The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing Nigeria’s housing shortage by offering land for a proposed 10,000-unit housing development in partnership with private investors.
Housing and Urban Development Minister, Engr. Muttaqha Darma, announced the plan on Tuesday while receiving a Chinese investment team interested in developing affordable homes across the country, according to a statement from the ministry.
The delegation, headed by Chief Engineer Lewis Chima, presented a proposal for a nationwide housing initiative designed to increase the supply of affordable homes.
Darma welcomed the proposal, saying it fits into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes public-private partnerships to expand access to decent housing.
He said the ministry is prepared to support genuine investors by making land available and providing the necessary government backing to ensure successful execution of projects.
“Our mandate is to ensure that more Nigerians have access to affordable and decent housing. We are therefore ready and willing to provide land in Abuja, across the states and in local government areas, subject to due process and the fulfilment of all statutory requirements. This proposal is encouraging because it aligns with the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and our determination to reduce the nation’s housing deficit,” Darma said.
Speaking on behalf of the investors, Chima said Nigeria’s huge housing demand and growing economy made it an ideal destination for the project.
He explained that the company intends to help bridge the country’s estimated 17 million-unit housing deficit by constructing affordable homes in the six geopolitical zones using modern building technology.
“The objective of this project is not merely to construct houses, but to develop sustainable communities through modern industrialised construction technology. We believe this initiative will make a significant contribution towards closing Nigeria’s housing gap while supporting the Federal Government’s vision of affordable housing for all,” he said.
Chima added that the homes would be built using prefabricated construction methods under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing model, allowing the project to be completed within 30 months while reducing costs and improving efficiency.
He also said the initiative would create jobs, encourage technology transfer and strengthen long-term collaboration with the Federal Government.
Following the presentation, the minister directed senior ministry officials to review the proposal before further action is taken.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, also assured the delegation that the ministry remains committed to partnerships that will speed up the delivery of affordable and quality housing across the country.
