The Federal Government and state governments are set to review some of the structural challenges affecting housing delivery in Nigeria, with mortgage financing, land administration and institutional systems expected to take centre stage at the 15th Meeting of the National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development.
The five-day meeting is scheduled to hold in Sokoto from October 12 to 16, 2026, bringing together federal and state housing authorities, regulators, housing corporations, built-environment professionals and other stakeholders.
The meeting is themed “Strengthening Mortgage, Land and Institutional Systems for Accelerated and Inclusive Housing Delivery.”
The council is expected to examine some of the persistent barriers limiting access to housing across the country and consider measures that can improve the systems supporting housing development.
The discussions are expected to cover access to land, housing finance, mortgage systems, land administration and urban development, with participants expected to share experiences and consider areas where stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and states is required.
Mortgage and land systems in focus
The meeting comes amid continued concerns over the affordability and accessibility of housing in Nigeria.
Stakeholders in the housing sector have increasingly highlighted the importance of improving access to land and long-term housing finance, particularly for households that are unable to meet the upfront costs associated with homeownership.
The council is therefore expected to examine how mortgage systems can be strengthened while addressing land administration challenges that affect the development and transfer of residential properties.
The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has previously identified effective land management and innovative financing among the areas requiring coordinated action between the Federal Government, states and other stakeholders.
At the 14th meeting of the council held in Ilorin in January 2026, stakeholders considered issues including effective land management and administration, urban renewal, local building materials, public-private partnerships and innovative financing and investment strategies for housing expansion.
States, housing agencies to participate
The Sokoto meeting is expected to bring together state commissioners and permanent secretaries responsible for lands, housing and urban development.
General managers and chief executive officers of state housing corporations, state surveyor-generals and representatives of regulatory agencies are also expected to participate.
The National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development serves as a platform for the Federal Government and states to coordinate policy discussions around land administration, housing delivery and urban development.
The council also provides an avenue for stakeholders to review previous decisions, exchange experiences and consider policies that can be implemented at both federal and state levels.
At its 14th meeting in Ilorin, the council reviewed 98 memoranda submitted by stakeholders, with 62 considered suitable for deliberation. It also reviewed progress on decisions reached at the 13th council meeting held in Gombe in 2024.
Reforming systems beyond housing construction
The focus of the 15th meeting reflects a growing emphasis on the systems behind housing delivery rather than simply increasing the number of houses constructed.
Land availability, property registration, mortgage financing and institutional coordination can influence how quickly housing projects are developed and how easily prospective homeowners can access them.
Previous council deliberations have similarly highlighted land as a key requirement for housing development and homeownership, while identifying mortgage financing as an important component of housing affordability and accessibility.
The council is expected to use the Sokoto meeting to examine practical strategies for improving these systems and strengthening coordination between federal and state authorities.
Towards more coordinated housing delivery
The five-day meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for federal and state housing authorities to assess existing policies, identify implementation gaps and agree on areas requiring stronger cooperation.
Stakeholders will also be expected to consider measures that can improve access to affordable and inclusive housing while strengthening the institutional framework supporting land and housing development.
The outcome of the deliberations could provide further direction for federal and state housing policies, particularly in the areas of mortgage finance, land administration and urban development.
