The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, announced that the federal government, through his ministry, has successfully developed and upgraded over 100 slums and urban renewal projects across Nigeria in the past two years. The initiatives include improvements to water supply, drainage systems, roads, sanitation, street lighting, and other essential infrastructure, along with interventions in schools and hospitals.
Dangiwa made the statement during a meeting with Uba M. Ahmadu, the Minister of State for Regional Development, in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two ministries to enhance their respective goals and achieve better service delivery for Nigerians.
“This kind of partnership allows us to exchange ideas, share resources, and enhance our ministerial service delivery,” Dangiwa explained. He also highlighted the ongoing development of over 1,000 housing units by his ministry, with plans to expand these efforts further with input from other agencies involved.
The housing minister reiterated the government’s commitment to providing affordable housing for Nigerians through urban renewal projects. He specifically mentioned the Renewed Hope Cities, which consist of blocks of flats, duplexes, and terraces planned for every geopolitical zone in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The ministry plans to build 250 units of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom flats across two locations in each zone, covering all 36 states.
Dangiwa also spotlighted the National Social Housing Programme, aimed at providing affordable housing for low-income earners and vulnerable citizens. The program will begin by constructing 100 houses in each local government area.
According to Dangiwa, housing construction plays a key role in job creation, with over 10,112 ongoing projects expected to generate around 250,000 jobs, estimating 25 jobs per house.
Permanent Secretaries Dr. Shuaib Belgore of the Ministry of Housing and Mrs. Tinuke Watti of the Ministry of Regional Development also joined the discussion, noting that President Buhari has already inaugurated several housing projects across the country, including 3,112 houses funded through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Abuja, 2,000 in Lagos, and 2,000 in Kano.
Earlier, Uba M. Ahmadu, the Minister of State for Regional Development, explained that the establishment of the Regional Development Ministry was intended to bring development directly to the grassroots through its commissions. He emphasized the importance of collaboration to avoid duplication of projects, specifically mentioning a 1,000-unit housing estate in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, which he suggested could benefit from joint efforts between the two ministries.
The Regional Development Ministry is focused on urban renewal, infrastructure development, and smart housing initiatives, and is exploring financing models to support these efforts. Both ministers expressed optimism that continued collaboration would lead to significant improvements in urban development across the country.
Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the Housing Ministry, welcomed the partnership and hoped that it would result in tangible benefits for Nigerians, furthering the government’s commitment to addressing housing challenges in the country.
