The Federal Government has announced plans to unveil a new strategic housing roadmap before the end of May as part of efforts to boost mass home ownership and expand housing delivery through Public-Private Partnerships nationwide.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, disclosed this on Tuesday during the second edition of the Renewed Hope Housing Public-Private Partnership Summit in Abuja.
According to the minister, the proposed framework would serve as a guide for implementing housing policies and projects in collaboration with private investors and other stakeholders.
Darma said the roadmap was developed after consultations with agencies and departments under the ministry and would focus on transforming housing delivery while stimulating economic growth.
“Whatever plan we come up with, we will pursue diligently to ensure that it delivers meaningful results for Nigerians,” he stated.
He revealed that ongoing housing projects in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State; Lambu in Kano State; and Karsana in Abuja would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu upon completion.
The minister added that the government intended to scale up housing development through sustainable frameworks anchored on strong PPP arrangements, innovative financing models and inclusive participation.
According to him, the initiative is expected to provide thousands of Nigerians with access to affordable housing while creating jobs for artisans, engineers, contractors, suppliers and other professionals in the construction industry.
Darma also disclosed that the ministry, in partnership with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, was currently delivering 1,550 housing units for military personnel to improve their welfare and living conditions.
He assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to completing all ongoing housing projects within reasonable timelines and according to approved standards.
“We remain fully committed to the timely completion and commissioning of all ongoing Renewed Hope Housing Projects across the country,” he said.
The minister called on financial institutions to design flexible mortgage and housing finance products that reflect the economic realities of Nigerians, while urging state governments to provide land and create enabling environments for housing development.
He further revealed that the ministry would commence nationwide inspections next week to verify the availability and readiness of over 15,000 housing units said to be nearing completion across the country.
According to him, the houses, when completed and occupied, could provide accommodation for more than 60,000 Nigerians based on an average family size of four persons.
“I’ve been made to understand that more than 15,000 units of houses are now available to Nigerians. In the next three months, if what I’ve been told is true, more than 15,000 houses will be ready for occupation by Nigerian families,” Darma stated.
He stressed that the ministry would physically inspect the projects to ensure the houses existed beyond paperwork and were truly ready for habitation.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Shuaib Belgore, said the summit would focus on addressing execution challenges in the housing sector, including financing, land access and partnership development needed to deliver housing projects at scale.
