The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, has assured Nigerians that no critical records or customer data were lost in the recent fire incident at the headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Abuja. He said the bank’s digital backup systems ensured that operations and customer information remained fully protected despite the damage caused by the fire.
The minister gave the assurance after inspecting the affected sections of the bank’s headquarters alongside officials of the ministry and FMBN management. He expressed gratitude that no lives were lost during the incident and noted that the fire was largely confined to part of the second floor of the building. Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, although investigations by the relevant authorities are still ongoing.
Following the inspection, Darma said he was satisfied with the explanations provided by the bank’s management regarding its disaster recovery measures. According to him, FMBN’s cloud-based digital infrastructure successfully preserved all customer records and operational data, ensuring that mortgage services and other banking operations continue without disruption.
The minister also warned that anyone found negligent after the conclusion of the investigation would be held accountable. He stressed the importance of maintaining high safety standards within public institutions while ensuring that government agencies strengthen preventive measures against similar incidents in the future.
Reassuring contributors to the National Housing Fund and other customers, Darma urged Nigerians to continue using FMBN’s services, noting that the institution remains fully operational. He added that the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening the bank’s mortgage delivery system as part of broader reforms aimed at improving access to affordable housing across the country.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding homeownership through the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, stating that reforms underway at FMBN are expected to improve mortgage accessibility and increase the number of mortgages processed annually. He disclosed that the government has directed the bank to enhance its internal processes with the goal of significantly increasing mortgage approvals each year.
Industry stakeholders say the incident highlights the growing importance of digital transformation and cloud-based data management within Nigeria’s housing finance sector. They note that robust digital infrastructure not only protects sensitive customer information but also ensures business continuity during emergencies, strengthening public confidence in housing finance institutions.
