Since assuming office as the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has embarked on a transformative path in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, eager to significantly impact the housing sector. A close look at the initiatives unveiled at the dawn of his administration has shown that, perhaps, he is not cut from the same cloth as those who have bastardized the system over the years.
These transformative initiatives are cardinal yardsticks for measuring Arc. Dangiwa’s progress and making projections for future housing sector development. The comprehensive plans for housing and urban development encompass a range of key initiatives, including, Reforming Federal Housing Institutions, Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, National Social Housing Fund and Online Renewed Hope Housing Portal. Others are the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, National Land Registration and Documentation Programme and Reliable Housing Data for Policy Formulation.
These initiatives, it is easy to notice, do not only align with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the housing sector, but also resonate with the hopes of stakeholders across the housing and urban development spectrum.
Reforming Federal Housing Institutions
One of the top items on Arc. Dangiwa’s housing sector transformative strategies is the reform of federal housing institutions, including the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF). These institutions were before now, reportedly plagued by inefficiencies, hampering their ability to deliver on their expected mandates. This strategic initiative, beyond restructuring of the institutions, also focuses on a thorough legislative overhaul of key housing laws.
The proposed amendments to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act, the FMBN Establishment Act, and the FHA Act, among others, are expected to create a more robust framework for housing delivery. This initiative is indicative of Arc. Dangiwa’s commitment to ensuring that these institutions are not just functional but are driving forces in achieving the housing goals of the nation.
While these efforts are ongoing, it is worth noting that the two leading Federal housing agencies, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), witnessed leadership changes on February 15, 2024, following a nod by President Tinubu. This change, according to the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, was to reposition the agencies to effectively meet up with the President’s expectations for housing. In line with the directives of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, the agencies have since been assigned deliverables with a broader vision of improving housing accessibility and affordability as well as overall housing sector development.
Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme
First launched in February, 2024, by President Tinubu in Karsana, Abuja, the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme stands out as a landmark initiative under Arc. Dangiwa’s leadership. The initiative, poised to deliver 50,000 housing units across Nigeria in its first phase will be spread across the country, with each geopolitical zone and the FCT hosting a city of at least 1,000 housing units, while the remaining 30 states will each have a 250-unit estate.
With this housing programme, the Minister asserted the plan to unlock the massive potential of housing development to create jobs, uplift lives, and boost economic development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President to stimulate inclusive growth, lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, and build a $1 trillion economy.
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Already, the first and second leg of the groundbreaking exercises have been completed with the groundbreaking of 1,500 housing units in the North-West and Northeastern parts of Nigeria including 250-housing unit Renewed Hope Estates, one each in Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, and Sokoto, and a 500-housing unit Renewed Hope City in Kano for the first leg. The second leg comprises a total of 2,000 Renewed Hope Housing units across eight (8) states in the South and North Central, with 250 units each in Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta State, and Osun. Others are Oyo, Benue, Nasarawa. These developments are designed to cater to all income brackets, featuring a range of housing options from one-bedroom units to five-bedroom duplexes. What sets this initiative apart is its integrated approach, combining residential units with essential infrastructure and social amenities.
National Social Housing Fund
Cognizant of the need for affordable housing solutions for low and no-income earners, the Ministry, under the leadership of Arc. Dangiwa, is in the process of implementing its National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) for the provision of accessible housing to Nigerians in the low and no income segment, the underprivileged as well as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Minister revealed plans to begin with a minimum of 100 houses in the 774 local governments Nationwide where the underprivileged, IDPs as well as the no income can have access to affordable housing.
Moreover, it is on record that the Ministry has commenced the sale of houses built under the National Housing Program through advertisements. This initiative is particularly crucial given the high cost of housing and the limited financial capacity of many Nigerians to afford mortgages. The NSHF aims to provide an accessible pool of funds that would enable these vulnerable groups to acquire decent housing.
The fund is expected to draw from various sources, including savings from fuel subsidy removal, contributions from pension fund administrators, and corporate social responsibility funds. This multi-pronged funding approach is designed to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the housing programme, thereby addressing the housing needs of the most disadvantaged Nigerians.
Online Housing Portal for Homeownership
One of his most noteworthy achievements is the launch of the Renewed Hope Housing Delivery Portal. This innovative online platform aims to streamline the process of homeownership for Nigerians by providing a transparent and efficient system for accessing government-backed housing schemes.
Through the portal, https://renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng/, potential homeowners can easily check what they can afford, browse available homes, fill out a form to indicate interest, and receive a provisional letter of allocation— all online and ready to print. This user-friendly approach eliminates bureaucratic hurdles and makes the dream of owning a home a tangible reality. This way, the rate of homeownership in the country is expected to increase substantially.
The platform offers various homeownership options, including outright purchase, mortgage, and rent-to-own schemes. It also features tools that allow users to search for properties based on their specific needs and financial capabilities. By embracing digital technology, the Ministry is taking major strides towards transparency and efficiency in the housing sector.
National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme
Urban renewal and slum upgrading are critical components of Dangiwa’s housing sector transformation strategy. The Ministry has expanded its Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme to, so far, cover 26 sites nationwide, including 24 sites across the six geopolitical zones and two in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These projects are focused on improving basic infrastructure such as water supply, sanitation, and road access in slum areas.
The initiative is not just about providing housing but also about enhancing the overall quality of life for residents in these underserved areas. By addressing the infrastructural deficits in slums, the housing ministry is helping to create more livable environments that can foster social and economic development and improve on the standard of living of Nigerians.
National Land Registration and Documentation Programme
Land acquisition and registration have long been bottlenecks in Nigeria’s housing sector. To address this, the Housing Minister, Arc. Dangiwa, initiated the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme. The initiative is a collaboration between the Housing Ministry and the World Bank on the National Land Titling Programme. This initiative aims to streamline land administration processes, making it easier and more cost-effective for Nigerians to acquire land for housing.
The programme’s goal is ambitious: to improve land formalization from the current less than 10% to 50% over the next decade. By doing so, the Ministry hopes to reduce land disputes, enhance land tenure security, and ultimately make land more accessible for housing development. This initiative is crucial for ensuring that the housing projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda can proceed without the delays that typically arise from land-related issues.
Reliable Housing Data for Policy Formulation
Another area where Dangiwa saw a dire need to transform when he was called upon to head the Ministry of Housing is the area of improving the housing data of the country. At present, a quick search of Nigeria’s housing deficit data shows differing figures from different sources. To address this longstanding challenge of conflicting housing deficit estimates in Nigeria, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, through this initiative of Arc. Dangiwa, is collaborating with the National Population Commission to develop a reliable data collection mechanism.
This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s housing needs, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Accurate data will enable the Ministry to allocate resources strategically, design targeted interventions, and effectively monitor progress in meeting the nation’s housing goals. The move is expected to bolster the credibility of Nigeria’s housing sector and facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
Looking at the Years Ahead
The Minister’s seven transformative initiatives are expected to address the nation’s housing challenges head-on. The success of these initiatives are not only expected to provide homes for millions of Nigerians but also stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and contribute to national development. As these plans unfold, they would undoubtedly mark a significant turning point in the quest for adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing in Nigeria.
Under the leadership of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is taking bold steps to transform Nigeria’s housing landscape. However, it is not yet uhuru for the sector, considering the huge deficit, forcing the Minister to request an increase in budgetary allocation for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme to N500 Billion annually; a request for which he received a nod from the National Assembly Committees on housing. As the Minister clocks one year in office, Nigerians can assess the Minister based on these initiatives and determine what the next few years may portend for the nation.
