Dangote Advocates Budget-friendly Mass Housing For Nigerians

Dangote Cement Plc has urged stakeholders in the housing industry to consider a budget-friendly mass housing scheme for Nigerians.

Speaking at the ongoing Africa International Housing Show, the national sales director, Dangote Cement Plc, Dolapo Alli, said: “Addressing housing issues requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, private developers, non-profits, and communities. The government can adopt public-private partnerships (PPPs) to support mass housing initiatives.

“Through PPP models, the government may initiate the construction of new estates, while companies and firms in the building and construction sector can be granted tax waivers and credits to facilitate the financing of new and affordable housing developments.”

Alli, who was speaking at the company’s Special Day, said mass housing is one of the several strategies used to address the challenge of providing adequate housing for the public, adding that the approach had helped to tackle the pressures of rapid urbanisation in numerous countries around the world.

He commended the federal government’s efforts in implementing mass housing programmes, adding that more gaps need to be filled.

He said, “Nigeria, through the Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, has taken commendable steps toward addressing the critical gap in access to affordable housing finance. This initiative signals a strong commitment to making homeownership accessible for citizens, particularly low- and middle-income earners.

“However, given the scale of the nation’s housing deficit—estimated in the millions—much more needs to be done.

There is a pressing need for broader collaboration across public and private sectors to unlock innovative financing solutions, streamline regulatory processes, and scale delivery to meet the growing demand for decent and affordable housing.”

He identified several challenges affecting the provision of affordable housing in Nigeria.

He said some of the challenges include rapid urbanisation, population growth, a knowledge gap in housing, the high cost of land acquisition, the rising cost of construction materials, a lack of basic infrastructure, inaccurate housing demographics, and limited access to long-term and low-cost financing.

He said the company’s continued participation in the Africa International Housing Show stems from its conviction that the gathering has made a meaningful impact by generating ideas and fostering partnerships that contribute to providing shelter for Nigerians.

He urged governments at all levels to implement effective policies and make available lands for mass housing in Nigeria.