ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has inaugurated a 14-member committee to implement comprehensive housing reforms aimed at boosting the sector’s contribution to the national economy and addressing Nigeria’s estimated 28 million housing deficit.
The committee, inaugurated on Wednesday in Abuja, comprises experts drawn from the public and private sectors, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, and other key stakeholders in the housing value chain.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dangiwa said the committee was tasked with developing a roadmap for the implementation of the reforms contained in the National Housing Policy, including the review of existing legislation, the development of a framework for affordable housing delivery, and the promotion of innovative financing mechanisms to unlock private sector investment in housing.
“The housing sector holds immense potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians,” Dangiwa stated. “This committee is expected to provide the technical expertise and strategic guidance needed to translate our policy objectives into concrete actions that will transform the sector.”
The minister outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include reviewing the Land Use Act and other relevant laws to facilitate access to land for housing development, developing a framework for the establishment of a National Housing Fund that would provide affordable mortgage financing for low- and middle-income earners, and promoting the use of local building materials and modern construction technologies to reduce the cost of housing delivery.
The committee is also expected to develop a framework for the establishment of a National Social Housing Programme that would provide affordable housing for vulnerable groups, including low-income earners, persons with disabilities, and displaced persons. It will also recommend measures to strengthen the capacity of housing sector institutions and improve coordination among federal and state agencies.
Dangiwa noted that Nigeria’s housing deficit has remained persistently high due to a combination of factors, including the high cost of construction, limited access to mortgage financing, land tenure insecurity, and inadequate infrastructure. He said the reforms were designed to address these challenges holistically and create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
The committee is chaired by the Minister, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and the Nigeria Labour Congress. The committee has been given six months to submit its report and recommendations.
The housing sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP currently stands at less than 10 per cent, compared with over 15 per cent in some emerging economies. The minister said the government was targeting a significant increase in the sector’s contribution, with a focus on creating jobs, generating revenue, and improving the quality of life for Nigerians. The committee’s recommendations are expected to form the basis of a new housing reform agenda that will be rolled out across the country.
