FG to provide free housing for 77,400 vulnerable Nigerians – Dangiwa

The Federal Government has announced plan to provide free housing units to 77,400 vulnerable Nigerians across all 774 local government areas under its proposed National Social Housing Fund. 

The initiative, which aims to generate N1.2 trillion through voluntary monthly contributions from Nigerians, is awaiting legislative approval to become operational.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this during a Meet the Press briefing at the State House. 

He explained that the program targets the most vulnerable in society, offering them homes free of charge as part of the administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

“The timeline quite well now is before the end of 2025, the National Social Housing Fund is going to be on ground. We have done all our groundwork. The report is ready, and we have written letters to all stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, to ensure we have their backing before presenting it to the Federal Executive Council”, Dangiwa said. 

He outlined the funding mechanism, emphasizing voluntary contributions from at least 10% of Nigeria’s population—approximately 20 million people. Each contributor would be encouraged to donate N5,000 monthly over a year, amounting to N60,000 per person.

“If 10% of Nigerians can contribute N5,000 monthly, that’s N60,000 annually. Together, we will generate N1.2 trillion. This amount can build 100,000 houses, but we only need 77,400 homes—100 per local government—to meet our target,” Dangiwa explained.

The homes, which will include two- and three-bedroom units, will be valued at approximately N10 million each, the minister said, assuring that the fund would prioritize transparency and accountability to earn the trust of contributors.

“We don’t want to enforce this on Nigerians. If you know these houses will be delivered and you have the will, I’m sure many Nigerians will contribute more than N60,000, even at a go, to support the vulnerable and underprivileged in their local government,” he said.

The initiative forms part of the administration’s broader housing strategy, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Renewed Hope Estates programs, which focus on urban and state-level housing developments. The National Social Housing Fund, however, zeroes in on rural and local government areas to ensure inclusivity.

Dangiwa urged all Nigerians and stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that it would only become a reality once the National Assembly passes the enabling legislation. 

“This is the framework we are about to bring up, and we need the buy-in of everybody. Once approved, it’s going to be done,” he stated.

If implemented, the program could mark a significant milestone in addressing housing inequality and supporting Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, the Minister has disclosed that federal government has created over 252,000 jobs and launched the construction of 10,000 housing units under its Renewed Hope Agenda. 

“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are focused on providing accessible and affordable housing for all Nigerians,” Dangiwa stated. 

The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, a centerpiece of this effort, spans 14 active construction sites and includes 12 estates with 250 housing units each. 

Larger urban projects are ongoing in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos, with plans to build at least one Renewed Hope City in every geopolitical zone.

Beyond housing construction, the programme’s economic impact is significant. “At an average of 25 jobs per housing unit, we have directly and indirectly created over 252,800 jobs across the country,” said Dangiwa.

Workers, earning daily wages of ₦5,000, often make monthly incomes well above the national minimum wage, contributing to economic stability and reducing crime, he added.

The Ministry has also introduced affordable homeownership schemes to expand access to housing. Through the National Housing Fund (NHF), Nigerians can access loans of up to ₦50 million at a 6% interest rate with a repayment period of up to 30 years. 

A Rent-to-Own scheme offers another pathway, allowing contributors to pay for homes over three decades without initial equity.

“These are life-changing pathways to homeownership,” Dangiwa said, emphasizing accessibility. 

A Renewed Hope Online Housing Delivery Portal has been launched, enabling citizens to apply for housing units directly, with over 47,000 registered users and 1,000 completed applications so far.

Funding remains a challenge, with the 2023 supplementary budget allocating ₦50 billion to the Renewed Hope Estates and ₦27.2 billion proposed for 2024. 

Public-private partnerships have also attracted over ₦40 billion for projects, such as Karsana Renewed Hope City, backed by a ₦100 billion guarantee from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

However, Dangiwa noted that meeting Nigeria’s annual housing deficit of 550,000 units requires more resources. “We are advocating for a minimum annual housing budget of ₦500 billion starting in 2025,” he said, adding that the proposal has garnered support from the National Assembly.

The Minister concluded by affirming the administration’s broader goals. “We are not just building houses; we are building hope, jobs, and economic opportunities,” he said. 

“Our mission is to create a Nigeria where every citizen can aspire to a decent home and a thriving urban environment,” he said.