Fixing the Roots of Housing Crisis – Dangiwa

Dangiwa: Tinubu Administration Committed to Laying Foundations for Affordable Housing

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has reaffirmed the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to addressing the structural and economic barriers hindering access to affordable housing in Nigeria.

While outlining the government’s nationwide housing strategy, Dangiwa pointed out that the real bottlenecks exist at the subnational level. According to him, many states struggle with limited technical expertise, inadequate planning frameworks, and a lack of financial instruments to drive effective housing delivery.

He emphasized that sustainable progress must go beyond federal initiatives, stressing that true impact lies in grassroots implementation. As part of this vision, the ministry is spearheading plans to establish Social Housing Estates in local government areas across the country—aimed specifically at providing decent and affordable housing for low-income earners.

Dangiwa noted that these projects will be supported by government-backed subsidies to ensure affordability and accessibility for vulnerable communities.

Dangiwa Outlines Federal Strategy for Affordable Housing, Gana Calls for Localised Solutions

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s firm commitment to overhauling the foundational structures necessary to make housing accessible and affordable for the average Nigerian.

Speaking at the opening session of the 19th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, Dangiwa stressed that while the federal government has ambitious national plans, lasting progress must be driven from the grassroots up. He pointed out that housing delivery gaps are most acute at the subnational level, where many state governments still struggle with limited technical expertise, weak planning systems, and a lack of financial tools to execute meaningful housing projects.

ALSO READ : Eko, Ikeja Discos Begin 3-Week Power Outage for TCN Repairs

To bridge that divide, the minister unveiled a bold initiative focused on developing Social Housing Estates for low-income earners across Nigeria’s local government areas. These projects, he explained, will be supported by targeted federal subsidies to ensure affordability and long-term viability.

“With the administration taking aggressive steps to stabilise the economy, improve the strength of the naira, boost real incomes, and bring down inflation, we are laying the groundwork for a housing market that truly reflects the economic realities of Nigerian households,” Dangiwa said.

He also disclosed plans to deploy Housing Reform Champions as Special Advisers to State Governors, initiate State Housing Roundtables, and provide direct technical support to help states craft executable housing strategies and unlock funding opportunities. According to Dangiwa, this strategy aims to synchronize state efforts with federal policies to ensure consistency, efficiency, and broad access to housing finance.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, used the platform to issue a stark warning about the growing housing affordability crisis in Nigeria.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL

“The situation is becoming critical,” Gana said. “We are witnessing an alarming rise in housing prices and mortgage interest rates that are simply out of reach for the average Nigerian worker.”

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, he noted that Nigeria’s housing deficit is now estimated at between 17 and 22 million units, leaving over 90% of the population unable to afford a home.

Professor Gana identified inflation—standing at 23.71% as of April 2025—and interest rates upwards of 20% as key barriers to homeownership. He further blamed the devaluation of the naira for inflating the cost of imported construction materials, which currently account for as much as 70% of housing production expenses.

To address these issues, he advocated for the decentralisation of infrastructure development and the creation of building materials manufacturing hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“We must embrace local innovation and produce truly Nigerian homes,” he said. “Promoting local content in the housing sector is no longer optional—it’s essential for economic resilience and national development.”

He called on stakeholders across public and private sectors to collaborate on practical, inclusive policies that serve all Nigerians, adding that the future of Africa’s housing sector depends on unified action, homegrown solutions, and smart investments.