Minister of Housing Unveils Plan to Build Renewed Hope Cities Nationwide • Phase 1 to Create 240,000 Jobs   Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has unveiled plans to build Renewed Hope Cities Nationwide as part of government efforts to promote integrated and functional communities in Nigeria.   The Renewed Hope Cities will have inclusivity at their core. Phase 1 of the project aims to deliver 34,500 housing units in a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom affordable bungalows in Nigeria’s thirty (30) states; multi-level flats to cater to low-medium income earners and terrace and detached bungalows and duplexes for the high-income earners in select state capitals including Lagos, Kano, Borno, Nasarawa, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).   Arc. Dangiwa revealed this when he received the Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, October 19, 2023.   Speaking on the plans, the Minister espoused a multi-agency approach and private sector-led approach to delivering the project: “Overall, we aim to deliver under the phase 1 of this project, a total of 34,500 homes from a mix of sponsors comprising the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s budgetary allocation, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and through Public-Private Partnerships with reputable developers.”   Additionally, he said that to ensure affordability and quick offtake of the houses by Nigerians, the Ministry has outlined the following mix of ownership options for potential beneficiaries. This includes leveraging the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to enable beneficiaries to access single mortgage loans payable over 30 years using the FMBN NHF Mortgage loan window, Primary Mortgage Banks, and the mechanism of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) to enable beneficiaries who desire homes that are beyond the range offered by FMBN to access home loans at commercial rates.   “We plan to partner the private sector developers to sell the high-end buildings at commercial rates so we can apply the profits towards reducing the cost of the units targeting low-income earners” he added.   The Minister also said off-takers will also be encouraged to own the homes using the FMBN Rent-to-Own housing product which allows contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme to move into a home without equity payment and pay towards ownership over a maximum of 30 years depending on their age.   “To increase affordability, we are also exploring Public Rental where Nigerians who cannot afford to own their homes can rent housing units and pay on a monthly basis. They will also have an option to own the houses when their incomes improve,” he added.   “With the above affordability mix, Nigerians within the low- and medium-income brackets will have a wide range of convenient homeownership options to choose from to own their homes,” he said.   To deliver this, the Minister said the Ministry will need the support of State Governors in accessing free land as their contribution to the government’s plans to deliver affordable housing to all segments of the population.   “In our plan to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing, one major area where we seek your support and collaboration is the provision of land. With this project alone, we aim to create over 240,000 jobs at 7 per housing unit. This is in line with Mr. President's goal to create jobs, lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, and grow the economy. To do this, we would need access to land at no cost from State Governments. Land is a major component of housing cost, so by giving us land, we would be ticking off a huge cost that will make it possible for the Ministry to deliver the houses at a price that Nigerians can afford,” he added.   He said that the Ministry has written letters to be sent to all State Governors seeking about 50 hectares of land for the Renewed Hope Cities. “I am sure that your Excellency will be kind and gracious enough to honor our request,” he added.   The Minister also noted other areas requiring the support of the Governor to include the reform of the Land Use Act, the passage and adoption of the foreclosure law, and setting up of mortgage.   In his response, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Kefas, commended the Minister for the bold housing plans, saying that they fit into his state’s vision for inclusive and sustainable development.   “We are confident that the Renewed Hope Cities will not only create much-needed housing solutions but also generate significant employment opportunities for our people. Taraba State is ready to collaborate in every possible way to ensure the success of this project, bringing us one step closer to realizing the dream of adequate housing for all Nigerians. Once again, I commend the Ministry and assure you of our support in this laudable housing delivery plan,” Dr. Kefas added. ...

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Engages Un-Habitat on Funding, Technical Support for Nationwide Urban Renewal and Slum Grading Projects   The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has expressed commitment to deepening partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) towards mobilizing multi-lateral funding and technical support for planned Nationwide Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrading Program under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government. The program aims to improve living conditions in Nigeria’s urban areas and transform informal settlements into vibrant, integrated neighborhoods with access to essential services, while preventing the proliferation of slums.   Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa stated this during a meeting with a delegation of UN-Habitat, led by the Director, Regional Office for Africa, Oumar Sylla, at the Ministry’s headquarters on Thursday October 19, 2023 at the nation’s capital, Abuja.   The Minister observed that UN-Habitat’s new vision of “a better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world” aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, and called on the body to support the bold plans of the ministry to increase access to decent, quality, and affordable housing for all Nigerians, including those that fall within the low and medium-income segments of the country.   “We are counting on UN-Habitat to continue to render its technical support to the ministry as the focal point for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make our towns and cities safe, resilient, and sustainable.   “Additionally, we would like to seek UN-Habitat’s collaboration in advancing the SDGs. Specific areas include helping us to mobilise multilateral funding for our Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrading Programme and the New City Development Project”, he said.   Speaking further, Dangiwa appreciated UN-Habitat for assisting with the review of the National Urban Development Policy (NUDP) and assured of the ministry’s commitment to complete and adopt the document with the technical support of the organization.   He further called for deepened collaboration between the ministry and UN-Habitat, noting that the meeting should mark a new, bolder, innovative, and more impactful partnership between the two parties; one that will see the ministry explore all the potentials and capacities of UN-Habitat to help achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.   “I am impressed with your strategic plan for the period 2020-2023. In it, I see several points of intersection with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our government. This includes reduced spatial inequality and poverty in communities across the urban-rural continuum; enhanced shared prosperity of cities and regions; strengthened climate action and improved urban environment; as well as effective urban crisis prevention and response”, Dangiwa added.   Also discussed at the meeting was Nigeria’s $250,000 annual funding support to the UN-Habitat Support Office (UN-HAPSO) in Nigeria. The Minister assured the delegation of Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations and has already set in motion the process to pay its statutory contribution to UN-Habitat, which was delayed due to the transition to a new administration in the country. He further stated that continued funding support to UN-Habitat’s office in Nigeria will reposition the office to adequately play its role in providing technical support services to housing and urban development stakeholders in the country.   The visit of UN-Habitat’s delegation comes as the ministry continues to unveil plans to make affordable homeownership accessible to more Nigerians, while also building sustainable cities and upgrading slums in the country. The intention of the ministry is to leverage the partnership with UN-Habitat to foster speedy and sustainable implementation of its plans for housing and urban development.   Arc. Dangiwa, therefore, called for series of future engagements with UN Habitat so that the activities and programmes mapped out in any future work plan will align with the priorities of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as mandated to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.   Responding, Oumar Sylla, the leader of the delegation, assured the Honourable Minister that the 2023-2027 work plan of the UN-Habitat for the country will definitely be aligned with the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration. About UN Habitats: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system.   UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty. ...

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Calls on Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors to Uphold Ethics and Standards   Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has called upon the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to champion ethics and excellence within the construction and building sector in Nigeria. This call was made during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Institute to the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.   Emphasizing the vital role that the Institute plays in maintaining and elevating industry standards within the construction and building sector in Nigeria, the Minister stressed the importance of setting and upholding high ethical and professional standards among its members. He urged NIQS to take stringent disciplinary actions against those engaged in substandard practices. By doing so, he emphasized, the Institute would protect the reputation of the profession and substantially contribute to the safety and quality of construction in Nigeria.   According to Arc. Dangiwa, the Institute is a critical partner in the Ministry’s efforts to develop cost-effective housing designs and promote the construction of quality and affordable housing that caters to the income profiles of 80 percent of Nigerians falling within the low- and medium-income bracket.   “One of the central pillars of my tenure as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development is the prioritization of affordable housing. It is of utmost importance that we address the housing needs of the 80 percent of Nigeria's population who fall within the no-income, low to medium earners category. These hardworking citizens are equally deserving of living in decent, well-planned homes and neighborhoods that reflect the principles of inclusivity and fairness. Achieving this requires affordable housing design concepts based on the most efficient bills of quantities,” he stated.   He noted that in his first week in office, he set up an Affordable Housing Design Committee to develop more efficient design options that fit the income profiles of Nigerians within the low- and medium-income bracket.   “Our Ministry professionals have done a great job and we ll like to have your comments before we unveil them to the public. Our goal is to come up with the most efficient, workable, and sustainable affordable designs that will help us deliver on our mandate,” he noted.   “Your profession plays a key role in the delivery of affordable housing. Your ability to manage costs, optimize resources, and ensure quality and compliance directly impacts the feasibility of affordable housing projects. By leveraging your expertise, we can create sustainable, well-built, and affordable housing solutions for communities, promoting social development and economic progress.   Indeed, quantity surveyors are the custodians of fiscal responsibility in construction. Your discerning eyes prevent wastage, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently. Through their expertise, they pave the way for affordable housing without compromise.”   Furthermore, the Minister expressed his deep appreciation for the expertise of quantity surveyors and acknowledged their ability to optimize resources, manage costs, and guarantee quality, all of which directly influence the feasibility of affordable housing projects.    He encouraged the NIQS to actively collaborate with the government in the ongoing review of building standards and regulations. The Minister emphasized the importance of aligning industry benchmarks with global best practices, ensuring they reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of the Nigerian construction sector.   In his remarks, President Shonubi Michael Olayemi commended the Ministry’s proactive approach towards affordable housing and assured the Minister of the NIQS’s commitment to collaboration. He reiterated the Institute's dedication to maintaining high standards within the industry and emphasized the importance of continuous professional development for quantity surveyors.   “The NIQS is deeply committed to ensuring that our members adhere to the highest ethical standards. We will collaborate with the Ministry to provide expert input during the review of building standards and regulations. Together, we can contribute significantly to the development of quality and affordable housing in Nigeria,” President Olayemi stated. ...