The Federal Government has reached out to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for strategic implementation support as it prepares to put into action its recently approved National Urban Development Policy (NUDP).
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, made the appeal during a meeting in Abuja with UN-Habitat’s Regional Office representative, Mathias Spaliviero. Dangiwa praised the agency’s presentation on Nigeria’s urbanisation challenges, calling it “insightful and timely,” especially as the country advances its urban renewal efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Minister, the revised NUDP, which received Federal Executive Council approval last week, was shaped with input from UN-Habitat. He described the policy as a strategic roadmap aligned with global priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, aimed at guiding Nigeria’s rapid urban expansion sustainably.
Dangiwa stressed that while the policy framework has been finalized, the next step—execution—requires sustained collaboration. He called on UN-Habitat to shift from a supportive advisory role to an active partner in implementation by providing institutional capacity and recommending urban planning experts who can work closely with the Ministry at national and sub-national levels.
In his presentation, Spaliviero highlighted the importance of sound financial systems, clear regulatory frameworks, and well-designed planning strategies for Nigeria to effectively manage urban growth and upgrade informal settlements.
Both parties agreed on the importance of continued cooperation to turn the policy into practical results that improve urban living conditions and support national development goals.
