Kwara State to Host 14th National Council on Housing: Federal and State Governments Set to Align Policies
The 14th edition of the National Council Meeting is scheduled to commence on January 19, 2026, in Ilorin, Kwara State
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, has identified the National Council on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development as the primary focal point for aligning federal and state policies to reposition Nigeria's built environment. Speaking in Abuja ahead of the council’s upcoming annual meeting, Dr Belgore emphasized that the forum serves as a strategic platform to accelerate sector reforms and harmonize regulatory frameworks across the 36 states of the Federation.
Strategic Importance of the 14th National Council Meeting
The 14th edition of the National Council Meeting is scheduled to commence on January 19, 2026, in Ilorin, Kwara State. According to Dr Belgore, the meeting is a statutory requirement for intergovernmental collaboration. Its primary objective is to review existing sectoral policies and evolve practical solutions to fast-track the delivery of affordable housing under the administration's "Renewed Hope" agenda.
The theme for the 2026 summit is: “Achieving Housing Delivery and Sustainable Cities Through Effective Land Management, Urban Renewal, Promotion of Local Building Materials, and Public-Private Partnership in Nigeria.”
Key Stakeholders and Participation
Hosted by the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the council will gather a high-level assembly of industry leaders and policymakers. Expected participants include:
State Commissioners for Housing and Lands.
Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Lands and Urban Development.
Chief Executive Officers of State Housing Corporations.
Surveyor-Generals and representatives of professional bodies in the built environment.
The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, is the designated Special Guest of Honour. The proceedings will be held at the Kwara Innovation Hub in Ilorin, providing a modernized environment for these high-level deliberations.
Policy Priorities for the 2026 Fiscal Year
The council’s agenda reflects the Ministry's 2026 shift toward a "Completion-First" model. As disclosed in recent strategic reviews, the Ministry intends to prioritise the completion of all ongoing projects specifically the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates- before initiating new large-scale contracts.
Key areas of focus during the Ilorin deliberations will include:
Effective Land Management: Modernising land administration systems to increase security of tenure.
Urban Renewal: Strategies for regenerating deteriorated neighbourhoods and improving basic infrastructure.
Local Building Materials: Promoting indigenous materials to reduce construction costs and boost the local economy.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Expanding the role of the private sector in delivering scalable housing solutions.
Conclusion
The 14th National Council on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development arrives at a decisive moment for Nigeria's housing sector. By bringing together federal and state authorities, the Ministry aims to eliminate policy bottlenecks and ensure a unified front in tackling the nation's housing deficit. The resolutions reached in Ilorin are expected to define the operational roadmap for the Ministry’s 2026 work plan, emphasizing accountability and the timely delivery of habitable homes for Nigerians.
