Housing A Right, Not Privilege – Minister

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has said access to decent housing is a fundamental human right, not a privilege.

He therefore called for urgent collaboration to tackle Africa’s housing deficit.

At the 19th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, Dangiwa said the Nigerian government was committed to bridging the gap between policy and delivery through the new State-by-State Homeownership and Housing Development Campaign.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with state governments, development partners and the private sector, is aimed at empowering the citizens with the tools and information to access affordable housing options.

Dangiwa stressed that the campaign would translate policy frameworks into real opportunities for ordinary Nigerians.

“To underscore the government’s renewed political will for housing delivery, we have finalised plans to establish an experts-led National Housing Policy Coordination and Monitoring Committee,” the minister announced.

He said, “This committee will evaluate and report on the actual implementation of housing policies across the country.”

The minister described housing as the cornerstone of social development, stating that it plays a vital role in health, productivity, dignity, and stability.

“When we invest in housing, we are investing in people, in jobs, in our cities, and in our collective future,” he said.

Chairman of the AIHS Advisory Board, Suleiman Hassan Zarma, raised concern over the scale of Africa’s housing crisis, noting that Sub-Saharan Africa alone faces a deficit of more than 50 million housing units.

He described the challenge as a billion-dollar opportunity that could generate jobs, spur innovation, and boost economic development.

In a goodwill message, former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon urged African governments to prioritise housing as a key driver of sustainable development and praised the AIHS organisers for their commitment to urban transformation.

Also speaking at the event, Ghanaian lawmaker and chairman of the Works and Housing Committee, Hon. Vincent Obong, emphasised the importance of inter-country collaboration.
He described the AIHS as a vital platform for sharing experiences and fostering regional integration.

Also, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria’s chief executive officer, Alhaji Shehu Usman Osidi, commended Dangiwa’s leadership, describing his approach as visionary and inclusive.

He called for continued stakeholder engagement to ensure that housing becomes more accessible to low and middle-income earners across Africa.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Nigeria’s Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, outlined several policy adjustments designed to support the housing and construction sectors.

“These include exemptions on VAT for rent and housing transactions, reduced tax rates for building activities, and incentives for local production of building materials.”