The Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has warned state housing agencies that they risk being sidelined from major federal government initiatives if they fail to modernize and actively participate in the ongoing Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
At a strategic session held in Abuja, AHCN President Eno Obongha called on state housing corporations to take advantage of the “low-hanging fruits” presented by the programme, which aims to deliver 50,000 housing units in its initial phase. The initiative, led by the federal government, is already underway in 14 locations, including a significant 3,112-unit project in Karsana, Abuja, with others in Kano, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Delta States.
Obongha warned that the window of opportunity could close quickly, and many corporations may miss out due to inaction. He noted that some housing agencies have not constructed a single home in over a decade and criticized governors who have reduced these corporations to mere departments within state ministries — a move he said contradicts the National Housing Policy.
The association’s Executive Secretary, Toye Eniola, reinforced the urgency of reform. He lamented that many housing corporations are outdated, still using manual typewriters and lacking websites, making them unfit for today’s digital economy. Eniola attributed the sector’s stagnation to weak leadership, overreliance on government subvention, and an unwillingness to adopt modern business practices.
Both Obongha and Eniola called on housing corporations to transform into dynamic, business-oriented entities that can compete, attract investment, and contribute meaningfully to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.
