The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD) has raised serious alarm over widespread delays and reports of substandard work threatening the success of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
Minister of Housing, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has issued repeated warnings to contractors handling the projects, demanding timely and high-quality delivery or risk demolition of faulty structures, contract revocation, and blacklisting. Despite these stern notices, several housing sites continue to suffer from slow progress and alleged use of subpar materials.
Speaking with The Nation, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media Strategy, Mr. Mark Chieshe, reassured Nigerians of the Ministry’s firm commitment to delivering affordable and decent homes across the country. “Routine performance reviews are ongoing, and appropriate measures are being taken. The Ministry is fully committed to delivering decent and affordable housing to Nigerians, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Chieshe stated.
Currently, construction is underway in phases across 14 states, with notable progress in locations such as Katsina, Sokoto, and Akwa Ibom, where buildings have reached the roofing stage. Infrastructure components, including roads, drainage systems, and electrical installations, are also being developed.
However, concerns persist due to the lack of confirmed sanctions against non-compliant contractors. A senior civil servant, speaking anonymously, criticized the absence of accountability, stating, “This is public money, and these are homes meant for ordinary Nigerians. If contractors cannot do the job, they should be held accountable.”
Housing experts say quality concerns in government-backed projects are not new, but what stands out now is the Ministry’s public admission of the challenges and its vow to enforce strict standards. In a recent meeting with developers, Minister Dangiwa reinforced this stance: “This is not business as usual. Any substandard work will be demolished and redone at the contractor’s expense.”
While visible progress has been recorded in some areas, the Ministry’s reluctance to publicly sanction erring contractors is drawing criticism. Nonetheless, the FMHUD maintains that enforcement actions are underway behind the scenes and has urged Nigerians to remain patient.
“Every housing unit will meet the standard of quality, safety, and affordability,” Chieshe assured.
