The MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) has provided more than N140 billion in mortgage financing to over 2,000 Nigerians since it began operations in March 2025.

The Federal Government-backed housing finance initiative has expanded its reach across the country. Mortgage beneficiaries now span 27 states, according to Olubiyi Adekunbi, Head of Real Estate Investment at ARM Investment Managers.

Adekunbi disclosed the figures during a FirstBank webinar titled “Beyond Rent: The Path to Home Ownership Leveraging FirstBank-MREIF Home Loan Scheme to Build Long-Term Wealth.”

MREIF Mortgage Disbursements Begin in 2025

MREIF began mortgage disbursements in April 2025. By August 2026, more than 2,000 people had received financing through the scheme.

Adekunbi said the fund has maintained a relatively fast application process. He added that applicants do not need personal connections to move their applications through the system.

The quickest mortgage transaction under the programme took less than three weeks, he said. However, applicants must submit the required documents and complete all due diligence checks before approval.

Adekunbi said eligible applicants could potentially complete the process and secure a home within a month.

Mortgages Available Across 27 States

Lagos and Abuja account for the largest share of applications under the scheme. However, MREIF has extended mortgage financing to properties in 27 states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Properties in Ogun, Oyo, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna can qualify for financing. Applicants must provide valid land titles and clear ownership records for the properties.

The scheme also serves Nigerians living abroad, provided they meet the required eligibility and documentation conditions.

Adekunbi said the average age of applicants stands at 43. Mortgage repayment periods generally take retirement age into account.

Most loans are structured around a retirement age of 60. Some professionals, including lecturers and judges, may qualify for different arrangements because of their higher retirement ages.

Nigeria Needs More Housing Finance

The MREIF expansion comes as Nigeria continues to face a major shortage of housing.

Sani Yakubu, MREIF National Coordinator at the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), said Nigeria needs to build at least 700,000 housing units each year to address the housing gap.

He said the country currently produces about 100,000 units annually. The difference between required and actual housing production highlights the scale of the supply challenge.

Yakubu linked part of the problem to limited access to affordable mortgage finance. Developers also face difficulties raising capital and obtaining proper land documentation.

He said MREIF aims to support existing financial institutions rather than replace them. The fund, he explained, is intended to help strengthen the mortgage market and increase access to long-term housing finance.

Government Provides N150bn for First Tranche

The first N250 billion tranche of the MREIF programme received N150 billion from the Federal Government.

Private-sector investors contributed the remaining N100 billion. The tranche forms part of the wider N1 trillion MREIF programme registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nigerian professionals developed the fund structure. Vetiva Capital Management serves as financial adviser, while STL Trustees acts as trustee and First Nominees serves as nominee.

The funding model is designed to attract additional capital into Nigeria’s real estate and mortgage sectors. Greater availability of long-term finance could help more households move from renting to home ownership.

MREIF Mortgage Terms

MREIF offers mortgages of up to N100 million at an interest rate of 9.75%. Eligible borrowers can repay the loans over periods of up to 20 years.

Applicants must provide at least 10% equity toward the property purchase. Contributors to the Contributory Pension Scheme can also use up to 25% of their Retirement Savings Account balance to meet the equity requirement.

MREIF caps its mortgage exposure at N100 million per property. Buyers seeking properties above that value must fund the balance through other sources.

These may include personal savings, approved pension withdrawals or other available funding.

MREIF Reports N14.49bn Profit

The mortgage expansion follows MREIF’s reported financial performance for the first half of 2026.

The fund recorded N14.49 billion in profit before tax for the six months ended June 30, 2026. It generated total income of N17.48 billion during the period.

Interest income from financial assets measured at amortised cost contributed N8.10 billion. Cash and cash equivalents generated a further N6.21 billion.

After a withholding tax charge of N250.5 million, profit after tax stood at N14.24 billion.

FirstBank Partnership Expands Mortgage Access

The latest figures also follow FirstBank’s partnership with MREIF to expand access to mortgage financing.

Under the partnership, eligible Nigerians can seek mortgage loans of up to N100 million. The initiative is part of broader efforts to increase access to home financing and support home ownership.

MREIF’s growing disbursement figures show the potential role of long-term mortgage finance in Nigeria’s housing market. However, expanding access will also require adequate housing supply, clear land titles and financing that households can sustain over the life of their loans.

For Nigeria’s housing sector, the continued rollout of MREIF could help connect homebuyers with longer-term finance while giving developers greater access to capital. The fund’s ability to expand beyond major markets will also be important as the country seeks to increase home ownership and narrow its housing supply gap.

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Rotary International District 9111, in partnership with FirstBank, has empowered 140 aspiring artisans and small business owners across Lagos and Ogun states with business equipment valued at more than N45 million. The initiative is designed to support entrepreneurship, promote self-reliance, and improve economic opportunities for beneficiaries.

The empowerment programme provided starter kits, including sewing machines, grinding machines, hairdressing kits, and other vocational tools to individuals who have acquired skills but lack the financial resources to establish their businesses. Organisers said the intervention aims to bridge this gap and enable beneficiaries to build sustainable livelihoods.

District Governor-elect and Project Coordinator, Bukola Bakare, said the initiative reflects the long-standing collaboration between Rotary International and FirstBank in driving community development and economic empowerment. She encouraged beneficiaries to utilise the equipment responsibly and avoid selling the items, stressing that the tools represent opportunities to transform their lives and positively impact society.

Bakare disclosed that Rotary would monitor beneficiaries for one year through regular communication and periodic visits to ensure that the equipment is used for its intended purpose. She added that the beneficiaries were nominated by Rotary’s clubs across Lagos and Ogun states and underwent screening to confirm their need for support.

District Governor of Rotary International District 9111, Prince Henry Akinyele, described the equipment as seeds for future prosperity rather than mere gifts. He urged beneficiaries to invest in their trades and eventually extend similar support to others within their communities.

Representing FirstBank, Acting Head of Retail Business, SME Banking Department, Musiliu Olokodana, said the partnership with Rotary has lasted for more than five years and has empowered over 400 artisans through similar interventions. He noted that the programme aligns with the bank’s commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises and promoting financial inclusion.

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FirstHoldCo Plc has successfully completed a ₦45 billion private placement, marking another step in its ongoing capital raising programme aimed at strengthening the financial position of FirstBank, its flagship subsidiary.

The transaction was executed at ₦44.06 per share and forms part of the group’s broader strategy to meet regulatory capital requirements and support long-term business expansion.

According to the company, the proceeds from the placement will be channelled into FirstBank to reinforce its capital base, improve lending capacity, and enhance overall financial stability.

The capital raise is also aligned with FirstHoldCo’s ongoing recapitalisation plan, which includes multiple funding stages designed to ensure the group maintains strong compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria requirements while positioning for future growth.

Industry observers note that the transaction reflects continued investor confidence in FirstHoldCo’s restructuring efforts and its long-term strategy to build a stronger balance sheet across its banking operations.

The completion of the ₦45 billion placement follows earlier capital initiatives undertaken by the group as part of a multi-phase fundraising programme aimed at achieving a more resilient financial structure.

Analysts also suggest that the additional capital injection could improve FirstBank’s capacity to expand credit to key sectors of the economy, including retail, corporate, and small business lending.

With the latest placement concluded, FirstHoldCo is expected to continue executing its broader capital plan as it works toward strengthening its position within Nigeria’s competitive banking sector.

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