The Federal Government has pledged to prioritise ongoing housing projects across the country.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, made this known on Friday in Abuja during the ministry’s expanded management meeting with heads of departments and units.

Mr Dangiwa said that the meeting was to review the 2025 performance of the ministry and present the 2026 work plan.

He said, “The ministry will in 2026 prioritise the completion of all ongoing projects, particularly the Renewed Hope Housing Projects. This re-emphasises the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to provide Nigerians access to affordable and decent housing.

“I will like to tell you that this year is our defining year, 2026 is not just another year; it is our decisive year. This is the year Nigerians will look back on and ask what the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has delivered.”

The minister said that despite funding challenges in 2025, the ministry was able to appreciably achieve milestones in both its presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables.

He noted that these included reforms in land administration and delivery of Renewed Hope Cities in Karsana Abuja, Kano and Lagos, which are due for inauguration soon.

Mr Dangiwa urged the staff to step up efforts and commitment, saying “for us to achieve this much despite the 2025 funding constraints, we can achieve more this year when funding is made available.”

He disclosed the firm commitments made by the federal government to address funding gaps and clear outstanding liabilities in 2026.

Accordingly, the minister urged the Directors of the departments of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Public Buildings to intensify monitoring of various sites to ensure effective and timely delivery of projects, stressing that Nigerians expect affordable and decent housing.

The minister charged heads of departments to ensure that contractors that had been mobilised were given clear timelines for project completion.

He stated, “You need to engage these contractors closely by ensuring that those mobilised return to site and are properly monitored, especially from the controller’s side.”

He stressed the need for the ministry to consolidate its legacy in 2026 to showcase its achievements to Nigerians and the international community.

The minister called for the cooperation and inputs of staff to help the federal government achieve its Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.

On Renewed Hope Cities, the minister disclosed that three additional locations, namely Maiduguri, Enugu and Port Harcourt, would come on stream.

He said that the addition would bring the total number to six, alongside the existing projects in Lagos, Abuja and Kano states.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, stated that the departments of Public Private Partnership and Public Buildings were expected to meet their targets in 2026, assuring them of needed support to achieve their goals.

Mr Belgore noted that maximum publicity programmes would be deployed to showcase the successes and achievements as part of the administration’s scorecard in 2026.

He said that Nigerians were eager to see improved Renewed Hope housing delivery.

(NAN)