The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has said its newly developed National Mortgage Registry will strengthen transparency, improve access to mortgage information, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s real estate market. The digital platform, which has been approved by the National Council on Housing, is designed to serve as a central repository for mortgage transaction records across the country.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on the validation of the National Housing Data Programme Report and the proposed National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy in Abuja, FMBN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shehu Usman Osidi, disclosed that the registry has reached a major milestone and is ready for deployment. He explained that stakeholder engagement, data collection, cleansing, and validation are currently underway before the system becomes fully operational.
According to Osidi, the registry will provide a reliable digital database of mortgage transactions, enabling financial institutions, regulators, and other stakeholders to verify mortgage information more efficiently. He said the initiative is expected to strengthen risk management, improve transparency, reduce fraud, and increase investor confidence in Nigeria’s housing finance sector.
The FMBN boss noted that the success of the mortgage registry will depend on collaboration among federal and state governments, land registries, financial institutions, mortgage banks, developers, professional bodies, and other industry stakeholders. He added that the project complements the National Housing Data Programme by providing credible information to support housing policy, investment decisions, and mortgage financing.
Osidi reiterated that reliable housing and mortgage data are essential to addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit and expanding access to affordable homeownership. He maintained that a transparent mortgage system will improve confidence among investors, lenders, developers, and prospective homeowners while supporting sustainable growth in the real estate sector.
Industry stakeholders described the National Mortgage Registry as a significant step towards modernising Nigeria’s housing finance ecosystem. They believe the platform will improve mortgage documentation, enhance property transaction security, strengthen consumer protection, and promote greater accountability across the real estate industry.
