According to the report first published by The Nation, the third-quarter capacity-building effort involves specialised training for over 500 officers drawn from budget, land, and public affairs departments across the state’s civil service.

The Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, while commenting on the exercise, emphasised that the Lagos State Public Service must stay dynamic and responsive to evolving administrative challenges. “This is not just another training calendar; it is a strategic tool for equipping our personnel with the necessary mindset and technical capacity for modern governance,” he said.

Ayantayo acknowledged the strong support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in championing continuous professional development, describing it as a cornerstone of the administration’s public service reform agenda.

One of the key programmes, “Strategic Corporate Communication and Media Relations,” targeted 100 Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) on Grade Levels 13 to 17. The two-day workshop focused on sharpening communication strategies, managing public perception, and enhancing citizen engagement—a move seen as crucial in an era of fast-paced information flow and rising public expectations.

In parallel, 200 Budget and Planning Officers underwent training in “Budgeting and Fiscal Management.” The sessions, led by experts from both the public and private sectors, were designed to deepen participants’ understanding of fiscal discipline, data-driven budget planning, and performance-based execution.

To further reinforce transparency in land management, another 200 officers took part in training on “Land Documentation and Titling.” The programme aimed at improving efficiency in processing Certificates of Occupancy and enhancing the credibility of land administration in the state.

Olubusola Abidakun, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Establishments and Training, described the initiative as part of a long-term vision to modernise the Lagos State Public Service. “This third-quarter training reflects a forward-looking and proactive strategy to create a performance-driven workforce that anticipates change rather than reacts to it,” she noted.

All training modules ran for a minimum of two days and were facilitated by seasoned professionals drawn from academia, government, and industry, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful learning experience.

With this strategic investment in human capital, Lagos continues to position itself as a leader in public sector innovation, aligning service delivery with global best practices.

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The Ebonyi State Government has approved a budget exceeding N5 billion for the construction of 126 housing units for state workers.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Okpor, announced the development during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abakaliki, following the state executive council meeting.

“The council approved N40 million as the unit cost for each of the 126 housing units. The total cost of the project is estimated at N5,000,000,040,” Okpor stated, adding that the project would be executed through direct labour.

This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to improve the welfare of its workforce by providing affordable housing solutions.

Revenue Generation Boost

In a related development, the council approved the engagement of three revenue firms to enhance the state’s revenue generation.

“Pursuant to the need to increase the revenue base of the state, the council reviewed proposals and approved the engagement of three revenue and financial consulting firms,” Okpor added.

The decision aligns with the state’s strategy to diversify income sources and strengthen financial sustainability.

The commissioner emphasized the government’s commitment to improving both infrastructure and economic growth through strategic initiatives.

The post Ebonyi State to Construct 126 Housing Units for Workers with Over N5 Billion Budget appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, spoke to journalists after the council’s last meeting in 2024 about its decisions.

Bagudu said the 2025 budget represents a 36.8 percent increase from the N27.9 trillion 2024 estimate.

The minister said the 2025 framework is based on key economic projections, including an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel, daily oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd), and an exchange rate of N1,400/$.

“Today, the federal executive council approved the budget proposals for 2025 with amendments which Mr president directed following a presentation to the federal executive council led by the director general of the budget office, Tanimu Yakubu,” the minister said.

“The 2025 framework is based on the oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel. Oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. Exchange rate of one 1400 naira (to the dollar).

“All these are already included in the medium-term expenditure framework which we have presented here, which have also been approved by the national assembly.

“So the total projected revenue for 2025 stands at N34.82 trillion out of which the expenditure is projected at N47.96 trillion which is an increase of 36.8% from the 2024 estimate.”

Bagudu said the deficit for 2025 is projected at N13.13 trillion representing 3.89 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

On December 12, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that Tinubu would present the 2025 budget on Tuesday.

The post FEC approves N47.9trn 2025 budget appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

President Bola Tinubu will present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced.

Akpabio disclosed this during Thursday’s plenary session in the Senate, confirming that the budget presentation will take place in the House of Representatives Chamber before a joint session of the National Assembly.

He stated, “The president has made his intention known to the National Assembly to present the 2025 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on the 17th of December, 2024.”

This announcement follows Tinubu’s earlier submission of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2025–2027 to both chambers of the legislature last Tuesday.

The MTEF/FSP outlines key economic parameters, including a projected oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel, a daily oil production target of 2.06 million barrels, an exchange rate of N1,400 to $1, and a targeted GDP growth rate of 6.4%. These figures provide the framework for the proposed N47.9 trillion 2025 budget.

In response, Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Finance, National Planning, and Economic Affairs to review the MTEF/FSP documents and submit a report within one week.

The 2025 budget presentation is expected to address critical economic challenges while focusing on sustainable growth and fiscal stability.

The post Tinubu to Present 2025 Budget on December 17 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning, told journalists on Thursday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

The approval is part of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025-2027, in accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

The framework, which is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly as required by law, either on Friday or Monday, projects a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6%, an exchange rate of $75 to the Naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day.

Details later….

SOURCE: vanguardngr

The post Breaking: FG proposes N47.9trn as 2025 Budget appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The tremors, which began last weekend and continued intermittently through the night, have unsettled locals, disrupting daily activities and causing anxiety.

The tremors, though milder than earthquakes, have sparked worry due to their persistence in densely populated regions. Comparisons have been drawn to similar incidents reported in Abuja in 2018, when a tremor with a magnitude of 3.2 was recorded near Mpape, attributed to natural geological processes. At that time, authorities reassured the public that there was no imminent threat of an earthquake.

READ ALSO: Housing Project: Constrix Cubes, Abuja’s Latest Real Estate Marvel

However, the current situation has been marked by the absence of official communication from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment. This silence has fueled frustration among residents, many of whom have taken to social media to express their concerns and demand explanations.

READ ALSO: Wike Blames Market Forces for Rising Housing Costs in Abuja

As the tremors continue, residents are anxiously awaiting a formal response and guidance from authorities regarding the potential causes and future outlook of the situation.

The post Concerns Rise as Earth Tremors Shake Abuja Communities appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The post Reasons Behind Lagos’ Revocation of Building Permits on New Projects appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, had accused the Senate leadership of fraudulently inserting projects into the 2024 budget. He disclosed that experts he engaged found several projects without specified locations.

A review of the budget document and the differences between the proposed and passed budgets supports Ningi’s claim. Consultants identified 36 projects worth N53 billion with no specific locations assigned to them.

The 2024 budget, initially presented at N27.5 trillion by President Bola Tinubu, was swiftly passed by lawmakers with a N1.2 trillion increase, totaling N28.7 trillion. Critics argue that this rushed process led to oversight lapses.

READ ALSO: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, NIOB Collaborate to Curb Building Collapses in Nigeria

Ningi’s suspension followed his refusal to retract his claims during a Senate session. His allegations have brought attention to longstanding issues such as budget padding and the execution of constituency projects.

While lawmakers are entitled to allocate funds for constituency projects, implementation has often been marred by corruption. The insertion of non-essential projects into the budget has led to tensions between the legislature and the executive in the past.

READ ALSO: FMBN Partners with NG Kutahya Seramik to Make Building Materials Affordable

President Tinubu, while presenting the budget, urged lawmakers to include projects of “equitable spread” and within sectorial mandates. However, the executive did not raise objections to the increased budget for the National Assembly.

The lack of specific locations for projects and the broader issue of budget discrepancies highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s budgeting process.

The post Nigerian Lawmakers Accused of Padding 2024 Budget with N53 Billion in Vague Projects appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a call for transformative changes to the budgeting process, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr. Samson Emiowele, has urged a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the institute.

Speaking at the NIQS Leadership Retreat in Abuja, Emiowele expressed concern about the current practice of assigning arbitrary figures to infrastructure projects, emphasizing the need for well-researched and articulated information by the institute to enhance the budgeting process.

Emiowele proposed strategic partnerships with specialized agencies, legislature, parastatals, media, advertising agencies, and related professional bodies.

READ ALSO: CORBON Urges FHA to Prioritize Licensed Builders for Housing Projects

He highlighted potential collaborations, including providing information on construction materials to the Bureau of Statistics, partnering with national newspapers for market surveys, sponsoring research in universities and polytechnics, and engaging in beautification projects with local councils or other agencies.

Furthermore, another past NIQS president, Mr. Agele Alufohai, emphasized the importance of aligning with global best practices. He advocated for the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, increased focus on sustainable construction practices, and the incorporation of automation and digital tools in quantity surveying processes.

Alufohai also underscored the significance of resilience planning, regulatory compliance, and ethics in the construction sector.

READ ALSO: JUST-IN: ECOWAS Reacts To Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger’s Withdrawal From Body

In a forward-looking approach, Husaini Dikko, a fellow of the institute, urged NIQS to identify and develop competences relevant to modern technologies. Dikko recommended establishing a unit to monitor the impact of disruptive technologies on quantity surveying and fostering mentorship arrangements to facilitate knowledge transfer.

The NIQS president, Kene Nzekwe, acknowledged the significance of the retreat, providing a platform for past presidents to share their experiences and insights. The collective wisdom shared during the retreat is expected to guide the institute as it envisions the path forward in its mission.

The post Former NIQS President Advocates Strategic Collaboration for Improved Budget Formulation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a surprising turn, President Bola Tinubu recently signed N28.7 billion budget for 2024 has raised eyebrows, particularly concerning the allocation for the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD). The budget, with N99,982,577,351 billion earmarked for FMHUD, has sparked criticism from housing industry experts who deem it inadequate and inconsistent with Tinubu’s ambitious campaign pledges.

Despite representing a 35 percent share of the total budget for capital expenditure, the housing ministry’s allocation lags behind other crucial sectors, such as the National Assembly, Education, Health, and even the Ministry of Police Affairs.

FMHUD, established by the Tinubu administration through the unbundling of the former Ministry of Works and Housing, received a mixed reception. Experts expected a more substantial budget for a ministry considered vital for addressing the housing deficit.

READ ALSO: Federal Housing Authority Denies Plans for Demolishing 1,500 Houses in Zhidu Community, FCT

Paul Onwuanibe, Group CEO of Landmark Africa Group, emphasized the importance of a favorable first impression from the government to encourage investors and stakeholders in the housing sector.

Critics point out a mismatch between the budget figures and Tinubu’s promises during his presidential campaign. The breakdown reveals allocations for specific initiatives, including the construction of 20,000 units under the Renewed Hope Agenda housing scheme, the establishment of local building material manufacturing clusters, and slum area upgrades across 18 states.

Johnson Chukwuma, a construction consultant, expressed concern over the disparity between budget figures and campaign promises, emphasizing the need for the government to provide necessary infrastructure and create an enabling environment for private sector involvement in housing.

READ ALSO: FG excludes 26 professional bodies from 2024 budgetary allocations

Tinubu’s vision to tackle the housing deficit by merging federal home ownership agencies into a new entity, promising low-interest mortgages, and revitalizing the mortgage sector, has yet to materialize. Industry insiders anticipated the creation of a significant housing agency and budgetary provisions for its implementation.

As stakeholders voice skepticism over funding challenges, Obinna Chilekezi, principal consultant at Intes Training & Edu Services Nigeria, emphasizes the need for a well-thought-out policy to make land available for developers and suggests high-rise buildings for effective land utilization. The housing plan, though lauded, faces doubts regarding its execution amidst financial constraints.

Source: Businessday

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