The Federal Government has renewed its pledge to reduce Nigeria’s widening housing deficit, insisting that decent shelter is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every citizen.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, delivered the assurance at a Housing Summit in Abuja. Represented by the Director of Public Building and Development, Mr. Pemi Temitope, the Minister said housing has become a key driver of national development under President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda.

Dangiwa noted that the government no longer views housing as a financial burden but as a strategic economic tool, particularly for Nigeria’s large workforce. He said one of the biggest obstacles to home affordability remains the escalating price of building materials—a challenge the Ministry is moving to confront head-on.

To address this, the Federal Government plans to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in each of the six geopolitical zones. Dangiwa said the initiative will cut reliance on imported materials, reduce construction costs, and create jobs.

Former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, also urged housing stakeholders to embrace modern technology to expand access to affordable homes. With Nigeria’s population rising rapidly, he stressed that innovative financing and collaborative efforts are crucial to closing the housing gap.

Summit Convener and retired Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yemi Adelakun, expressed concern that most previous housing schemes delivered limited results, with the notable exception of the historic Jakande estates in Lagos. He called on stakeholders to work together to produce what he described as “Tinubu Houses,” affordable units that ordinary Nigerians can access on a continuous, revolving basis.

Adelakun highlighted the wider economic benefits of successful housing projects, pointing out their potential to create jobs and stimulate local economies. He added that keys to newly completed housing units will soon be handed over to members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cooperatives.

He also announced PropPay, a new digital platform designed to pool housing savings and streamline loan access for prospective homeowners.

The summit, themed “Innovative Financing for Affordable Housing Under the Renewed Hope Agenda: Collaboration Imperatives for Housing Delivery,” gathered policymakers, developers, cooperatives, and experts from across the housing sector.

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