Federal Govt Pushes Policy Harmonisation, PPPs To Accelerate Housing Delivery

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has reaffirmed its commitment to policy harmonisation and deeper Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as key strategies to fast-track housing delivery and promote sustainable urban development in Nigeria.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, stated this on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara state, at the 14th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development (NCLHUD).

Belgore said effective coordination among federal, state, and local governments, with strong private-sector participation, remains critical to tackling Nigeria’s housing deficit and building functional cities.

He described the Council as the highest statutory policy advisory body in the sector, noting that it provides a platform for aligning national and sub-national policies on housing, land administration and urban development.

According to him, pressure on public finances has made PPPs indispensable, stressing that harmonised land administration systems, planning standards, financing frameworks and delivery models are essential to attracting investment and accelerating housing supply.

Belgore identified major challenges confronting the sector, including limited access to land, high construction costs, weak land documentation, inadequate mortgage financing and skills gaps. He added that the demerger of the Ministry from Works was aimed at repositioning housing for greater impact.

He also highlighted ongoing reforms under the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, including land governance digitisation, urban renewal initiatives, promotion of local building materials and the establishment of manufacturing hubs to reduce costs and create jobs.

Also speaking, the Kwara State commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, said the state was committed to adopting global best practices in managing urbanisation and pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government to address housing deficits and urban sprawl.