FG Cuts Housing Deficit, Hands Over 116 Housing Units To Benue

The federal government has intensified efforts to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit with the handing over of 116 completed housing units under the National Housing Programme to the Benue State government, describing the initiative as part of a broader strategy to expand affordable housing and strengthen partnerships with states.

The houses, delivered in Makurdi, on Wednesday,, were acquired by the Benue State government and are expected to boost access to decent accommodation while supporting the welfare of workers and residents.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, said the National Housing Programme remains one of the federal government’s flagship interventions aimed at reducing the country’s housing shortfall, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

Represented at the ceremony by the director of Public Buildings and Housing Development, QS Pemi Samuel Temitope, the minister said the project underscored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.

He described the handover as a major milestone in the federal government’s commitment to improving living conditions across the country through strategic collaboration with state governments.

“Housing remains one of the most fundamental needs of every society. Beyond providing shelter, it promotes human dignity, family stability, public health, security and stronger communities,” Darma said.

He commended Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for acquiring the estate, describing the decision as a strategic investment that would expand access to quality and affordable housing for citizens.

According to him, the National Housing Programme is being implemented in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as a deliberate intervention to bridge Nigeria’s housing gap.

He said the programme not only delivers affordable homes but also generates employment opportunities, stimulates local economies and encourages the use of locally sourced building materials.

“Today’s ceremony is more than the transfer of physical structures. It is a demonstration of purposeful leadership, effective intergovernmental collaboration and our shared commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians,” he added.

Receiving the estate on behalf of Governor Alia, the acting head of Service of Benue State, Dr. Eunice Ogbeniyi, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for the partnership.

She said the governor’s acquisition of the housing estate reflected his commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants and residents, assuring that the houses would be effectively utilised for their intended purpose.

Darma also lauded the Benue State Government’s investments in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education, noting that the housing acquisition complemented the administration’s broader socio-economic development agenda.

The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to working with state governments and other stakeholders to accelerate housing delivery, saying sustained partnerships remain critical to achieving sustainable urban development and reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

He expressed confidence that the estate would serve as a lasting symbol of productive collaboration between the Federal and Benue State governments while contributing significantly to the state’s development objectives.