Stakeholders in Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector have endorsed the Federal Government’s renewed partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), describing the collaboration as a significant step towards addressing rapid urbanisation, expanding access to affordable housing, and promoting sustainable city development.

The experts noted that Nigeria’s urban population continues to grow as more people migrate to cities in search of employment and better living conditions. They warned that without strategic planning and sustained investment in infrastructure, housing, and public services, cities will face increasing pressure from traffic congestion, inadequate housing, informal settlements, and overstretched social amenities.

A property developer, Chief Anthony Izuagbe, urged governments to adopt proactive planning by expanding infrastructure ahead of population growth rather than reacting after existing facilities become overwhelmed. He stressed that anticipating future demand is essential for building resilient and liveable cities.

Similarly, retired infrastructure professional Mrs. Chinonye Onyekoji highlighted the need for long-term urban planning, particularly in Lagos and other rapidly growing cities. She said strategic investments in transportation, housing, and public infrastructure are necessary to accommodate population growth and improve residents’ quality of life.

The endorsement follows a meeting between the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, and the UN-Habitat Regional Director for Africa, Oumar Sylla, during which both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on sustainable urban planning, affordable housing delivery, climate resilience, slum upgrading, institutional capacity building, and the implementation of Nigeria’s National Urban Development Policy.

The minister described urban renewal as a key driver of economic growth, improved security, and better living standards. He expressed confidence that continued collaboration with UN-Habitat would provide Nigeria with technical expertise, global best practices, and stronger development partnerships needed to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Urban development experts believe that strengthening the partnership between the Federal Government and UN-Habitat will accelerate housing delivery, improve urban governance, enhance land-use planning, and support climate-resilient infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding urban population.

The post Experts Endorse FG, UN-Habitat Partnership to Drive Sustainable Urban Development appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal Government and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on affordable housing delivery, sustainable urban planning and urban renewal initiatives across Nigeria.

The renewed partnership was announced when the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, hosted a delegation from UN-Habitat led by its Regional Director for Africa, Oumar Sylla, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Darma commended UN-Habitat for its continued technical support to the ministry and several state governments, particularly its contributions to the review of Nigeria’s National Urban Development Policy.

He described urban renewal as a critical component of the Federal Government’s development strategy, noting that improved city planning, slum upgrading and sustainable urban development would boost economic growth, improve living standards and strengthen security.

The minister called for expanded cooperation in affordable housing delivery, climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable urban planning, capacity building and the implementation of the National Urban Development Policy.

According to him, closer collaboration with UN-Habitat would support the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and accelerate efforts to address Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Darma also urged the organisation to continue providing technical expertise, global best practices and strategic partnerships capable of transforming the country’s housing and urban development sector.

Addressing Nigeria’s outstanding financial obligations under its Memorandum of Understanding with UN-Habitat, the minister assured the delegation that the government was engaging relevant authorities to facilitate the release of the funds despite prevailing fiscal constraints.

“The organisation remains an important partner in our efforts to deliver sustainable housing and improve urban development outcomes. We are confident this partnership will continue to produce lasting benefits for Nigerians through better housing, sustainable cities and inclusive urban development,” he said.

Earlier, UN-Habitat Regional Director for Africa, Oumar Sylla, congratulated Darma on his appointment and described Nigeria as a key partner in advancing sustainable urbanisation across Africa.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s housing and urban development priorities through programmes focused on affordable housing, improved land administration, urban transformation, access to basic services and durable solutions for internally displaced persons, particularly in the North-East.

Sylla disclosed that UN-Habitat has strengthened partnerships with several state governments, including Niger, Yobe, Adamawa and Katsina, with encouraging results in urban development and housing initiatives.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to sustain its support for the agency and expedite the settlement of outstanding financial obligations to ensure the uninterrupted operations of UN-Habitat’s Country Office in Nigeria.

The UN-Habitat official further urged Nigeria to participate in the forthcoming High-Level Political Forum in New York, describing it as an opportunity to showcase the country’s urban development achievements, strengthen international partnerships and attract additional support for sustainable housing and city development programmes.

The post FG, UN-Habitat Deepen Partnership on Affordable Housing, Urban Renewal appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Delegates from 176 countries attending the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, have called for urgent and coordinated global action to address the worsening housing crisis affecting billions of people worldwide.

The call was contained in the “Baku Call to Action,” a comprehensive document issued at the end of the forum, outlining shared priorities and practical steps for governments, development partners and private sector actors to strengthen housing systems globally.

57,000 Participants Shape Global Housing Roadmap

The forum brought together more than 57,000 participants, including over 3,000 online attendees, alongside governments, local authorities, civil society groups, researchers, businesses and grassroots organisations.

The wide participation made WUF13 one of the most inclusive global gatherings on urban development, reflecting diverse perspectives on housing, infrastructure and sustainable cities.

Housing Crisis Linked to Infrastructure and Climate Risks

The Baku Call to Action noted that approximately 2.8 billion people globally live in inadequate housing, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

It stressed that housing must not be viewed only as shelter provision, but as part of a wider system connected to land, infrastructure, transport, public services and economic opportunity.

The document also highlighted how housing inequality is worsened by rising costs, land speculation, displacement, weak governance and climate-related risks such as floods and extreme heat.

Call for Climate-Resilient Housing Systems

A key emphasis of the declaration is the need to integrate climate resilience into housing development.

It called for investment in nature-based solutions, retrofitting of existing housing stock, community-led housing initiatives and improved disaster preparedness systems.

According to the document, vulnerable communities often face the dual burden of housing insecurity and exposure to climate shocks.

Stronger Governance and Financing Urged

The Baku Call to Action also called for improved multilevel governance, expanded housing finance systems and better access to reliable housing data.

It emphasised the importance of empowering local governments and communities to play a stronger role in delivering housing solutions.

UN Highlights Africa’s Housing Deficit

Speaking at a special session on the Africa Affordable Housing Compact, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described housing as central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

She stressed that secure and adequate housing creates the foundation for progress across health, education, gender equality and climate action.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach further warned that Africa’s housing deficit already exceeds 60 million units and could surpass 130 million by 2030 if current trends continue.

She also noted a financing gap of over $1.4 trillion, while highlighting Africa’s rapidly growing urban population as both a challenge and an investment opportunity.

Africa’s Housing Finance Gap and New Compact

Rossbach said Africa receives less than 3 percent of global housing finance despite accounting for nearly one-fifth of the world’s urban population.

To address this imbalance, the African Affordable Housing Compact was introduced, focusing on policy reform, financing pipelines and data systems.

The initiative is built around four key pillars: housing fellowships, deal platforms, data hubs and country-level housing compacts.

A Global Push for Implementation

The WUF13 declaration and associated discussions reinforce a global shift from policy discussions to implementation-focused housing solutions.

Stakeholders agreed that addressing the housing crisis requires coordinated action across governments, investors, and development institutions, with strong emphasis on sustainability, climate resilience and inclusive urban growth.

The post WUF13 Delegates Call for Urgent Action on Global Housing Crisis appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Experts under the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) have called for urgent adoption of integrated development frameworks, including Public-Private-People-Policy-Partnerships (5P), to address Nigeria’s worsening housing crisis.

The call was made by FIABCI Nigeria Chapter President, Akin Opatola, at the FIABCI Spring Symposium held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where global real estate leaders and policymakers gathered to discuss housing challenges.

Housing Must Be Seen as Economic Infrastructure

Opatola urged policymakers to stop treating housing as a welfare issue, stressing that it is a core driver of economic participation, social stability, health outcomes, and human dignity.

He noted that Nigeria’s housing deficit currently stands at about 28 million units and could more than double by 2050 if urgent reforms are not implemented.

He added that over 60 per cent of urban residents already live in substandard or informal housing, reflecting a systemic crisis rather than a simple supply shortage.

Structural Failures Driving the Crisis

Opatola identified three major structural challenges: land administration, housing finance, and construction costs.

He criticised the Land Use Act of 1978, noting that over 90 per cent of land in Nigeria lacks formal title, making it unusable as collateral.

“No collateral means no mortgage. No mortgage means housing becomes a cash transaction available only to high-income earners,” he said.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s weak mortgage system, where penetration remains below 1 per cent of GDP and interest rates range between 25 and 30 per cent, making homeownership inaccessible for most citizens.

On construction, he pointed to import dependency, foreign exchange volatility, and infrastructure deficits as major cost drivers.

Government Efforts and Funding Gap

Opatola acknowledged ongoing government initiatives, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, targeting 50,000 housing units nationwide, with over 10,000 units currently under construction across 14 locations.

He also referenced the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, designed to expand mortgage access at reduced interest rates of about 9.75 per cent.

However, he warned that the 2025 housing budget of N11.5 billion for 20,000 units highlights a severe financing gap that limits large-scale impact.

Reform Agenda Proposed

To address the crisis, FIABCI called for:

• Digitisation of land administration systems
• Faster land title registration
• Introduction of strata title legislation for apartment ownership
• Tax incentives for mass housing developers
• Infrastructure support for housing estates
• Structured Public-Private partnerships that share risk

Opatola also urged global institutions such as UN-Habitat, World Bank, and IFC to support reforms and help mobilise pension funds into housing finance.

He stressed that Nigeria’s urban informality is not cultural but a result of long-standing policy failure.

Global Call for Collaboration

FIABCI World President, Antonio Campagnoli, noted that housing challenges are global, including affordability gaps, supply shortages, and policy misalignment.

He called for stronger 5P collaboration models where governments, private investors, institutions, and communities jointly develop scalable housing solutions.

Campagnoli also emphasised the need for better data and impact measurement in housing delivery, describing housing as critical social infrastructure that links financial sustainability with social outcomes.

The post FIABCI Pushes 5P Model to Tackle Nigeria’s 28 Million Housing Deficit appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal Government has strengthened its collaboration with UN-Habitat to accelerate affordable housing delivery and promote the development of resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart cities across Nigeria.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed this during a meeting with a UN-Habitat delegation in Abuja, noting that both parties are advancing Climate Responsive Housing Initiatives aimed at expanding access to sustainable homes while addressing climate risks.

Dangiwa said Nigeria recognises the strategic value of the partnership, particularly in facilitating access to international climate finance from global funding institutions. He added that the collaboration would help mobilise resources for social housing programmes targeted at vulnerable populations, including women who are disproportionately affected by climate change and conflict-induced displacement.

The minister also expressed appreciation to the European Union-funded Sustainable Integrated Development Programme for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria (SIDPIN) for delivering housing solutions and strengthening community integration in Adamawa, Kano and Borno states. He said the initiative aligns with the ministry’s priority of rebuilding livelihoods and fostering social cohesion in post-conflict areas.

According to him, the Federal Government remains mindful of its obligations under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN-Habitat and is committed to meeting those commitments while leveraging opportunities within the framework.

Dangiwa further revealed that mechanisms are underway to review the National Urban Development Policy as part of broader planning reforms designed to reposition Nigeria’s built environment and promote sustainable urbanisation.

The renewed partnership underscores Nigeria’s push to bridge its housing deficit, enhance urban resilience, and align national housing strategies with global climate and sustainability standards.

The post FG, UN-Habitat Deepen Ties on Affordable Housing, Climate-Smart Cities appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Chairman of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), African Zonal Network, Mohammed Kabir, has commended Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his administration’s commitment to reforming land governance to promote development, enhance security, and attract investment to the state.

Kabir, who led a five-day technical mission to Ekiti, spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during the Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration intervention programme themed “Strengthening Innovative Approaches Towards Enhanced Land Governance.”

The programme, organised under the Global Land Tool Network Catalytic Intervention Initiative, was a collaboration between the Ekiti State Government, the United Nations-Habitat, and FIG, bringing together key stakeholders in land administration across the state.

Kabir lauded the state’s strides in developing a statewide surveying and mapping framework, a Geographic Information System (GIS), and a modernised Land Information Management System — initiatives he said had drawn international attention.

He noted that with only about three per cent of Nigeria’s land formally registered, the country faces major challenges in national development, security, and planning. He praised Ekiti’s proactive measures as a model for improving land governance and economic growth.

“The international community recognises the strides being made by Governor Oyebanji and his team in improving livelihoods, strengthening security, and enhancing land governance,” Kabir said. “We are here to offer technical support, build capacity, and deepen partnerships that can help sustain these efforts.”

He added that accurate land data could empower local farmers and residents to access credit facilities and boost productivity through land-backed collateral.

Also speaking, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Land Management, Akintobi Olusanmi, highlighted the state’s progress in digitising land processes. He said key infrastructure such as Continuous Operating Reference Stations had been installed, while aerial imagery of the entire state was being captured to ensure precision in planning and development.

Olusanmi further disclosed that the state’s comprehensive master plan project, initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN-Habitat in June 2023, was nearing a critical stage.

“The project has reached the contribution agreement phase, which is undergoing final legal review,” he said. “Once concluded, the drafting of the master plan will commence immediately and is expected to be completed within the first six months.”

The post FIG Commends Oyebanji for Driving Land Administration Reforms in Ekiti appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The announcement was made in Umuahia by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a media briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

According to Kanu, the master plan was developed through a partnership between the Greater Aba Development Authority and UN-Habitat. It will address key challenges such as urban planning, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

The blueprint is structured around four core pillars:

1.Transportation and Infrastructure: Upgrades to road networks, city connectivity, and transportation systems.

2.Economic Development: Expansion and formalization of commercial and industrial zones within Aba.

3.Sustainable Urban Growth: Planned urban expansion with a focus on environmental sustainability.

4.Flood Control and Resilience: Implementation of flood management systems and terrestrial resilience measures.

In addition, the Commissioner revealed that 91,227 residents have enrolled in the Abia State Social Health Insurance Scheme. The scheme, initially targeted at the formal sector, will now be extended to the informal sector following executive council approval.

Prince Kanu also announced the commissioning of a fully operational Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Abia State Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia. The facility is expected to improve emergency care and support advanced surgical procedures.

On education infrastructure, the Commissioner stated that the first phase of the power restoration project at Abia State University (ABSU) has been completed. Power has been restored to several campus areas. He confirmed that the second phase will commence once approvals are secured. Renovation of student hostels is ongoing, with electrical and plumbing works completed and the buildings set for handover soon.

Addressing security concerns, Kanu acknowledged recent incidents in Umunneochi and assured the public that security agencies have been placed on full alert. The state government has committed to strengthening security across all affected areas.

Speaking further, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, noted that the state has initiated the process of transferring regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority.

The post Abia Government to Unveil 25-Year Development Blueprint for Greater Aba appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, made the appeal during a meeting in Abuja with UN-Habitat’s Regional Office representative, Mathias Spaliviero. Dangiwa praised the agency’s presentation on Nigeria’s urbanisation challenges, calling it “insightful and timely,” especially as the country advances its urban renewal efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the Minister, the revised NUDP, which received Federal Executive Council approval last week, was shaped with input from UN-Habitat. He described the policy as a strategic roadmap aligned with global priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, aimed at guiding Nigeria’s rapid urban expansion sustainably.

Dangiwa stressed that while the policy framework has been finalized, the next step—execution—requires sustained collaboration. He called on UN-Habitat to shift from a supportive advisory role to an active partner in implementation by providing institutional capacity and recommending urban planning experts who can work closely with the Ministry at national and sub-national levels.

In his presentation, Spaliviero highlighted the importance of sound financial systems, clear regulatory frameworks, and well-designed planning strategies for Nigeria to effectively manage urban growth and upgrade informal settlements.

Both parties agreed on the importance of continued cooperation to turn the policy into practical results that improve urban living conditions and support national development goals.

The post Nigeria Seeks UN-Habitat Backing for New Urban Development Policy Rollout appeared first on Housing TV Africa.