The Federal Government Unveils Strategy to Reduce Housing Costs Through Regional Building Material Hubs
The Federal Government has announced a new national strategy to cut housing construction costs and expand access to affordable homes by establishing Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative, unveiled at a Housing Summit in Abuja, forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to address the country’s widening housing deficit through innovation, local production, and sector-wide collaboration.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, emphasised that rising prices of cement, steel, roofing sheets, and other building components continue to undermine affordability for millions of Nigerians. Represented by the Director of Public Building and Development, Pemi Temitope, the Minister stated that the government now considers housing a central economic pillar rather than a fiscal burden.
Dangiwa explained that the proposed material hubs will reduce reliance on imports, stabilise supply chains, and lower construction costs for developers and homebuyers. He added that the initiative will also support job creation and stimulate local manufacturing capacity.
Stakeholders Call for Technology, Collaboration, and Sustainable Financing
Former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, called for greater adoption of modern construction technologies, stressing that traditional building methods cannot keep pace with Nigeria’s accelerating population growth. He urged policymakers and developers to prioritise innovative financing structures capable of delivering homes at scale.
Summit Convener and retired Permanent Secretary, Dr Yemi Adelakun, noted that previous government-led housing programmes produced limited long-term impact. Citing the success of the Jakande estates in Lagos, he urged stakeholders to work towards replicating durable, affordable, and continuously replenished housing models—what he termed “Tinubu Houses.”
Adelakun also highlighted the broader economic value of well-executed housing projects, including job creation and increased market activity. He disclosed that keys to recently completed housing units will soon be handed to members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps cooperatives, as part of efforts to enhance access for critical workforce segments.
New Digital Platform Aims to Boost Homeownership
In addition to physical infrastructure, Adelakun announced the introduction of PropPay, a digital platform designed to pool housing savings and streamline access to mortgage loans. The platform is expected to support prospective homeowners seeking structured financial pathways to property acquisition.
The summit, themed “Innovative Financing for Affordable Housing Under the Renewed Hope Agenda: Collaboration Imperatives for Housing Delivery,” convened policymakers, developers, cooperatives, and industry experts to examine structural challenges within the housing sector and outline actionable reforms
Conclusion
The government’s plan to establish regional building material hubs marks a significant policy shift aimed at reducing construction costs, boosting local production, and accelerating affordable housing delivery nationwide. Its success will depend on coordinated implementation, private-sector collaboration, and sustained investment in technology and finance systems capable of meeting Nigeria’s long-term housing needs.
