In a bid to bolster Nigeria’s housing sector, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has called on the Senate Committee on Housing to allocate additional funding for seven crucial programs, including the ambitious Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Housing Programme and the Slump Upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme.
During a budget defense session held at the National Assembly, Dangiwa expressed concerns over the inadequate budgetary allocation of N162.61 billion for 2024, which has been reduced to a mere N83.75 billion for 2025. He emphasized the need for increased financial support, stating, “These areas are very critical to the transformative policies and programs of Mr. President to put the economy on the path of recovery and growth.”
The Renewed Hope Cities initiative aims to construct 50,000 housing units, generating approximately 1.25 million direct and indirect jobs in the process. Dangiwa highlighted that the initial phase would cover 12 states, with aspirations to expand to 18 states.
Additionally, he underscored the necessity for enhanced funding for the Slump Upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme, which currently operates in multiple states, and requires at least N100 billion for optimal results.
The minister also addressed the pressing issue of liabilities, revealing that the ministry is burdened with over N92 billion in unpaid projects. He advocates for at least N60 billion in the 2025 budget proposal to alleviate this financial strain.
Senate Committee Chairman Aminu Tambuwal assured Dangiwa of their support, promising to work collaboratively with relevant authorities to address the ministry’s financial challenges.
As Nigeria strives to improve its housing infrastructure, the call for increased funding represents a critical step towards achieving sustainable development and economic growth.
