At an event commemorating 2024 Urban October and World Habitat Day in Abuja, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, reiterated the federal government’s dedication to affordable housing initiatives to support low-income earners across Nigeria.
Addressing attendees, Dangiwa underscored the government’s emphasis on policy frameworks benefiting lower-income groups, including the National Social Housing Fund, which provides affordable housing access to low-income Nigerians.
“The Federal Government is actively working to reduce the housing deficit, with current investments in housing and infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Program,” he noted, adding that phase one of the program targets 50,000 housing units across 14 states.
The event aligns with the United Nations-designated World Habitat Day, which promotes sustainable urban futures. This year’s theme, “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future and Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities,” emphasizes the importance of youth involvement in building resilient and climate-conscious cities.
Dangiwa highlighted the recent launch of a policy focused on integrating youth perspectives into urban planning, fostering inclusive and sustainable cities.
Further reinforcing climate resilience, Dangiwa mentioned a workshop on green building practices, conducted in collaboration with the World Bank, to incorporate eco-friendly designs into housing projects. He added that government policies are being developed to enhance urban regeneration, improve housing finance systems, and strengthen the National Urban Governance Framework.
Echoing the federal government’s commitment, Mr. Shehu Osidi, Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), assured that the bank would continue to provide affordable housing loans to young Nigerians, supporting both individuals and institutions dedicated to transforming urban centers across the nation.
