A fire has destroyed shops and goods at the Jabi Building Materials Market in Abuja, leaving traders facing losses estimated at millions of naira.

The blaze reportedly started at about 03:00 local time on Sunday at the market, which is located opposite Chida Hotel in the Jabi district of the Federal Capital Territory.

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Television Authority that traders and residents rushed to the market after receiving an emergency call about the fire.

He said his brother-in-law owned two shops and a storage facility at the affected plaza. One shop was saved, while the second shop and the storage facility were destroyed.

According to the witness, roofing materials valued at more than ₦20 million were lost. Some of the goods had reportedly been restocked shortly before the fire broke out.

No deaths were reported, although the full extent of the damage to other businesses at the market had not been determined at the time of publication.

The cause of the fire also remains unknown, and emergency authorities have yet to release an official assessment of the incident.

The latest outbreak is expected to renew concerns about fire-prevention measures, emergency access and insurance protection in Nigeria’s major commercial markets.

Investigations are expected to establish how the fire started and determine the total value of the property destroyed.

The post BREAKING: Fire destroys shops at Jabi building materials market in Abuja appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Two people have died after a refuse dump collapsed on a building in Ikot Effanga, along Old Odukpani Road in Calabar, Cross River State.

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026. The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the deaths in a statement issued on Friday.

Two Occupants Die

Police officers responded to the scene after receiving a report of the collapse. They found that a large refuse dump had fallen onto a building reportedly located within a valley.

The police identified one of the victims as Nfon Imé, a male. The second victim was a woman whose identity remains unknown.

Both victims were inside the building when the refuse collapsed. Rescue efforts later recovered their bodies from the scene.

Police took the bodies to a mortuary, according to the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah.

Police Begin Investigation

The police command has started investigating the incident. Officers are also assessing the site to understand what caused the refuse dump to collapse.

The command has not yet established the full circumstances that led to the deaths. It said investigators would provide more information after they verify the facts.

READ ALSO : Two Rescued After One-Storey Building Collapses in Kubwa, Abuja

Police also appealed to residents to remain calm. The command warned against speculation while the investigation continues.

Housing Safety Concerns

The incident raises concerns about the safety of buildings located near large waste dumps and other high-risk areas.

The location of a building plays an important role in housing safety. Developers and property owners need to consider the condition of the land before construction begins.

Valleys and other low-lying areas can present special challenges. Developers may need to assess the land, drainage and surrounding environment before putting up buildings.

Poor waste disposal can also create problems in urban areas. Large waste piles can block drainage channels and place extra pressure on nearby land and structures.

Importance of Proper Urban Planning

The Calabar incident also shows why proper urban planning matters to housing development.

Safe housing depends on more than the construction of a strong building. Authorities and developers must also consider land use, drainage, waste disposal and the wider environment.

Building approval and enforcement can help prevent development in unsuitable locations. Regular monitoring can also help authorities identify risks before they threaten residents.

However, the police have not blamed any individual, developer or agency for the incident. The investigation is still underway, and the cause of the collapse has yet to be fully established.

Investigation Continues

The Cross River State Police Command said it would release further details as investigators confirm more information about the incident.

The deaths at Ikot Effanga highlight the need for greater attention to housing safety, waste management and land-use planning. As the investigation continues, its findings may help explain what caused the refuse dump to collapse and whether any preventable risks contributed to the tragedy.

The post Two Killed as Refuse Dump Collapses on Building in Calabar appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Abia State Government has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to support a new access road project in Umuahia.

The road will connect Okpara Square and Akanu Ibiam Street, known as Goodshed, with Bende Road. The project aims to improve road access and ease traffic in parts of the state capital.

The government and the NRC signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, August 26, at the Governor’s Office.

Otti Targets Better Connectivity

Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the project forms part of efforts to improve Umuahia’s urban infrastructure.

According to Otti, the new road will improve movement across the city. It will also help address traffic problems around the area.

The governor added that the project will support plans to give Umuahia a facelift.

The proposed road also forms part of a wider transport plan for the state capital. The government plans to integrate the railway station and bus terminal into a transportation hub.

Government Sets Up Implementation Team

To speed up the project, Otti directed key officials to work together on its delivery.

He instructed the Commissioners for Transport and Works to coordinate with the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority.

Other relevant government officials will also take part in the implementation process.

The governor wants the agencies to ensure that the project progresses without unnecessary delays.

Road to Support Transport Hub

The planned access road will create a link between important routes in Umuahia. As a result, it could provide another option for motorists travelling through the area.

The project also connects with the state government’s plan to bring road and rail transport closer together.

A combined transport hub could make transfers between different transport services easier. It could also improve access to the railway station and bus terminal.

For the city, better transport links can support movement between residential, commercial and public areas.

Infrastructure and Urban Development

Road projects can influence how cities grow and how people move between different parts of an urban area.

In Umuahia, the proposed link is expected to improve access around Okpara Square, Goodshed and Bende Road.

The agreement with the NRC also provides a framework for the state to work around the railway corridor while developing the road.

However, the immediate priority remains implementation. Government officials will now need to coordinate the road project and the planned transport hub.

The Abia Government says the initiative forms part of its broader effort to improve infrastructure and mobility in Umuahia.

If delivered as planned, the project could provide a new road connection while supporting the state’s longer-term plans for an integrated transport system.

The post Abia, NRC Sign MoU for Access Road Across Umuahia Railway Corridor appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The United States may revoke the tourist and business visas of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for asylum after entering the country.

The Trump administration is considering the move as part of its wider immigration crackdown. The Associated Press reported the plan after reviewing State Department documents and speaking with two U.S. officials.

If the administration proceeds, the action could become the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history. The State Department could start notifying affected visa holders in the coming weeks.

Who could lose their visas?

The proposed policy focuses on people who hold B1 or B2 visas and later applied for asylum in the United States.

B1 visas generally cover business travel. B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and medical treatment.

The proposed review would cover B1 and B2 visas issued from 2016 through 2026. U.S. authorities are working to identify visa holders who entered the country as temporary visitors and later filed asylum applications.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed the coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. He did not give a final figure for the number of visas that officials could revoke.

Pigott said officials would handle the reviews on a rolling basis. As a result, the final number could change.

Visa cancellation may not mean immediate deportation

Losing a B1 or B2 visa would not automatically lead to immediate deportation.

U.S. officials told the Associated Press that some people could continue their pending asylum cases under another immigration status. They would, however, lose their classification as business or tourist visitors.

The proposal has also drawn criticism from asylum advocates and could face legal challenges if the administration implements it.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has criticised people who enter the United States on temporary visas and later seek asylum. He has argued that people should not use asylum claims to avoid normal immigration rules.

Part of wider immigration enforcement

The visa proposal follows a broader increase in U.S. immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.

The State Department says it has revoked about 175,000 visas over the past 18 months. Those cases involved people convicted or accused of offences such as drunken driving, rape and robbery.

Officials have also cancelled some visas after holders publicly criticised U.S. policies.

The administration has separately pursued restrictions on birth tourism. It has also sought to end birthright citizenship. Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have blocked those efforts.

Possible impact on Nigerians

The policy could attract attention in Nigeria because many Nigerians travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits and investment.

Visa changes can also affect people involved in cross-border business. This includes real estate investors, property developers and professionals who work between Nigeria and the United States.

For Nigeria’s housing sector, international mobility can support diaspora investment and business partnerships. Changes to U.S. immigration rules could therefore matter to Nigerians planning property purchases, investments or other commercial activities in the United States.

The issue also highlights the importance of understanding the conditions attached to temporary visas. Visitors who enter the United States must comply with the terms of their immigration status.

US continues to tighten immigration rules

The State Department documents show that the latest review began after immigration authorities shared information about asylum applications filed by current B1 and B2 visa holders.

The administration has also increased efforts to remove migrants to countries other than their countries of origin. A February 2026 report cited by Nairametrics said Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee estimated that the U.S. government had spent more than $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to third countries.

Those transfers involved countries such as Rwanda, Palau, Eswatini, El Salvador and Equatorial Guinea. The report said Rwanda received seven deportees at a cost of about $1.1 million per person.

The proposed visa revocations remain under review. The U.S. government has not confirmed that it will cancel exactly 200,000 visas.

For international travellers, the development signals a stricter approach to visa enforcement. Nigerians and other foreign nationals who plan to travel, invest or conduct business in the United States will need to pay close attention to changes in U.S. immigration rules.

The post US Plans to Revoke Up to 200,000 Visas From Asylum Seekers appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

By Festus Adebayo

Across Africa, political campaigns are often dominated by promises about roads, power, education, security, agriculture, jobs and healthcare. These are all important. But one issue that is still not receiving the political attention it deserves is housing.

Housing should no longer be treated as a minor campaign promise or a responsibility to be left entirely to a minister, ministry or housing agency. It must become a presidential priority and a major component of the manifesto of every serious political candidate seeking to govern an African country.

The reason is simple: housing touches almost every part of national life.

A country cannot claim to be serious about poverty reduction when millions of its citizens live in overcrowded, unsafe or unaffordable accommodation. It cannot talk about job creation without recognising the enormous employment opportunities in housing and construction. It cannot discuss urban development without addressing where people will live. It cannot talk about healthcare while families live in unhealthy environments. And it cannot promise economic growth while ignoring one of the largest potential drivers of investment, manufacturing and household wealth.

Housing is not merely a social issue. It is an economic, political, security and development issue.

Housing Is Too Important to Be Left to a Ministry Alone

One of the major reasons housing has struggled in many African countries is that it is often treated as the responsibility of a single ministry.

That approach is inadequate.

Housing delivery requires the cooperation of finance ministries, central banks, land agencies, infrastructure authorities, local governments, planning institutions, mortgage institutions, private developers and manufacturers of building materials.

Only the president or head of government has the authority to bring all these institutions together around a common national housing agenda.

This is why housing must be driven from the highest level of government.

The president must set the direction, establish measurable targets, demand accountability and ensure that housing is connected to national economic planning.

Where housing is treated merely as the programme of a minister, it can easily become isolated, underfunded or abandoned whenever political leadership changes.

Political Candidates Must Tell Citizens Their Housing Plans

During elections, political candidates should no longer be allowed to make vague statements such as, “We will provide affordable housing.”

Citizens deserve much more.

Every serious presidential candidate should explain clearly how his or her government intends to address land, mortgages, rental housing, urban planning, slum upgrading, infrastructure, building materials and housing for low-income families.

A political manifesto should answer practical questions.

How much land will be made available for housing?

How will land titles be made faster and cheaper?

What will be done to reduce mortgage interest rates?

How will first-time homeowners be supported?

What is the plan for people who cannot qualify for mortgages?

How will rental housing be improved?

What incentives will be provided to developers producing affordable homes?

How will local production of building materials be supported?

How will informal settlements be upgraded?

These are the kinds of questions political candidates should be required to address before asking citizens for their votes.

Housing Should Become an Election Issue

In many advanced economies, housing is a major electoral issue because voters understand how directly it affects their lives.

Rent levels, mortgage rates, housing supply, planning regulations and homelessness frequently become subjects of national political debate.

Africa must move in the same direction.

Housing stakeholders, professional bodies, civil society organisations, the media and citizens must begin asking political candidates difficult questions about housing.

Presidential debates should include dedicated discussions on housing and urban development.

Political parties should establish detailed housing policies rather than treating housing as a paragraph hidden somewhere inside a lengthy manifesto.

Candidates who want to govern rapidly growing African cities must show that they understand where future populations will live.

Housing Is One of the Fastest Routes to Job Creation

Any political candidate promising mass employment should have a serious housing policy.

The housing sector creates jobs across an enormous value chain.

Every major housing development requires architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, estate surveyors, town planners, builders, artisans, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, transporters and labourers.

It also creates demand for cement, steel, roofing materials, doors, windows, furniture, tiles, sanitary products, electrical fittings and countless other locally manufactured goods.

A government that stimulates large-scale housing development can therefore create jobs far beyond the construction site.

This makes housing one of the strongest tools available to governments seeking to reduce unemployment.

Housing Can Drive Industrial Development

Africa continues to import many products that could be manufactured locally.

A large and sustained national housing programme can create the demand necessary to expand domestic manufacturing.

If millions of houses are required over the coming decades, then Africa will also require enormous quantities of cement, steel, glass, doors, windows, roofing sheets, paint, tiles, furniture and electrical products.

Political leaders should therefore connect housing policy with industrial policy.

Housing should become a platform for supporting local manufacturers, encouraging technological innovation and creating stronger domestic supply chains.

A Presidential Housing Agenda Must Go Beyond Building Houses

Another mistake political candidates must avoid is reducing housing policy to promises of constructing a particular number of houses.

Building houses is important, but the real objective should be to create a functioning housing market.

Government should focus on creating the conditions that enable individuals, cooperatives, developers and investors to produce housing at scale.

That includes serviced land, infrastructure, affordable finance, predictable approvals, efficient land registries, transparent regulations and incentives for affordable development.

The success of a housing policy should not be measured simply by how many government-built houses are commissioned.

It should be measured by whether ordinary citizens find it easier to rent, buy, build or finance a decent home.

Housing Must Be Integrated With Transportation and Urban Planning

Africa’s housing future cannot be separated from the future of its cities.

Many households are forced to live far from employment centres because housing closer to cities is unaffordable. They then spend significant portions of their income and time commuting.

This reduces productivity and worsens household poverty.

Presidential housing policies must therefore integrate housing with transportation, infrastructure and urban planning.

New residential areas should not be created without roads, water, drainage, schools, healthcare facilities, employment opportunities and public transportation.

A house located in the wrong place without supporting infrastructure is not truly affordable.

Housing Policy Must Protect Low-Income Citizens

The private sector has an important role in housing delivery, but markets alone will not adequately serve every household.

Governments have a responsibility to support citizens at the lower end of the income ladder.

Political manifestos should therefore contain clear proposals for social housing, rental support, rent-to-own schemes, incremental housing, cooperative housing and targeted subsidies where necessary.

Housing policy must recognise that not every citizen can immediately purchase a home.

The goal should be to ensure that every family has access to decent and secure accommodation, whether through ownership or rental.

Housing Institutions Must Be Reformed

Presidential candidates should also commit themselves to reforming housing institutions.

Many housing agencies across Africa suffer from weak governance, political interference, bureaucracy, poor accountability and, in some cases, corruption.

A serious national housing agenda requires strong institutions led by competent professionals.

Public housing agencies should operate transparently. Land allocation, procurement, beneficiary selection and expenditure must be open to scrutiny.

A housing policy cannot succeed when institutions created to implement it are inefficient or compromised.

Housing Targets Must Be Measurable

Political promises must also become measurable.

Instead of simply promising “affordable housing,” candidates should state what they intend to achieve within their term.

Targets could include the number of serviced plots to be provided, the reduction in land title processing time, the expansion of mortgage access, the number of informal settlements to be upgraded or the volume of private housing investment to be stimulated.

Annual progress reports should then be published.

Citizens must be able to compare campaign promises with actual performance.

Africa Needs a New Political Conversation About Housing

The future of African cities will largely depend on decisions being made today.

Africa’s population is young and growing rapidly. Millions of new households will be formed over the coming decades.

Those families will require somewhere to live.

If governments fail to plan properly, housing shortages will worsen, rents will increase, informal settlements will expand and infrastructure will come under even greater pressure.

But if housing becomes a presidential priority, the challenge can become an enormous economic opportunity.

Africa can build new cities, regenerate old neighbourhoods, create millions of jobs, strengthen manufacturing, expand homeownership and improve the quality of life of its people.

That transformation will require political leadership.

The Time Has Come to Ask Every Candidate: What Is Your Housing Plan?

As elections approach across African countries, voters should begin asking every presidential candidate a simple question:

What exactly is your housing plan?

Not a slogan.

Not a promise to build a few estates.

Not another government project designed primarily for political publicity.

Citizens should demand a comprehensive strategy covering land, housing finance, infrastructure, rental housing, urban planning, building materials, informal settlements and institutional reform.

Housing must become part of the political conversation because housing affects everyone.

The candidate who wants to lead a country must explain how the citizens of that country will live.

For too long, housing has remained on the margins of political manifestos.

It is time to move it to the centre.

Every credible political party should have a comprehensive housing agenda. Every presidential candidate should be questioned on housing. And every incoming government should recognise that providing an enabling environment for decent, affordable and sustainable housing is not merely a sectoral responsibility.

It is one of the fundamental responsibilities of leadership.

The post ELECTION 2027-Why Housing Must be a Core Part of Every Political Manifesto appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Residents of Ikangba, Agoro, Imodi and Imosan communities in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have renewed their protest over alleged land grabbing.

The residents marched through their communities on Friday. It was their second protest in less than a month.

They carried placards and called for urgent action from the Ogun State Government and security agencies. Some of the placards urged Governor Dapo Abiodun and President Bola Tinubu to protect their ancestral lands.

The residents accused alleged land grabbers of bringing bulldozers into the communities. They said the machines destroyed buildings, farmlands and other properties.

They also accused the alleged land grabbers of intimidating residents who challenged their activities.

The communities further claimed that some of the individuals operated with security escorts. They called on the authorities to investigate the allegation.

Communities Reject Link to Traditional Ruler

The dispute has also sparked controversy over the role of the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Okuribido.

The communities rejected reports linking the traditional ruler to the alleged land-grabbing activities. They described the reports as false.

According to the residents, Oba Okuribido comes from one of the affected communities. They said he had supported their efforts to resist the alleged land grabbers.

The communities also questioned the identities of people who claimed to represent Ikangba in a recent online publication. They said the individuals were not recognised as established indigenes or long-term residents.

Residents Seek Investigation

The residents said the dispute had continued despite an earlier intervention by the Ogun State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN.

They want the government to carry out an impartial investigation. They also want officials to establish the ownership history and legal status of the disputed land.

The communities called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force to investigate all parties.

They want authorities to examine land documents, court judgments, boundaries and other evidence connected to the dispute.

Professor Ayodeji Gafar spoke at a press briefing after Friday’s protest. He said the communities considered the report linking Oba Okuribido to the dispute unfair.

Gafar said the communities wanted transparency over the ownership claims. He also said the dispute should not lead to confrontation.

Bulldozers Allegedly Return Despite Police Directive

Gafar said the communities returned to the streets because alleged land-grabbing activities continued.

He said Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni had directed both sides to maintain the status quo. The directive was to remain in place while authorities worked to resolve the dispute.

However, Gafar said residents later reported the return of bulldozers to disputed areas.

He alleged that the machines continued to clear farmlands and destroy structures.

The communities also raised concerns about unidentified people and unmarked security vehicles in the area.

They further alleged that some individuals carried guns, cutlasses and other weapons. Gafar called for an investigation to establish whether the allegations were true.

Leaders Appeal for Government Intervention

The Baale of Ikangba, Chief Joseph Adebanjo, also condemned the alleged activities.

Chief Adeniyi Oduneye, the Alase Yemule of Ikangba, joined the call for government action.

Alhaji Surajudeen Raji represented the Baale of Agoro. Chief Olusesi Isiaka represented the Baale of Imodi.

The community leaders appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, President Bola Tinubu, the police and DSS to investigate the dispute.

They warned that continued tension could threaten peace in the affected communities.

Land Disputes Raise Housing Concerns

The dispute also highlights the importance of secure land ownership in Nigeria’s property market.

Clear land records help residents, developers and investors establish ownership before they build or invest. Disputes over ownership can delay housing projects and create risks for property owners.

Unclear boundaries can also affect construction and infrastructure development. For this reason, land administration remains an important part of Nigeria’s housing and real estate sector.

The affected communities are now asking the government to establish the legitimate ownership claims and protect peace in Ikangba, Agoro, Imodi and Imosan.

The post Ogun Communities Protest Alleged Land Grabbers’ Invasion of Ancestral Land appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A fire broke out at SPAR Calabar Mall in Cross River State on Saturday morning, August 22, 2026. The incident reportedly followed an explosion at the shopping complex.

Thick smoke rose from the mall as emergency efforts began. The fire also caused panic among people around the area.

Explosion Reportedly Triggered Fire

Early reports linked the fire to what some people described as a minor gas or fuel explosion. However, authorities have not confirmed the cause of the incident.

Videos and photographs from the scene showed flames affecting part of the mall. People also gathered outside the complex as emergency teams worked to control the fire.

The exact point where the fire started remains unclear. Authorities are expected to examine the site as part of efforts to establish what caused the reported explosion.

Extent of Damage Remains Unknown

The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. It was also not known how many shops, facilities or goods the fire may have affected.

There were no confirmed reports of deaths or injuries as of the time of filing this report. Officials have yet to provide a full account of the incident.

The situation also raised concerns among businesses operating within the shopping complex. A major fire can disrupt commercial activity and cause losses for retailers, property owners and other businesses.

Fire Safety and Commercial Buildings

The incident highlights the importance of fire safety in large commercial properties. Shopping malls often receive large numbers of visitors each day. They therefore require reliable fire detection and emergency systems.

Building owners and facility managers must keep fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency exits and other safety systems in good working order. Regular inspections can also help identify risks before they become serious incidents.

Fire safety also matters during the design and construction of commercial buildings. Developers must consider safe evacuation routes and other measures that can protect people during emergencies.

Implications for Real Estate and Infrastructure

The fire also brings attention to the wider issue of safety in Nigeria’s commercial real estate sector. Modern retail centres form an important part of urban infrastructure. Their safety can affect businesses, workers, shoppers and surrounding communities.

Property managers also play an important role after construction. They must maintain safety equipment and ensure that staff understand emergency procedures.

For developers and investors, building safety remains an important part of responsible property management. Strong safety systems can help protect lives, property and business operations.

Investigation Expected

Authorities are expected to investigate the reported explosion and fire at SPAR Calabar Mall. The investigation should help establish the cause of the incident and determine the extent of the damage.

Further details are expected as emergency agencies and relevant authorities assess the affected facility.

The incident serves as a reminder that fire prevention and emergency preparedness remain important parts of managing commercial buildings. Strong safety measures can help reduce risks and protect people and property when emergencies occur.

The post Massive fire breaks out at Calabar SPAR mall appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of about 30 buildings blocking the Right of Way of Abuja’s Ring Road 3.

Wike gave the order on Thursday during an inspection of road projects linking Karsana District, Gwarinpa and the Kubwa axis.

The affected buildings sit within the corridor reserved for Ring Road 3 and its planned interchange. The area forms part of the infrastructure network covered by the Abuja Master Plan.

Wike Orders Immediate Action

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, drew Wike’s attention to the structures during the inspection.

Dauda told the minister that the buildings occupy land reserved for the Ring Road 3 project. Wike then called officials of the Department of Development Control to the site.

The minister ordered the officials to remove the structures without delay. He also questioned how developers had managed to build within a major road and interchange corridor.

Wike said the government could not allow private buildings to obstruct important public infrastructure.

Ring Road 3 Project Links Major Areas

The Ring Road 3 project forms part of Abuja’s wider road network. The route will connect Karsana District with the Kubwa Road corridor, also known as the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX).

According to Dauda, the road will also extend towards Airport Road. A planned flyover will connect with the Ring Road 3 alignment as part of the project.

Dauda said construction of the second bridge on the corridor has also moved forward. He noted that workers had started the foundation despite the rocky terrain at the site.

The project team expects bridge construction to continue while work progresses on the wider road corridor.

Development Control Concerns

The discovery of buildings along the road corridor has raised fresh concerns about development control in the Federal Capital Territory.

Abuja relies on planned land use to protect space for roads, public facilities and other infrastructure. When private developments enter these areas, they can create problems for transport projects and urban planning.

The situation also carries risks for property buyers and developers. Investors who purchase or develop land without checking approved land use may face disputes, demolition or financial losses.

For this reason, property developers need to confirm land titles, planning approvals and Right of Way restrictions before starting construction.

Protecting the Abuja Master Plan

The FCT Administration has continued to stress the importance of enforcing the Abuja Master Plan. The plan provides a framework for land use and infrastructure development across the capital.

Wike’s directive shows that the administration intends to prevent buildings from blocking planned road projects. It also places renewed attention on the role of development control officials in monitoring construction.

The immediate removal of the affected buildings will clear the Ring Road 3 corridor for ongoing construction and interchange works.

The development highlights a wider issue facing fast-growing cities: the need to balance private property development with long-term infrastructure planning. Stronger land checks and effective development control can help reduce conflicts between property owners and major public projects.

The post Wike Orders Demolition of 30 Buildings Blocking Abuja Ring Road 3 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal Government has warned that poor workmanship, substandard building materials and the activities of unqualified practitioners could undermine efforts to expand access to safe and affordable housing across Nigeria.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, gave the warning in Abuja while chairing the 56th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), themed “Repositioning the Building Profession, Advocacy and Policy Influence in Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment.”

Akume said Nigeria’s housing challenge required more than increasing the number of buildings constructed. He stressed that housing delivery must also focus on safety, affordability, durability and compliance with professional standards.

According to him, housing has implications beyond physical structures, as it affects household security, dignity, family stability, quality of life and the ability of Nigerians to build wealth.

The SGF identified several factors contributing to building failures in the country, including non-compliance with approved specifications, inadequate quality control, improper construction techniques, foundation problems and weak supervision on building sites.

He also warned certified builders against allowing their professional names or seals to be attached to projects they had not supervised. Such practices, he said, could weaken professional accountability and expose occupants to serious risks.

Akume called for greater public education on the consequences of poor construction, noting that defective buildings can result in substantial financial losses as well as loss of lives.

The government official also pointed to affordability as a major barrier to home ownership. Rising construction costs, he said, have made decent housing increasingly difficult for many Nigerian households to afford.

To address the cost challenge, Akume said the Federal Government was supporting the production of building materials across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative is aimed at increasing domestic production and helping to reduce construction costs.

He urged building professionals to contribute their technical knowledge, research capacity and industry networks to government housing policies and programmes from the design and planning stages through implementation.

Akume also encouraged professionals to work through consortia, introduce auditable quality-management systems, improve the training and certification of artisans, and deepen collaboration with government and reputable private developers.

Representing the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, the Director of Public Buildings, Musa Abdullahi, said recurring building collapses remained a serious concern for the construction industry.

Darma stressed the responsibility of builders in ensuring that construction activities comply with established engineering standards. He highlighted quality control, proper testing of materials and effective site supervision as important safeguards against construction failures.

He urged participants at the conference to develop practical recommendations capable of improving housing delivery and addressing persistent weaknesses within the sector.

Earlier, NIOB President Daniel Kolade said the institute was using advocacy and policy engagement to strengthen the building profession, improve construction standards and increase public awareness of the importance of hiring qualified professionals.

Kolade also identified quackery as a major challenge in the construction sector and advised Nigerians to engage properly qualified professionals when undertaking building projects.

The concerns raised at the conference come as Nigeria continues to grapple with the twin challenges of housing affordability and construction quality. For the housing sector, improving access to homes will therefore depend not only on increasing supply but also on stronger professional oversight, better materials, effective regulation and construction practices that protect the long-term value and safety of buildings.

The post FG Warns Shoddy Work, Quackery Could Derail Nigeria’s Housing Drive appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate is expected to continue easing in the coming months, although rising food prices remain a major source of pressure, according to analysts at Comercio Partners.

The outlook followed the latest inflation figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, which showed that headline inflation declined to 15.43 per cent year-on-year in July 2026, compared with 15.91 per cent in June.

The July figure represented the second straight monthly decline in headline inflation and the largest monthly moderation recorded so far this year. Analysts said the trend suggests that underlying price pressures across parts of the economy are beginning to weaken.

A key factor behind the improvement was the sharp decline in core inflation, which excludes some volatile items. Core inflation fell to 14.97 per cent in July, from 15.92 per cent in June, while the month-on-month rate dropped substantially to 0.15 per cent, compared with 1.66 per cent in the previous month.

Comercio Partners said the movement indicated weaker underlying inflationary pressure, supported in part by reduced exchange-rate volatility. The development could provide some relief for businesses and households facing higher costs, particularly in sectors that depend heavily on imported inputs.

Food prices, however, moved in the opposite direction. Food inflation increased to 20.31 per cent year-on-year in July, up from 17.52 per cent in June. On a monthly basis, food inflation also accelerated to 5.56 per cent, compared with 3.75 per cent in June.

The analysts linked the increase to constraints affecting agricultural supply, higher logistics and distribution expenses, seasonal influences and wider structural challenges within the food supply chain. They said these pressures are not issues that monetary policy can address on its own.

The divergence between food and core inflation is particularly relevant to household spending. Food represents a substantial portion of expenditure for many Nigerian households, making increases in food prices an important factor in the cost of living even when the overall inflation rate is declining.

Despite the increase in food inflation, several major expenditure categories recorded lower contributions to headline inflation during July. The contribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages declined from 6.37 percentage points in June to 6.18 percentage points in July.

Restaurants and accommodation also recorded a lower contribution, falling from 2.06 percentage points to 1.99 percentage points. Transport declined from 1.70 percentage points to 1.64 percentage points, while housing, utilities and fuels fell from 1.34 percentage points to 1.30 percentage points.

According to Comercio Partners, the combined decline in contributions from these four expenditure divisions represented about 75 per cent of the 0.48 percentage-point reduction in headline inflation recorded between June and July.

The figures also have implications for Nigeria’s housing and construction sectors. Housing-related costs are influenced by inflation through the prices of building materials, transportation, energy and other inputs, while higher living costs can affect households’ ability to save for home purchases, meet rent obligations and service mortgages.

For developers and construction companies, a sustained moderation in underlying inflation could improve cost forecasting and financial planning. However, continued food-price increases could keep pressure on household budgets and limit the amount of income available for housing and other long-term spending.

The July data therefore presents a mixed picture for the wider economy. While easing core inflation and reduced exchange-rate volatility point to moderating price pressures, persistent food inflation remains a significant challenge for households and businesses.

For the housing and infrastructure sectors, the direction of inflation will remain important because changes in prices affect construction costs, household purchasing power, project financing and the broader affordability of housing.

The post Nigeria Inflation Slows as Food Prices Keep Pressure on Households appeared first on Housing TV Africa.