Nigeria’s housing sector received renewed attention on Tuesday as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, pledged to overhaul existing approaches within the ministry and accelerate housing delivery across the country.
Speaking at the Renewed Hope Housing PPP Summit in Abuja, the minister made it clear that his administration would prioritise implementation and measurable outcomes rather than prolonged policy discussions.
According to him, the sector can no longer operate under a culture of endless meetings without practical results.
“We cannot continue with another gathering of talks, talks and talks,” Darma stated while addressing stakeholders at the summit.
Darma Targets Immediate Strategic Reforms
The minister disclosed that although he had spent less than two weeks in office, consultations with departments and agencies under the ministry were already underway.
He explained that these engagements would help shape a one-year strategic roadmap expected to be unveiled before the end of May.
Rather than delivering his prepared speech, Darma opted for an unscripted address where he outlined key priorities for the sector and signalled an urgent push for reforms.
He stressed that his administration would focus heavily on transparency, accountability and practical delivery.
Minister to Verify Over 15,000 Housing Units Nationwide
Darma also revealed that briefings received from officials indicated that more than 15,000 housing units currently exist nationwide under various government housing programmes.
However, he stated that he would personally inspect the projects beginning next week to verify their existence and assess their readiness for occupation.
According to him, successful verification could significantly increase access to housing opportunities across the country.
Using an estimated household size of four persons per family, he noted that more than 60,000 Nigerians could potentially benefit within the next three months.
The minister said his administration would rely on facts and measurable outcomes instead of paperwork alone.
FMBN Expands Support for Housing Projects
Earlier at the summit, housing expert and convener, Dr Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, said Nigeria had entered a crucial phase in housing development following reforms aimed at attracting private investment and improving land administration.
He explained that the next stage must focus on implementation and execution.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, disclosed that major housing projects had already commenced in Abuja, Lagos and Kano through Public-Private Partnership arrangements and government interventions.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Engr. Shehu Usman Osidi, revealed that the bank had approved a N100 billion off-taker guarantee to support developers participating in the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
According to him, projects under the programme are ongoing in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Maiduguri.
Osidi also disclosed that FMBN committed N27 billion to the Ibeju-Lekki Renewed Hope City project and another N19.9 billion to the Karsana Renewed Hope City project in Abuja.
Additionally, the bank has approved 420 mortgage applications valued at N14.2 billion for Nigerians seeking homeownership opportunities.
