support of the National Assembly in realizing the outcomes of the Council’s decisions. ...

FG To Assist Vulnerable Nigerians Own Houses - Perm Sec   Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mahmuda Mamman, has disclosed the intention of the federal government to assist vulnerable Nigerians own houses.   Mamman made this disclosure while fielding questions from journalists, on the first day of the 12th meeting of the National Council on Housing and Urban Development taking place in Kaduna State.   The theme for the 12th council meeting is “Harnessing Local and International Credit Schemes as a Panacea for Affordable Housing Infrastructure Development Under the "Renewed Hope Agenda. "   The Permanent Secretary said, " The National Housing Scheme Programme by the ministry would assist the vulnerable population of the country to afford a roof over their heads and this would in turn bridge the gaps in the housing sector."   He further explained that the housing ministry intends to go for social housing schemes to provide decent and affordable houses to cater to the housing needs of Nigerians, saying that it was part of the efforts to realize the ambition and also in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.   Accordingly, the Permanent Secretary stated that deliberations at the housing council meeting which commenced today would figure out ways the state governments can queue into the scheme.   “We have written letters to the various state governments asking them to give us unencumbered lands so that we can be able to build these affordable houses for all Nigerians because it is a matter of right and not a privilege, that is why this administration is doing things differently”, he added.   He also mentioned that an ongoing survey being conducted by the National Population Commission would ascertain the accurate figure of housing deficit in the Nation, and the figures would be made known upon completion of the survey.   Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna state ministry of housing and urban development, Rabi’u Yunusa, informed the meeting that government of Kaduna State was working on a programme that would provide affordable social mass housing which would accommodate 1000 houses in the rural areas and 300 houses in the Urban areas, across the 23 local government areas of the state.   Yunusa further revealed that the state has attracted a Qatari charity organization to provide 500 housing units for the most vulnerable people in the state, while also assuring that the State government was poised to build 10,000 units of houses in the next four years.   In his introductory remarks, Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Kolapo Raheem explained that the theme for the 12th National Council of Housing was chosen in consideration of the alarming need to galvanize domestic and foreign funds towards meeting the nation’s housing challenges, as well as the enhancement of the country’s overall economic growth and development.   He further urged the participants to explicate their professionalism in the deliberations so as to guide policy formulation that will facilitate affordable housing delivery. ...

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Targets Increased Private Sector Investment for Effective Housing Delivery The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has reiterated the need for increased private sector investment in the housing and urban sector in a bid to better deliver on the Renewed Hope mandate. Delivering the Keynote address during the 2023 Urban October event held at the Conference Hall of the Federal Ministry of Works on Tuesday 31st October 2023, Hon. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Engr Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo noted that the challenges in the sector are huge and requires increased public-private collaboration to address.   Engr Gwarzo acknowledged the impact of rapid urbanisation on development, noting that urban dwellers now account for more than 50% of Nigeria’s population and are expected to increase to 60% by 2030, thereby requiring adequate preparations in the form of urban planning and management to cater to the expected upsurge of population in towns and cities. “We must build the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks. As the world builds and consolidates the foundation of the New Urban Agenda, urgent steps are required to rectify past imperfections by recognizing fully that development is an evolutionary assignment that cannot be entirely resolved by one agency acting alone.   “We envisage an urban future where economic growth and prosperity proceed with equity; one where human exploitation of the natural environment is carried on sustainably; and one where poverty and inequality are attenuated by strong human centred policies,” he said. The Minister of State further recognised the lack of sustainable development financing which is required to achieve the SDGs, including eradicating poverty, and addressing climate change and pollution, noting that government alone cannot handle financing for housing and urban development.   “The Ministry intends to leverage multi-stakeholders and institutional engagements and collaborations to actualise the provision of adequate and affordable housing in both urban and rural areas in secure, healthy, and decent environments for all Nigerians. That is our primary mandate and is one of the cardinal focuses of the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. We, therefore, call for private sector investments in the sector by leveraging on the Ministry’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement already in place to mobilise financing for affordable housing and urban development. We equally welcome international development partners and other stakeholders’ collaboration in this regard,” Gwarzo added.   Urban October is marked to commemorate the World Habitat Day and World Cities Day, both celebrated in October. Tuesday’s event was heralded by streamed remarks by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and the UN-Habitat Executive Director, Maimunah Mohd Sharif. It also featured addresses by heads of federal housing agencies like the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Madu Hamman and Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Sen. Gbenga Ashafa. Also present were the President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Nathaniel Atebije; and representatives of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, and the Millard Fuller Foundation.   The Ministry adopted the global themes; “Resilient Urban Economies: Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery” and “Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All”, in solidarity with UN-Habitat and other organisations at the forefront of urban advocacies. Engr Gwarzo noted that while the government may not have sufficient financing to address the challenges of housing and urbanisation, efforts are already in place to create the enabling environment for private sector investments, including addressing the challenges of land administration, unbundling the titling processes, generating credible data to aid planning, and establishing Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across the nation.   Earlier in his goodwill message, the FHA Managing Director called for an inclusive approach to ensure that resolutions reached at the event will be implemented in a synergised manner. “The time is now for us to make our environment more habitable, secure and environmentally sustainable. The recent development in our nation’s housing industry has clearly shown that we have a federal government that has a clearly defined blueprint that is in tandem with the policies of the UN-Habitat. Efforts must be made to build new cities and regenerate old ones. Through this, not only will we provide houses to our people, we will also deliver more liveable and secure environment to them,” he said. ...