367 Nigerians Became Homeowners Under FMBN Rent-to-Own Scheme in 2025
Rent-to-Own Scheme Helps 367 Nigerians Secure Homes in 2025
The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) says 367 Nigerians became homeowners under its Rent-to-Own Scheme in 2025, representing housing finance valued at more than ₦7.1 billion. The bank said the programme continues to support affordable homeownership by enabling beneficiaries to move into completed homes and pay for them over time through structured repayment arrangements. The figures were disclosed by FMBN Managing Director and Chief Executive, Shehu Osidi, during FMBN Day at the 2026 Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja.
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Rent-to-Own programme expands homeownership
According to FMBN, the Rent-to-Own Scheme was introduced to help Nigerians overcome the high upfront costs associated with purchasing residential property. Instead of making an immediate full payment, qualified beneficiaries occupy completed housing units and repay the cost through affordable monthly instalments over an agreed period.
The bank said the model is designed to widen access to homeownership, particularly for contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF), while increasing the utilisation of completed housing stock across the country.
Affordable housing remains a priority
FMBN stated that expanding affordable housing finance remains central to its mandate of supporting homeownership and reducing Nigeria's housing deficit.
The bank noted that the Rent-to-Own Scheme complements other housing finance products by providing an alternative pathway for households that may find conventional mortgage financing difficult to access. By spreading payments over several years, the programme aims to reduce the financial burden on prospective homeowners while increasing access to decent housing.
Housing finance supports residential development
The continued implementation of the Rent-to-Own Scheme also provides support for residential developers by improving the uptake of completed housing units.
Housing finance programmes that connect developers with qualified buyers can accelerate housing delivery, reduce the inventory of completed but unoccupied homes and encourage additional investment in residential construction.
For investors and policymakers, effective housing finance mechanisms remain essential to expanding housing supply and improving affordability across Nigeria's residential market.
Implications for Nigeria's housing sector
Access to affordable housing finance continues to be one of the major constraints to homeownership in Nigeria.
Industry stakeholders have consistently identified flexible financing options as a key requirement for addressing the country's housing deficit. Schemes that reduce initial acquisition costs can help improve homeownership rates while supporting growth in the formal housing market.
The latest figures indicate continued demand for structured housing finance solutions that make homeownership more accessible to eligible Nigerians.
Outlook
The addition of 367 new homeowners under the Rent-to-Own Scheme highlights the continuing role of housing finance in expanding access to residential property. As FMBN continues to implement affordable housing initiatives, attention will remain on scaling housing finance, increasing beneficiary participation and supporting the delivery of additional homes to help address Nigeria's housing deficit.
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