The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Muttagha Darma, has inspected over 2,084 housing units as part of ongoing efforts to deliver affordable housing to Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The inspected units form part of more than 15,000 housing units currently under development nationwide and scheduled for commissioning and occupation by October 2026.

According to a statement, the project is among the flagship Renewed Hope City developments being executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the federal government and private sector developers, aimed at accelerating housing delivery across the country.

During an inspection visit to the Renewed Hope City project in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Darma commended the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for financing 1,500 housing units within the estate, describing the intervention as a significant contribution to affordable housing delivery.

The minister noted that the FMBN-backed project would provide housing for more than 6,000 Nigerians, reflecting the bank’s commitment to its mandate of expanding access to home ownership.

Expressing satisfaction with the pace of work, Darma said the project had reached an advanced stage of completion and was nearing readiness for occupation.

“I have seen more than 80 per cent completion. In fact, I can say between 85 and 90 per cent because all the houses already have fittings. Some of them are ready for occupation.

“With FMBN financing these 1,500 units, it means they have now housed about 6,000 Nigerians. They are certainly delivering on their mandate,” he said.

The minister added that large-scale housing developments such as the Ibeju-Lekki project contribute significantly to economic growth by creating jobs and stimulating activities across the construction value chain.

Speaking during the inspection, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to providing affordable housing solutions for Nigerians.

Osidi urged developers to accelerate project delivery timelines to ensure beneficiaries gain timely access to completed homes. He also advocated a phased completion strategy that would allow finished units to be allocated and occupied without waiting for the entire project to be completed.

The FMBN boss further commended Legrande Properties for maintaining quality standards and ensuring steady progress on the development.

According to him, the housing scheme is being delivered through a cross-subsidy model designed to make home ownership more affordable for low- and middle-income earners.

“The housing units are being delivered through a cross-subsidy model designed to enhance affordability for low- and middle-income Nigerians across the different categories of beneficiaries to access decent housing under the project,” Osidi stated.

Darma had earlier conducted similar inspection visits to Renewed Hope City projects in Karsana, Abuja, and Lambu along Gwarzo Road in Kano State as part of efforts to monitor progress and ensure timely delivery.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government plans to establish six Renewed Hope Cities, one in each geopolitical zone, to expand access to affordable housing and reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit.

In addition, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is implementing the Renewed Hope Estates Programme, with housing estates currently under construction in 12 locations across the country, covering two states in each geopolitical zone. The minister has already inspected projects in Katsina and Yobe states.

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With millions of Nigerians struggling to afford decent housing while many properties remain vacant, the government aims to make hoarding real estate an expensive decision.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa explained that while property owners cannot be forced to lease or sell, financial disincentives can discourage speculation. For instance, if a property valued at N5 million annually remains vacant, a N3 million ground rent could make it too costly to leave the building unoccupied. This approach is expected to push owners to either rent or sell their properties.

To execute this policy, the government has launched a nationwide survey to identify empty . Legal experts are currently reviewing strategies to ensure the policy does not infringe on property rights while compelling owners to contribute to the housing market.

In addition to tackling vacant homes, the government is also cracking down on substandard construction within the Renewed Hope City housing initiative. Minister Dangiwa revealed that some contractors have been using inferior materials and cutting corners, hoping to conceal defects with finishing touches.

In response, the government has vowed to take strict action, including immediate contract termination for any contractor found guilty of poor-quality work.

To strengthen oversight, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has deployed teams of experts—including architects, quantity surveyors, and structural engineers—across all 36 states.

These professionals are ensuring that construction projects meet national safety and quality standards, preventing shoddy workmanship that could endanger lives.

The government’s bold stance signals a major shift in housing regulations. As these policies take effect, many Nigerians remain hopeful that they will lead to a more affordable and quality-driven housing market. However, concerns persist about how property owners and developers will respond to the new rules.

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As the Federal Government readies the launch of its much-anticipated Renewed Hope City project in Abuja, Nigerians are raising concerns about the transparency and accessibility of the initiative, which aims to reduce the country’s housing deficit.

Scheduled for December 2024, the launch will unveil 1,000 housing units in the Karsana District, available for purchase. The project, part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s broader strategy to address Nigeria’s housing shortage, has sparked debate about affordability, fair distribution, and accountability.

Housing and Urban Development Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, announced during the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) Awards in Lagos that the 1,000 homes would be accessible through an online portal: Renewed Hope Homes Portal.

Dangiwa further revealed that the full 3,112 units planned for Renewed Hope City would be delivered in phases, with the first 1,000 homes marking a key milestone in the government’s target of 50,000 housing units in the first phase of the Renewed Hope program.

Despite these assurances, public skepticism persists. Concerns over affordability have dominated conversations, as prices for units in the Renewed Hope City project reportedly range from ₦8 million for a one-bedroom apartment to over ₦22 million for duplexes, according to project details.

Residents like Atabo Emmanuel from Bwari, Abuja, have questioned whether the initiative will truly benefit ordinary Nigerians. “Affordable housing should be accessible to everyone. But at these prices, how can the average worker afford it?” he asked.

Maryam, another Abuja resident, expressed doubts about the project’s transparency, adding, “Even if homes are made available, we need clarity on how they’ll be distributed to avoid favoritism.”

In the Nnyanya area, Emeka Okoye warned of potential corruption, calling for safeguards to prevent manipulation. Similarly, Alex Moses, a factory worker in Lagos, suggested a lottery or auction system to ensure fairness in the allocation process.

Dr. Jackson Omenazu, Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, stressed the importance of restoring public trust in government housing initiatives. He cited abandoned federal housing projects as evidence of unfulfilled promises, noting that “affordable housing must become a priority for the government.”

Omenazu underscored the urgency, particularly given Nigeria’s growing displaced population. “We talk about renewed hope, but where is the hope when millions still struggle for basic housing?”

As the Federal Government prepares to launch the Renewed Hope City project, Nigerians are urging transparency, fairness, and accountability in its implementation. While the initiative holds promise, its success will ultimately depend on the government’s ability to address the affordability and distribution concerns raised by citizens.

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The project was officially inaugurated by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, on Thursday, according to a statement from the Ministry’s website.

Gwarzo revealed that the initiative will offer a wide range of amenities to enhance the beneficiaries’ quality of life. These include access roads, electricity, water supply, and other essential infrastructure that improve living standards.

He emphasized that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate program aims to provide 50,000 housing units in Phase 1, leveraging the housing sector to create jobs, boost economic development, and support the administration’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.

Gwarzo also noted that constructing the 500 housing units will create job opportunities for masons, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, traders, and suppliers of building materials in Kano while continuing to generate economic benefits for the state and its citizens.

What you should know

The Renewed Hope City project in Kano will include 100 one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 300 two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 100 three-bedroom bungalows.

This is the second Renewed Hope City project following President Bola Tinubu’s launch of a 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, as part of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates initiative to reduce the housing gap.

READ ALSO: Dangiwa Begins Nationwide Groundbreaking for ‘Renewed Hope’ Cities, Estates

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, initiated the construction of a 250-unit Renewed Hope Estate in Katsina.

Similar 250-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate projects will begin in Yobe on May 24 and Gombe on May 25.

In the coming months, the Federal Government will launch 250-unit housing projects in Abia, Nasarawa, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Sokoto, Oyo, and Osun States.

Ownership options for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project include single-digit, up to 30-year mortgage loans from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, rent-to-own schemes, and outright purchases for high-income earners.

Additionally, the Federal Government has launched the Renewed Hope Housing Online Portal to streamline the marketing and sale of these homes.

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