The Federal Government has announced plans to collaborate with state governments and various stakeholders to address Nigeria’s substantial housing deficit, estimated at 15 million units.
During the closing ceremony of the 14th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development held in Ilorin, Kwara State, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, made this declaration on Thursday.
The event, themed "Achieving Housing Delivery and Sustainable Cities through Effective Land Management, Urban Renewal, Promotion of Local Building Materials, and Public-Private Partnerships in Nigeria,” was organized by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
While discussing the theme, Dangiwa introduced a Unified Housing Delivery Framework aimed at synchronizing federal housing agencies with implementation at the state level.
According to him, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, and Family Homes Funds Limited will operate as an integrated system.
As part of this framework, the minister explained that states are to provide land, essential infrastructure, and financial contributions, while federal institutions are tasked with mobilizing long-term financing, technical assistance, and accessible mortgage solutions.
Dangiwa urged state administrations, development partners, private investors, and professional organizations to endorse the National Homeownership and Housing Development Campaign, which is expected to launch in Katsina State in March 2026.
“Current data indicates that Nigeria's housing shortfall is around 15 million units, a more reliable figure compared to the previously cited 20 million or higher,” he noted.
The minister also remarked that the complexities surrounding Nigeria's housing issues cannot be resolved without overhauling the nation’s land administration system.
He emphasized that the National Land Titling, Registration, and Documentation Programme (Land4Growth) is crucial to the ministry's reform initiatives.
“In 2025, we achieved robust national stakeholder engagement through high- level discussions in Abuja and Lagos, supported by World Bank missions to Kaduna, Kano, and Niger States,” Dangiwa mentioned.
He revealed that over the past year, the ministry has issued 1,743 Certificates of Occupancy, approved 345 secondary transactions, including mortgages and consents, and finalized 32 valuation approvals across the country.
Dangiwa highlighted urban renewal as a national imperative, noting that rapid urbanization is challenging existing infrastructure and planning capabilities.
Through the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, he stated that the ministry has successfully completed “more than 240 projects nationwide, with over 100 more currently in various stages of completion.”
On the topic of housing affordability, Dangiwa pointed out that Nigeria's dependence on imported building materials is a significant factor driving costs up.
The Federal Government is working towards establishing Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs to enhance local production, lower construction expenses, and improve housing value chains.
Furthermore, Dangiwa said the ministry has made advancements in major Public- Private Partnership housing projects under the Renewed Hope Cities initiative in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano, with certain phases nearing completion and house sales already in progress.
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