Housing Ministry Launches Skills Audit After Retiring 1,600 Staff in 18 Months
The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has launched a comprehensive personnel and skills audit following the retirement of over 1,600 staff in the last 18 months, a development that has left the ministry understaffed and struggling to meet its supervision and project delivery mandates.
Speaking in Abuja during the flag-off of the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) Project, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said the shortage of professionals has hindered the ministry’s capacity to effectively oversee housing projects nationwide. He noted that the audit aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25) initiated by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to enhance efficiency and workforce management across ministries.
Belgore emphasized that the audit will update personnel data, assess existing capacities, and identify critical human resource gaps that must be filled to support the ministry’s affordable housing and urban development objectives. He also commended the commitment of staff who continue to deliver despite resource limitations, adding that the results of the audit will guide targeted recruitment, training, and deployment decisions.
Reforming Human Capital Systems
The Permanent Secretary urged the consulting team to ensure transparency and accuracy in the verification process to enable a reliable foundation for reform. “The lack of professionals makes supervision cumbersome for the few available officers, often requiring deployment from headquarters for state-level inspections,” Belgore stated.
The CEO of Georgid Consulting, Mr. Isaac Idontenyi, whose firm is handling the audit, said the exercise aims to reposition the Federal Civil Service for improved productivity and sustainability. He explained that the verification will cover personnel data, performance management, leadership development, succession planning, and recruitment practices, with technology-driven tools to ensure accuracy and nationwide coverage.
Strengthening Institutional Capacity
Acting Director of Human Resource Management, Ayodele Ademola, described the PASGA Project as a major milestone in strengthening institutional capacity and aligning staff competencies with the ministry’s renewed mission. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency in public service delivery.
Conclusion
The housing ministry’s workforce audit marks a critical step toward rebuilding institutional strength and operational capacity within Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector. With rising demands for affordable housing and infrastructure oversight, the exercise is expected to shape a more skilled, data-driven, and future-ready civil service.
