The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, announced that the Federal Government’s land reforms will facilitate easier access to Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for Nigerians.
Speaking at the Ministerial Sectoral briefing in Abuja, Dangiwa outlined the progress of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past year.
Dangiwa emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing reforms that streamline land access processes.
READ ALSO:JUST-IN: Dangiwa Tasks New ARCON Council on Professionalism, Result Delivery
“We have inaugurated a Land Reforms Task Team that includes state governments, traditional rulers, relevant agencies, professional bodies, academia, and stakeholders to ensure inclusivity,” he said. The Task Team has provided preliminary reports and is nearing the completion of its assignments.
Key among the reforms is drafting an Executive Bill to amend the outdated Land Use Act of 1978, which has historically hindered housing sector development. Additionally, the government plans to establish the National Land Commission to provide clear guidelines for the Land Use Act’s implementation.
In parallel, a Housing Reform Task Team has been established to optimize housing agencies under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. This team, composed of experts and stakeholders, is developing a comprehensive framework for housing sector reform. The framework includes reviewing relevant laws and facilitating necessary legislative amendments, such as those affecting the Land Use Act of 1978, the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act of 1992, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Establishment Act of 1993, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Act of 1973, and the PenCom Act.
Dangiwa highlighted the goal of these reforms to increase housing investments, promote the nationwide adoption of foreclosure laws, and reduce building material costs.
To support these objectives, the Federal Government has also inaugurated a Building Materials Manufacturing Task Team. This team will assess the current state of the building materials sector and develop a strategic reform plan to boost local manufacturing, thereby driving economic growth, creating jobs, and reducing import dependency.
Minister Dangiwa reaffirms commitment to improve housing for police
To further increase housing supply, a Multi-Agency Project Delivery Team has been formed to ensure collaboration among housing agencies, leveraging their collective strengths to deliver affordable housing to Nigerians.
Dangiwa concluded by reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the housing sector through these reforms and initiatives, aligning with the administration’s renewed hope agenda for housing and urban development.