The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called on the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, to revitalize the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) program as she marks her first 100 days in office.
Festus Adebayo, Executive Director of HDAN, issued a statement in Abuja congratulating Walson-Jack on her milestone and emphasized the critical need for the government to address housing challenges facing civil servants in Nigeria.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack on her 100 days in office,” Adebayo stated. “However, this moment also presents an opportunity to spotlight the urgent need to reinvigorate the FISH program to alleviate the housing crisis faced by civil servants in Nigeria.”
Adebayo highlighted the growing financial strain on workers caused by skyrocketing rent prices, a situation he described as “an everyday reality” for many. He noted that the FISH program, introduced in 2015, is a proven solution that needs further enhancement and sustainable implementation.
“The rising cost of rent is an enormous challenge for workers, threatening their financial stability and productivity. The FISH program was a commendable initiative by the Federal Government, and it must be sustained and improved to offer meaningful relief,” he added.
HDAN urged Walson-Jack to foster collaborations with key stakeholders in the housing and financial sectors, including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Family Homes Fund Limited, and the newly established Ministry of Finance Incorporated.
“We encourage the Head of Service to collaborate with organizations that can provide the necessary funding and expertise to sustain the FISH program,” Adebayo said. “Housing is more than a basic need, it’s a tool for enhancing worker productivity and reducing corruption within the civil service. When workers have hope of owning a home, their commitment to public service improves.”
The FISH program was launched by the Federal Government in 2015 as a partnership between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and American Building System International (ABSI). It was designed to improve civil servants’ access to affordable housing through bulk land allocation, infrastructure development, and inter-ministerial collaboration.
Since its inception, the program has delivered tangible results, including the commissioning of 118 housing units for civil servants and the launch of 216 additional units in Abuja, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
HDAN, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing affordable housing in Africa, continues to champion innovative housing solutions. With over 5,000 members from diverse disciplines within the housing and construction industry, the organization remains at the forefront of efforts to make housing accessible and sustainable.
“Our mission is to promote affordable housing for all, and we see the FISH program as a critical part of this vision,” Adebayo said. “By reinvigorating this initiative, the government can set a powerful example of what can be achieved when we prioritize the welfare of our workforce.”
As Walson-Jack continues her tenure, HDAN’s appeal calls for sustainable housing as a cornerstone of national development and worker welfare.
