The federal government says it has introduced land administration initiatives and is collaborating with the World Bank and states to boost housing transactions by 50 per cent and raise Nigeria’s GDP by 30 per cent.

The minister of housing and urban development, Ahmed Dangiwa, revealed this on Wednesday at a sector retreat for top ministry officials in Lagos.

The event was themed ‘Actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development: Examining Strategies, Identifying Opportunities to Boost Scale and Impact’.

He said his ministry established a land reform task team, which has submitted a comprehensive blueprint for effective land governance in Nigeria.

The land administration was a major topic at the retreat, which was the first since Dangiwa assumed office about 19 months ago. 

The ministry is currently working with the World Bank in collaboration with state governments, to implement a National Land Registration and Titling Programme.

He noted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is determined to make a difference despite failed attempts by previous administrations over the past 50 years to fix housing issues.

Mr Dangiwa said his ministry is continuing the National Housing Programme, started in 2016, which aimed to build 7,522 units but completed 3,388.

“In 19 months, we have 14 active construction sites for a total of 10,112 housing units.

“With the pace of work — many at roofing levels — we aim to complete all these units and more within a maximum three-year period,” he said.

According to him, the federal government aims to fix housing shortages, requiring at least 500,000 units annually to bridge the gap.

He outlined goals, partnerships, and initiatives to improve housing finance, boost production, and increase financial inflows to the nation. 

“The plan is to formalise land transactions by 50 per cent over ten years, unlocking over $150 billion in dead capital and increasing Nigeria’s GDP by 30 per cent.

“The World Bank was here on the first Technical Mission in November and is set to return for a second mission in early March,” he said.

Commending the high-calibre attendance, including federal lawmakers, the minister said Nigeria must prioritise housing as a catalyst for economic growth.

According to him, investment in housing and urban development is both a moral necessity and an economic imperative.

“Providing decent homes and building liveable communities not only improves lives and fosters patriotism but also drives economic growth and ensures national security,” he said.

Mr Dangiwa, an architect, added that Nigeria faces a huge housing deficit, with most of its 43 million households living in substandard housing and slums.

He said the sector has suffered political neglect since independence but praised recent National Assembly interventions to increase funding.

He outlined various policies, including social housing, adding that the retreat’s theme was deliberately chosen to find holistic solutions to availability and affordability challenges.

 (NAN)