Africa-Led Vote, Shifts Global Power Dynamics As UN-Habitat Adopts Strategic Plan 

By Adamu S Ladan 
 

In a landmark but contentious decision, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has officially adopted its Strategic Plan for 2026–2029. 

The vote-based adoption—strongly championed by the Africa Group—broke from the tradition of consensus, drawing criticism from the United States but hailed by developing nations as a necessary evolution in global governance.

The Plan aims to tackle the global housing crisis, which affects an estimated 2.8 billion people, by focusing on three transformative pillars: Inclusive Prosperity, Preparedness and Reconstruction, and Climate Sustainability.

The Africa Group, with broad support from other developing regions, drove the momentum for the plan’s adoption, citing urgency in responding to mounting urban challenges across the Global South.

Speaking shortly after the vote, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, praised the process and substance of the Strategic Plan:
 

“This is a major victory for equity in global urban development. Africa’s urban needs can no longer be sidelined. The Strategic Plan gives voice to our realities and puts us on a path to sustainable, inclusive progress.”

Echoing this sentiment,  most diplomats of the Africa Group at the UN-Habitat Assembly, hailed the development as one of them said:
 

“Consensus is ideal, but justice is essential. The vote reflects a democratic affirmation of our priorities. For too long, the Global South has waited. Today, we acted.”

The United States delegation, while acknowledging the importance of the Plan’s content, sharply criticized the process by which it was adopted. A senior U.S. official described the move as “disappointing and counterproductive”, arguing that the absence of consensus undermines the spirit of multilateralism.
 

“We support the vision of inclusive urban development, but the manner of adoption threatens the cohesion necessary for implementing it effectively,” the delegate noted.

Observers suggest the U.S. may now shift focus toward influencing implementation, leveraging its financial contributions and partnerships to shape the direction of programming.

UN-Habitat Executive Director, Anaclaudia Rossbach acknowledged the division but emphasized the agency’s commitment to delivering on its mandate:
 

“ We are committed to working with all partners, regardless of the path taken to this moment.”

The outcome of the Assembly has prompted broader reflection on the state of global cooperation. Analysts view the vote as a signal of shifting power dynamics, where emerging economies are increasingly asserting their interests within multilateral institutions.

 Roosevel Chibudhom of Nigeria Mission in Kenya, and one of strong pillars of the Africa Group noted:
“That the development has real implications for how global development priorities are set and executed.”

As implementation of the Strategic Plan begins, the challenge will lie in maintaining cohesion and securing the resources necessary to deliver on its bold ambitions. The Plan’s emphasis on inter-agency collaboration and SDG alignment offers a roadmap for progress—but only if geopolitical tensions do not derail execution.

For the Africa Group and its allies, the vote marks a defining moment—proof that their collective voice can shape the global agenda. For the United States and others, it serves as a call to reengage diplomatically to preserve consensus without stifling reform.
 

In a world of deepening urban crises and shifting alliances, the adoption of the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan may be remembered not just for its contents, but for how it redefined the rules of international cooperation.
 

The Easter Message from Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.

As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I extend my warmest Easter wishes to all Nigerians. This joyous occasion reminds us of the triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and love over hate.

Let us also acknowledge the struggles and challenges that many of our fellow citizens face. We must recognize the plight of those who are still searching for a safe and affordable home, a basic necessity that is essential to human dignity.

As Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, I am committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to decent and affordable housing. We are working tirelessly to implement policies and programs that will increase the availability of affordable housing units, improve the quality of existing housing stock, and promote sustainable urban development.

Let us also renew our commitment to building a better Nigeria for all. Let us strive to create a society that is just, equitable, and prosperous for every citizen. Let us work together to ensure that our cities and towns are safe, clean, and livable for all.

Once again, I wish you a happy Easter. May this blessed occasion bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. May we emerge from this Easter season with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to building a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.

-  Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.
 

WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AT THE MINISTERIAL RETREAT ON PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HELD AT SANDRALIA HOTEL, JABI, ABUJA – 3RD JULY, 2025

Protocol:

The Honourable Minister,

The Honourable Minister of State,

The Permanent Secretary,

Directors and Heads of Departments and Units,

Esteemed Resource Persons,

Distinguished Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this Ministerial Retreat on the Performance Management System (PMS), convened in accordance with the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, as outlined in the circular of 11th March, 2025.

This retreat is a critical platform for consolidating our collective resolve to institutionalize a performance-driven culture across the Ministry. The PMS is not merely a procedural obligation, it is a transformational framework for aligning individual, departmental, and institutional output with Ministerial priorities and national development goals.

In the past year, the Ministry has recorded remarkable progress in embedding the PMS. Among the key milestones achieved are:

1. The successful cascading and signing of the 2024 Performance Contracts from the institutional to the individual level;
2. The development and tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) directly tied to Ministerial Deliverables;
3. The conduct of quarterly performance reviews with timely reports submitted to the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU); and
4. The consistent observance of PMS Day, as mandated by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, fostering accountability and continuous tracking of outcomes.

These efforts have created a strong foundation for the 2025 cycle. Accordingly, this retreat seeks to:

1. Review our 2024 performance to identify critical success factors and constraints;
2. Agree on performance expectations and KPIs for 2025;
3. Facilitate the signing of the 2025 Performance Contracts across all levels;
4. Develop actionable Individual Development Plans to address capacity gaps; and
5. Reaffirm our readiness for seamless monitoring and timely quarterly reporting, as required.

It is important to reiterate that non-compliance with PMS guidelines, as emphasized by the Head of Service will attract sanctions. We are firmly in the era of accountability and result-based management. The business-as-usual approach is no longer acceptable.

Permit me at this juncture to specially acknowledge and commend the Honourable Minister for his visionary leadership and unwavering drive in repositioning the Ministry as a key enabler of affordable and accessible housing across the nation. His bold reforms and strategic initiatives have continued to inspire impactful programmes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Equally, I wish to appreciate the Honourable Minister of State for his strong policy support and active engagement in the implementation of the Ministry’s mandates. His commitment to inclusive development and results-based governance has significantly bolstered the Ministry’s reform trajectory.

I must also sincerely commend the Permanent Secretary for his exemplary administrative leadership, dedication to performance management reforms, and consistent support in ensuring the timely delivery of Ministerial priorities.

Furthermore, I acknowledge the strategic guidance of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, for championing the implementation and oversight of the Performance Management System across the Federal Public Service.

Distinguished colleagues, the responsibility of sustaining and building on this momentum lies with each one of us. I urge you to approach this retreat with open minds, constructive engagement, and a shared commitment to innovation and service excellence.

Let us work together to ensure the 2025 PMS cycle is implemented not only efficiently but in a manner that sets new standards for performance in the public service.

I wish us all a productive and impactful retreat.

Thank you and God bless.

SPECIAL ADDRESS BY ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA, HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AT THE MINISTERIAL RETREAT ON PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND SIGNING OF 2025 PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS HELD ON THURSDAY, 3RD JULY 2025, AT SANDRALIA HOTEL, JABI, ABUJA

Theme: Accelerating Service Delivery through Performance Contracting and Strategic Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda

PROTOCOLS

The Permanent Secretary,
Directors and Heads of Departments and Units,
Our distinguished colleagues from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit,
 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Let me begin by once again warmly welcoming everyone to this important Ministerial Retreat and the official signing of our 2025 Performance Contracts. This event provides us a moment to reflect, to refocus, and to recommit ourselves to the responsibility we have been entrusted with.
2. His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has laid out a bold and ambitious vision through the Renewed Hope Agenda. As a Ministry, we play a key role in delivering on that promise—through housing, urban infrastructure, and land reforms. That responsibility is heavy, and rightly so. The expectations from the public—and from the President—are high.
3. As you are all aware we started off very strong but the journey has not been easy. One of the major hurdles we have faced is funding. Budget releases have been slow, and we are all aware of the broader financial pressures the government is grappling with. These constraints have affected project timelines and limited what we could deliver.
4. But that is exactly why we need to think differently. We can not  afford to rely solely on traditional funding methods. We need to be innovative. We need to build strong partnerships—especially through Public-Private Partnerships. PPPs give us the opportunity to tap into private sector resources, unlock capital, and bring in expertise to get things done faster and better.
5. As you are all already aware, our 2025 deliverables are clear and targeted. They include:
   1. Delivering 20,000 housing units across the country;
   2. Creating incentives to attract private investment into local building materials production;
   3. Expanding land registration and documentation programmes to ensure security of tenure;
   4. Setting up a National Land Commission to anchor and coordinate land reforms;
   5. And fully rolling out a performance-based management system across all departments and units.
6. These are real targets tied to national priorities and the President’s Performance Bond—which, as you know, is being closely tracked through the dashboards and scorecards developed by the CDCU.
7. I want to take a moment to appreciate the support of the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. Your guidance and collaboration have been invaluable. But more importantly, the insights and systems you’ve introduced must now reflect in how we work every day.
8. I also want to thank all of you—the staff and leadership of this Ministry—for your efforts so far. I know the sacrifices many of you make daily to keep things moving, especially in these tough times. But the truth is, we need to dig even deeper. We need more discipline, more creativity, and an even stronger commitment to delivering results.
9. So as we sign these performance contracts today, let us treat them not as formalities, but as a renewed pledge—to serve, to deliver, and to keep pushing, no matter the obstacles.
10. I remain fully committed to leading this charge, and I am counting on each and every one of you to do your part. Let’s move together—with focus, with integrity, and with a shared sense of purpose.
11. On that note, I have the honour to formally declare this Ministerial Retreat on Performance Management and the Signing of the 2025 Performance Contracts open.
12. Thank you, and God bless the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.