FG, Stakeholders Chart Path for Low Cost Housing at PEWAN CONFAB.


By Abiola Peters 

The Federal Government is set to unveil the National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) aimed at ensuring that Nigerians have access to decent and dignified accommodation.


Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said this  at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Awards of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria, PEWAN, with the theme:" Resolving the Financial and Regulatory Dilemma to Achieve Renewed Hope Agenda on Housing" held in Lagos.


The Minister who was represented by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry,  Salisu Haiba, explained that the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that all Nigerians, including the LOW AND NO INCOME, vulnerable and underprivileged groups have access to decent and dignified accommodation. We are completing a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to create a National Social Housing Fund. Potential funding sources include budgetary provision, donations from philanthropic organisations, Corporate Social Responsibility and voluntary contributions from Nigerians.


“On Regulations, we have done quite a lot to address the legacy issues that have, over the years, clogged the wheel of progress towards effective housing delivery and urban development in Nigeria. Beyond strengthening the ministry’s and its agencies’ institutional and regulatory frameworks, we are also doing a lot in land administration.”


Speaking on other initiatives to achieve its objectives through the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, he added that the ministry currently has 14 active construction sites nationwide for 10,112 housing units.


“On the other hand, we are currently constructing 12 Renewed Hope Estates, comprising 250 housing units across 12 states, with two from each geo-political zone. The states include Yobe, Gombe (North-East); Nasarawa, Benue (North-Central); Sokoto, Katsina (North-West); Abia, Ebonyi (South-East); and Delta, Akwa Ibom (South-South); totalling 3,000 units.”


Mr Dangiwa pointed out that the housing sector’s potential remains a driver of economic growth, saying the feat is evident in the job opportunities created by the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.


Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Oluyinka Olumide called for stakeholders collaboration with the state government for provision of affordable housing delivery to residents while urging them to take advantage of the amnesty window for building permit in the state.


Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer UPDC, Mr Odunayo Ojo called on the government to improve the income of workers as well as increase collaboration between government and Private Public Partnership to enhance the provision, accessibility and affordability of housing in the country.


Earlier, the Chairperson of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN), Mrs Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, lamented that the country has become entangled in the twin issues of a housing deficit and a high vacancy rate in the real estate sector.


She added, “With the increasing cost of building materials occasioned by high inflation, interest rates and the excruciating impact of the economic policies of the present government on the citizens, home ownership has become an enormous challenge to many.’’


Highpoint of the event was presentation of Awards of Excellence were presented to some distinguished personalities and stakeholders in the Real Estate sector.

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