……Dangiwa Launches National Housing Data Committee
…….. Minister Calls for Urgent Overhaul of Housing Data
In a significant stride toward addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has inaugurated the Joint Steering Committee on the National Housing Data Centre.
Speaking at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Minister emphasized the critical need for reliable housing data, highlighting its importance as the foundation for effective policy-making and economic growth.
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“Ensuring access to decent and affordable housing is not only a social and moral responsibility of the government; it is also a catalyst for economic development, job creation, and poverty alleviation,” the Minister declared, underscoring the far-reaching impact of a robust housing sector on national stability and prosperity.
The Minister pointed out the current lack of credible, scientific, and verifiable data as a significant impediment to progress in the housing sector. “Without data, we cannot know the magnitude of the problem we are facing… we would be flying blind. This is not sustainable,” the Minister warned, stressing the urgency of establishing a comprehensive housing data framework.
The newly formed Joint Steering Committee comprises key stakeholders from both public and private sectors, including the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, National Population Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Mortage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Nigeria Mortage Refinance Company (NMRC) Family Homes Fund (FHF), Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Association of Housing Cooperation of Nigeria (AHCN) Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) among others.
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Their mandate includes developing a blueprint for the National Housing Data Centre, which is set to revolutionize how housing data is gathered, managed, and utilized across the country.
The Minister expressed optimism that the committee’s work would pave the way for a more transparent and efficient housing market in Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The timeline for the committee’s deliverables is set for six months, with specific milestones to be achieved within two to four months.
“I urge all the members to take this national assignment seriously… Let us work towards meeting them and charting a new and credible path forward for housing data acquisition, management, and usage,” the Minister urged, signaling a clear commitment to transformative change in the sector.
The inauguration marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s housing policy, setting the stage for improved access to affordable housing and a stronger economy driven by informed decision-making.