The Cross River State Government has unveiled plans to deliver 1,500 affordable housing units across the state, while urging housing corporations nationwide to adopt innovative and scalable models capable of addressing Nigeria’s growing housing deficit.

Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Beatrice Igwe, made the call on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu at the opening of a two-day national workshop organised by the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) in Calabar.

The workshop, themed “Affordable Housing Solutions for Low-Income Earners in Emerging Housing Markets,” brought together stakeholders to explore sustainable strategies for expanding access to affordable homes.

Igwe said Nigeria’s housing demand continues to outpace supply, particularly because conventional financing models remain inaccessible to many low-income earners.

She disclosed that the Cross River State Government is implementing an innovative Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model under Governor Otu’s People First agenda to accelerate housing delivery.

According to her, the state will officially break ground on a 500-unit Okuni Housing Estate in the Central Senatorial District on July 4, 2026. Similar projects are planned for the Northern and Southern senatorial districts, bringing the total number of proposed housing units to 1,500 statewide.

The commissioner also revealed that a separate 50-unit free housing project for indigent women has reached about 80 per cent completion.

She urged housing corporations to standardise building designs, embrace innovation and strengthen partnerships with institutions such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Family Homes Funds Limited to improve access to affordable housing finance.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, Arc. Dennis Pau Ishaya said the Federal Government was implementing reforms to reposition the housing sector as a catalyst for economic growth, employment and social inclusion.

He said the Renewed Hope Housing Programme is currently delivering housing projects across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, with a focus on local building materials, improved mortgage access, urban renewal and increased private sector participation.

Earlier, President of the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria, ESV. Eno Obongha, described housing as a critical indicator of economic development and social stability.

He said Nigeria’s widening housing deficit requires innovative construction methods and financing solutions that can deliver affordable homes at the scale needed to meet the country’s rapidly growing population.

Obongha urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions on construction costs and focus on practical solutions that would make homeownership more accessible for low-income Nigerians.

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Housing stakeholders and advocacy groups have called on the incoming Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, to prioritise sustainable housing delivery, infrastructure development, and policy continuity as he assumes office.

The appeal follows recent leadership changes in the ministry and growing concerns about the pace and structure of housing delivery across the country.

The Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy (NAFPA) urged the new minister to ensure continuity by retaining and completing ongoing housing projects while strengthening efforts to expand access to affordable housing.

According to the group, Nigeria’s housing challenges cannot be addressed by new initiatives alone, but by improving and sustaining existing programmes already in progress.

NAFPA’s Founding Director, Nathaniel Atebije, stressed that housing development must go beyond construction numbers and focus on planning, livability, and long-term sustainability.

He warned that without proper urban planning, housing projects risk becoming disjointed settlements lacking essential infrastructure.

“Housing must be guided by physical planning principles. If planning leads, housing succeeds. If it is ignored, the result is failure regardless of the number of units delivered,” he said.

Atebije further urged the minister to strengthen collaboration with the National Urban and Regional Planning Commission to ensure proper implementation of the National Physical Development Plan and regional development frameworks.

He also advised the government to prioritise serviced land with clear titles, improved mortgage systems, and affordable housing models that rely on locally sourced materials to reduce construction costs.

In addition, he called for a review of housing projects located in unsuitable areas such as floodplains or regions lacking basic access roads, as well as developments that may have bypassed statutory planning approvals.

“These issues must be addressed to ensure safety, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of housing developments,” he added.

Similarly, the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) also urged Darma to maintain policy continuity while deepening reforms aimed at expanding affordable housing access across the country.

AHCN President, Eno Obongha, and Executive Secretary, Toye Eniola, emphasized that the housing sector plays a critical role in economic growth, job creation, and social stability.

They noted that sustaining ongoing reforms, particularly in mortgage access, urban renewal, and public-private partnerships, would be essential to reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

The association expressed confidence in the new minister’s ability to build on the achievements of his predecessor, particularly under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.

According to AHCN, previous efforts have helped revive national housing initiatives, strengthen collaboration with private developers, and improve funding structures within the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

Other highlighted reforms include slum upgrading programmes, expansion of the National Housing Fund, improved transparency in housing allocation, and efforts to standardise mass housing construction costs.

The group also encouraged stronger cooperation between government agencies, financial institutions, developers, and professional bodies to accelerate progress in the sector.

Both organisations agreed that continuity in housing policy is essential to maintaining investor confidence and achieving measurable impact in reducing Nigeria’s housing gap.

They concluded by reaffirming their readiness to support the new minister in driving a more coordinated, sustainable, and inclusive housing development agenda.

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Housing corporations across Nigeria have raised fresh concerns over stringent financing conditions imposed by lenders, warning that restrictive requirements are undermining efforts to deliver affordable housing to millions of citizens.

The concerns were expressed during the 113th Council Meeting and strategy session of the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria held in Abuja, where stakeholders described current funding structures as largely inaccessible to government-backed housing institutions.

Delegates noted that conditions such as sovereign and bank guarantees have significantly limited access to construction finance, making it difficult for housing corporations to execute projects, particularly those targeted at low-income earners.

They argued that unless financing frameworks are restructured to reflect local realities, the country’s housing deficit will continue to widen, leaving vulnerable populations without access to decent shelter.

The meeting called on financial institutions and development partners to design more flexible and inclusive funding models capable of supporting large-scale housing delivery across different income segments.

Participants emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among key institutions, including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, to expand mortgage access and improve housing affordability nationwide.

They also highlighted the exclusion of the informal sector from formal housing schemes, noting that irregular income patterns have prevented many Nigerians from qualifying as off-takers in structured housing projects.

To address this gap, stakeholders advocated the adoption of cooperative housing models that would enable low- and middle-income earners to participate more effectively in housing programmes.

The session, themed “Redefining Affordable Housing for Low-Income Earners and the Role of Housing Corporations in Emerging Real Estate Markets,” also drew attention to the growing mismatch between housing supply and affordability.

Delegates observed that many completed housing units remain unoccupied, not due to lack of demand, but because they are priced beyond the reach of those who need them most.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, AHCN President Eno Obogha called on state governments to strengthen support for housing corporations through improved access to land and financing mechanisms.

The association warned that weak institutional structures and policy inconsistencies have eroded the capacity of housing agencies, further worsening Nigeria’s housing challenges.

Concerns were also raised over the practice of merging housing corporations with government ministries, a move stakeholders said undermines their operational independence and contradicts the National Housing Policy.

Delegates stressed that restoring the autonomy of housing corporations is essential to improving efficiency and boosting public confidence in government-led housing initiatives.

They further pointed to macroeconomic pressures, including inflation and foreign exchange volatility, as key drivers of rising construction costs, which continue to hinder affordable housing delivery.

According to stakeholders, heavy reliance on imported building materials has made the sector more vulnerable to economic shocks, calling for increased investment in locally sourced alternatives.

The meeting identified innovative building technologies such as hydraform as viable solutions for reducing construction costs and accelerating housing delivery across the country.

Participants also acknowledged the progress made under the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, which has disbursed over N97.6 billion for housing acquisition, urging housing corporations to leverage the fund for mass housing development.

While commending the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, stakeholders expressed concern over the unclear role of state housing corporations within the programme.

They urged the government to assign defined responsibilities to these agencies, noting that their proximity to local communities positions them to deliver affordable housing more effectively.

The stakeholders concluded that urgent reforms, stronger partnerships, and innovative financing models are critical to closing Nigeria’s housing gap while also driving economic growth and job creation.

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The Mofi Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) has disbursed over N97.6 billion to Nigerians for housing acquisition within its first year of operation, the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has disclosed.

The association made this known during a two-day high-level strategy session held in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed the impact of the fund on housing delivery across the country.

President of AHCN, Eno Obogha, urged state housing corporations to take advantage of the credit facility provided by MREIF to expand access to affordable housing, particularly for low- and middle-income earners.

MREIF, launched by the Federal Government in December 2024 and operational from March 2025, was designed to provide low-cost housing finance at single-digit interest rates.

While commending the fund’s performance, AHCN noted that stringent requirements, including sovereign and bank guarantees, have limited access for many housing corporations.

The association called on financial institutions and development partners to introduce more flexible financing structures that can better support mass housing delivery.

AHCN also stressed the need for stronger collaboration among key institutions, including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Family Homes Funds, and MREIF, to deepen long-term housing finance and expand mortgage accessibility.

The recommendations formed part of resolutions adopted at the association’s 113th Council meeting, themed: “Redefining Affordable Housing for Low Income Earners and the Roles of Housing Corporations in Emerging Real Estate Markets.”

The council expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening housing deficit, particularly among low- and middle-income groups, and called for urgent structural reforms to address the crisis.

Despite ongoing government initiatives, the association noted that many houses built by private developers remain unaffordable, especially in major urban centres such as Abuja and Lagos.

AHCN also decried the marginalisation of state housing corporations in the implementation of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, stressing that these institutions remain critical to delivering affordable housing nationwide.

The body further criticised the practice by some state governments of merging housing corporations with ministries or stripping them of their statutory roles, describing such actions as contrary to the National Housing Policy.

To improve housing delivery, the association urged state governments to provide better access to land and funding, while also strengthening institutional frameworks.

In response to rising construction costs driven by inflation and foreign exchange volatility, AHCN advocated the adoption of alternative building technologies such as Hydraform and other locally sourced materials.

The group also emphasised the need to integrate Nigeria’s informal sector into housing programmes, noting that their exclusion has significantly contributed to the country’s housing gap.

AHCN recommended the expansion of housing cooperatives as a viable pathway to improve access to affordable housing for informal workers.

The association raised concerns over declining public confidence in government housing agencies, attributing it to poor performance and limited impact, and called for reforms to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

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As Nigeria marks World Habitat Day 2025, the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN), led by its President, ESV. Eno Obongha, has called on the Federal Government, state governments, and relevant authorities to take bold and coordinated steps toward addressing the challenges confronting the nation’s housing sector.

Delivering the State of the Nation’s Housing Address themed “Urban Crisis Response” in Abuja, Obongha described the situation as an unfolding urban emergency that has left millions of citizens struggling with unaffordable rents, the rapid expansion of informal settlements, and deteriorating living conditions in major cities.

“The global economic crisis, which has culminated in inflation and a high cost of living, has taken a toll on our urban centres, with many city dwellers facing severe financial challenges. The loss of jobs and rising unemployment among the youth have resulted in unstable incomes and the inability to pay rent,” he said.

Obongha further urged the Federal Government, state governments, and other relevant agencies to take swift, practical action to bridge the country’s housing deficit. He also emphasized the need for proper harmony and synchronization between state governments and the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda to elevate housing delivery nationwide.

“The Renewed Hope Housing Agenda needs to be properly harmonized and synchronized with state governments, using state housing corporations as agents of delivery to take the agenda to the next level. This will no doubt open up the economy and help drive our recovery by creating employment opportunities for our teeming unemployed youth. Our young people deserve a future free of uncertainty. We envision a new Nigeria where housing becomes the engine of economic growth and that dream is achievable if harmonization is well coordinated and executed.”

Addressing the recurring issues of building collapse, demolition, and illegal construction, Obongha underscored the importance of enforcing building regulations and securing proper approvals before any construction work begins to prevent disasters.

“Most of the buildings that collapse were constructed without approval. Some had fraudulent approvals, while others were built on flood plains. The Town and Country Planning Law specifies zoning for buildable and non-buildable areas, but many people, out of frustration, ignore these rules and later face demolition or flooding. Regulations must be strictly enforced,” he cautioned.

The AHCN, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, for the ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which has delivered more than 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the FCT in just two years, a milestone the association noted surpasses the previous administration’s eight-year record of 3,500 units.

Obongha also praised the reforms at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), noting that both institutions have expanded single-digit mortgage schemes, attracted over ₦70 billion in private capital, and introduced new initiatives to enhance homeownership among Nigerians.

Concluding his address, the AHCN President called on the government to support ongoing housing initiatives through the provision of land banks, and to strengthen financial and institutional collaboration between the FMBN and the Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) in order to significantly reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit.

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They were unanimously elected by all the members present during the 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 111th Council Meeting, combined with a two-day workshop in Abuja.

According to a statement released by AHCN Executive Secretary, Toye Eniola, Managing Director of Cross River State Property and Investment Company Limited, Esv. Eno Obongha, emerged unopposed as the President.

Managing Director of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Hon. Ayodeji Adebayo Joseph, secured the position of first Vice President, while Managing Director of Kano State Housing Corporation, Mr. Abdullahi Rabiu, was elected as the second Vice President.
READ ALSO: AHCN President Urges Immediate Action, Collaboration to Tackle Affordable Housing Challenges

Other elected officials include Mr. Daniel Makava, a director from the Nigerian Building and Road Research as the Association’s scribe, the General Manager of the Ondo State Development and Property Corporation, Barrister Michael Amure as Treasurer, Barrister Patrick Udomfang of Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company as Auditor, and Mr. Albert Afolabi of Centrebase Consult as Financial Secretary.

Additionally, the General Manager with the Federal Housing Authority Mr. Humphrey Ukeh was appointed Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Ugwuozor Gabriel Onyemaechi of the Abuja Property Development Company Limited as the Public Affairs Officer, and Arc Babatunde Adeleke of LSDPC as Secretary of the Technical Committee.
Dr. Victor Onukwugha and Mr. Olusesan Obe were elected as ex-officio members.

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According to a press statement released by the association, the 2-day National Workshop on Affordable Housing in Renewed Hope Agenda, scheduled from Wednesday, April 24th to Friday, April 26th, 2024, will be declared open by the Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa.

As part of the workshop’s activities, the association will hold elections to elect new leaders to steer its affairs.

READ ALSO: Benue State Government Partners Chinese Companies for Establishment of Solar Factory, Health Services

The event will feature prominent figures from the housing industry as resource persons, including Mr. Femi Adewole, Chairman of Coop Mortgage Bank, and Mr. Shehu Osidi, Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Other expected are the Country Regional Representative of Shelter Afrique, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogonegbu, the Chairman of Copen group, Surv. Chime Ugochukwu amongst others.

READ ALSO: Shelter Afrique CEO Pledges Support for Affordable Housing in Kenya

With a focus on addressing critical issues in affordable housing finance and delivery, the workshop aims to provide comprehensive solutions to housing challenges faced by vulnerable Nigerians, aligning with AHCN’s renewed mission of eradicating homelessness and fostering sustainable housing development.

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