FG to deliver 77,400 units across LGAs in one year

If everything goes as it’s being planned, the Federal Government is set to 77,400 housing units across the nation’s Local Government Areas (LGAs) in one year.

This is part of the much-talked-about Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme to be launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of initiatives to address the housing needs of Nigerians, regardless of class or income level.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, revealed this while receiving a delegation from Creative Sphere Limited at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi.

Dangiwa explained that the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme is designed to provide homes for low-income earners, the unemployed, vulnerable groups, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), covering both the formal and informal sectors.

“In addition, the Federal Government plans to construct 100 housing units in each of the 774 local government areas across the country, amounting to a total of 77,400 units. The construction is expected to be completed within one year from the date of launch,” he said.

Describing the programme as visionary, the minister noted that it reflected President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to decent housing, saying it underscored his passion for a better Nigeria, where even the most vulnerable can own a livable home.

Dangiwa further disclosed that the programme will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF).

On the structure of the housing estates, he said that each estate would be equipped with auxiliary facilities such as recreational areas, a primary school, a police outpost, a clinic, and a shopping mall.

Regarding the allocation of the houses, the minister explained that 80 percent of the houses will be sold to Nigerians living in the local government areas who earn a living wage, adding that interested individuals will be required to contribute one-third of their monthly income.

 “Anyone earning as low as N30,000 per month will be able to purchase a house, as they will only need to pay N10,000 monthly, which is one-third of their earnings. Similarly, someone earning N90,000 will pay N30,000.” he explained.

According to the minister, the remaining 20 percent of the housing units will be allocated free of charge to citizens with low or no income, such as widows, orphans, and others identified as vulnerable in society.

Dangiwa also highlighted that the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme is the third component of the broader Renewed Hope Housing initiative, which includes the Renewed Hope Housing Estates and Renewed Hope Cities, bringing the total to three components.

According to him, Renewed Hope Cities are being developed in seven locations: the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and one city in each of the six geopolitical zones—Rivers (South-South), Lagos (South-West), Enugu (South-East), Nasarawa (North-Central), Kano (North-West), and Maiduguri (North-East).

“These projects are under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. Under the Renewed Hope Estates initiative, the Federal Government plans to build 250 housing units in each of the 30 state capitals across Nigeria.

 “We are constructing 250 units, taking two capital cities from each geopolitical zone, making a total of twelve. These are funded through the Federal budget, and this year, we intend to expand further,” he said.

In response to a partnership proposal for the upcoming real estate innovation and investment carnival by Creative Sphere Limited, the minister lauded the initiative.

He noted that the carnival, roadshow, and award night are excellent avenues to promote the housing sector and enhance the visibility of the Ministry’s programmes.

Earlier in the meeting, Chairman of Creative Sphere Limited, Mr. Monday Ogedengbe, told the minister that their visit was to seek collaboration with the ministry for the upcoming event scheduled later this year.

He noted that Creative Sphere aims to highlight the role of real estate in national economic growth by bringing a carnival-style awareness campaign to the sector, both nationally and internationally.

Ogedengbe outlined key initiatives to be launched, including the Association of Women in Real Estate, Youth Access to Homes, and a Diaspora Investment Desk, emphasizing that collaboration with the ministry would boost public acceptance.

READ ALSO: FG targets vulnerable groups with 100,000 social housing