Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has officially performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 430 affordable housing units for workers in Lafia.
The housing project is being executed under the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Workers’ Housing Scheme and is located beside Precious FM Akurba along Shendam Road in Lafia.
The ceremony attracted civil servants, traditional rulers, and senior government officials from across the state.
Affordable Housing for Nasarawa Workers
Speaking at the event, Governor Sule described the project as part of his administration’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing for civil servants.
According to him, the partnership with FMBN will enable workers contributing to the National Housing Fund (NHF) to finally achieve homeownership.
“The dream of this project came alive because of the reforms at FMBN and the decision to select Nasarawa State as a beneficiary,” the governor stated.
He noted that although the idea was conceived in 2021, it gained momentum under the current leadership of the mortgage bank.
Housing Scheme Designed Around ₦70,000 Minimum Wage
Governor Sule recalled that his administration previously sold housing units along Doma Road to workers at subsidized rates, structured around the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
He assured stakeholders that the new 430-unit housing scheme would follow a similar affordability model to ensure accessibility for civil servants.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts to reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit and expand access to mortgage-backed homeownership.
FMBN Commits to Expanding Workers’ Housing Nationwide
In his remarks, Shehu Usman Osidi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, described the groundbreaking as another milestone in the bank’s mission to deliver affordable homes to Nigerian workers.
“On behalf of the board, management, and staff of FMBN, it is my pleasure and honour to welcome His Excellency and all stakeholders present here today for this historic groundbreaking ceremony,” Osidi said.
He emphasized that the Workers’ Housing Scheme is part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening mortgage financing and expanding housing access across Nigeria.
Addressing Housing Needs in Nasarawa State
The 430-unit Lafia housing project is expected to:
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Improve homeownership opportunities for civil servants
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Reduce housing pressure in urban centres
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Strengthen public-private housing partnerships
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Support long-term mortgage financing sustainability
Analysts say such initiatives are critical as Nigeria continues to grapple with a significant housing shortfall, especially among low- and middle-income earners.
What This Means for Nasarawa Civil Servants
With construction now underway, eligible workers contributing to the National Housing Fund are expected to access the homes through structured mortgage repayment plans facilitated by FMBN.
The project represents one of the largest recent state-level collaborations under the federal workers’ housing framework.
