Housing Minister Urges Sub-National Collaboration for National Homeownership Campaign
The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has called on state governors and industry stakeholders to provide institutional support for the National Homeownership Campaign. This initiative aims to address Nigeria’s significant housing deficit by fostering a collaborative environment between federal, state, and private sector actors to increase the supply of affordable housing units across the federation.
Strategic Alignment for Housing Delivery
The Minister’s call emphasizes the necessity of a unified approach to land administration and urban planning. Dangiwa highlighted that the Federal Government cannot bridge the housing gap in isolation. He urged state governments to streamline land titling processes and waive certain administrative bottlenecks that currently hinder large scale residential developments.
For the National Homeownership Campaign to succeed, sub national governments must integrate their development agendas with the federal "Renewed Hope" housing framework. This alignment is expected to unlock dormant capital in the real estate sector and provide the legal certainty required for long-term institutional investment.
Stakeholder Engagement and Financial Inclusion
The campaign focuses on making homeownership accessible to low and middle income earners. The Minister noted that stakeholders, including mortgage banks and primary developers, must innovate to provide sustainable financing models. Central to this strategy is the expansion of mortgage facilities and the utilization of the National Housing Fund (NHF) to lower the entry barriers for first time buyers.
According to Ministry data, the government is targeting the construction of thousands of units across various geopolitical zones. However, the Minister stressed that the private sector must take a lead role in construction, while the government provides the enabling environment through fiscal incentives and off-take guarantees.
Challenges in Land Acquisition and Infrastructure
A significant portion of the Minister’s address focused on the "Land Reform Task Team," which is working to modernize the Land Use Act. Dangiwa noted that without transparent land governance, the cost of housing will remain prohibitively high. He requested that states dedicate specific land portions for the National Homeownership Campaign, ensuring these areas are serviced with primary infrastructure like roads and power to reduce the final cost to the consumer.
Furthermore, the Minister encouraged developers to adopt cost-effective building technologies. By utilizing local materials and standardized designs, the industry can mitigate the inflationary pressures currently affecting the cost of traditional construction materials like cement and steel.
Future Outlook for the Housing Sector
The National Homeownership Campaign represents a structural shift toward a more inclusive property market. If states and private stakeholders respond effectively to the Minister’s call, the initiative could serve as a catalyst for urban renewal and job creation within the construction value chain. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development maintains that the success of this campaign will be measured by the increase in the national homeownership rate, which currently lags behind many of Nigeria's emerging market peers.
