Tag: Ahmed Musa Dangiwa

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has issued a bold call for state governments to dedicate between one and three per cent of their annual budgets to land administration and systematic land titling.

He stated that credible land governance is the country’s strongest lever for building a trillion-dollar economy.

Dangiwa made the call in a keynote address at the opening of the 30th Conference of Directors of Lands in the Federal and States Ministries,  Departments and Agencies.

“I strongly recommend and charge that Nigerian State Governments ring-fence between one and three per cent of their annual budgets for land administration and systematic titling during the reform and scaling phase” he stated

The theme for the 30th Conference is Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (NLTRDP): Implementation Mission

Dangiwa explained that International evidence shows very clearly that Ministries responsible for land administration around the world operate on about one percent of the total public budget.

He said “ based on these global benchmarks and our own national realities … a sustainable allocation of 0.5 to 1 percent will be sufficient to maintain digital registries, continue systematic documentation, and keep the cadastre up to date”

The minister further stated that, half of the allocation must go directly to real service delivery- systematic titling, digitisation, modern registries, surveys and dispute-resolution-not vehicles, furniture or overheads.

“If we spend on impact, not overheads, every State will unlock revenue, citizens will gain secure property rights, and land will become a true economic asset, not dead capital. And let me say this confidently: the success of the Land4Growth Programme is Nigeria’s surest bet to achieving the One Trillion Dollar Economy” he remarked

Accordingly,  Dangiwa stated that, land becomes bankable, when citizens can use it for credit, when investors trust the registry, and when States earn sustainable revenue from property markets, saying that ‘ we will unlock growth on a scale that can transform our national economy. That is how land becomes wealth, and how this sector can power Nigeria’s economic future.” he stated.

The Minister further disclosed that the last World Bank Doing Business ranking on Registering Property, Nigeria performed poorly due to excessive procedures, long timelines, and high costs, this he said, creates uncertainty for investors and unnecessary hardship for citizens

He noted the identical challenges across the states as; complex manual workflows, fragmented and outdated paper records, corruption risks, tenure insecurity for vulnerable groups, and very low revenue collection despite huge potential.

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He also told the participants that, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, land administration will be treated not as routine bureaucracy but as a strategic economic reform, adding that government had begun to translate the commitment into concrete action.

“I have directed the Director Lands to make sure every Director has a copy of the Concept Note and Framework. embrace it and properly guide your State Governments to adopt it and work with us at the Federal level to implement it” Dangiwa said

 “We are not yet where we want to be, but we are certainly not where we were last year. We are moving – and we are moving with purpose”.

We have within this period introduced the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (Land4Growth) to unlock an estimated $300 billion in dead capital, and are finalizing a partnership with the World Bank and state governments to register, document, and title land nationwide” he concluded

Earlier in his opening remark, the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of  Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shaiub Belgore stated that the annual Conference of Directors of Lands has served as a key platform for professional exchange over the years

He said “ As we mark the 30th edition, it is important that this gathering does not remain a yearly talk shop. The true value of this conference will not be measured in speeches, communiqués or photographs,  but in how the knowledge gained here is translated into practical reforms in your States”.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has reaffirmed federal government’s commitment to working closely with the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) to deliver affordable homes to millions of Nigerians. 

He described AHCN as a “critical partner” in driving nationwide housing delivery and pledged support for its landmark initiatives, including a proposed one million housing unit project across the country.

Receiving the newly elected AHCN leadership during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Dangiwa lauded the Association’s nearly six decades of contribution to public housing development.

He said its role as a coordinating platform for state housing corporations was central to achieving the ambitious goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for housing and urban development.

“Since its formation in 1964, AHCN has been a cornerstone of public housing delivery in Nigeria,” the Minister said.

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 “Today, we are pursuing the most ambitious housing programme in recent history, aimed at providing safe, decent, and affordable homes for millions of Nigerians. Our partnership with AHCN is key to unlocking serviced land, facilitating approvals, and ensuring that housing projects reach Nigerians in every state.”

Dangiwa welcomed AHCN’s plans to leverage Nigeria-China Bilateral Trade funding to deliver one million homes nationwide, describing the initiative as “bold, transformative, and perfectly aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for mass housing delivery.”

He also called for institutional renewal within AHCN, urging the leadership to embrace internal reforms, professionalism, and transparency to strengthen its effectiveness and credibility.

“To truly lead the charge in public housing development, AHCN must set a high bar for integrity, adopt modern governance structures, and operate with full transparency to build confidence among Nigerians, investors, and development partners,” he stated.

The Minister outlined three priority actions for AHCN namely reinforcing alignment among state housing corporations to eliminate fragmentation, improve efficiency, and ensure better coordination nationwide,

strengthening research and policy advocacy to provide reliable data and actionable proposals that will drive housing reforms at both state and federal levels and deepening partnerships with the private sector and development finance institutions to create bankable housing ventures capable of attracting large-scale investment.

Dangiwa also requested AHCN’s strong involvement in the upcoming State-by-State Renewed Hope Homeownership and Housing Development Campaign, which he described as “a practical, high-impact initiative that will take federal housing reforms to the grassroots, empower citizens with the knowledge and access to financing they need, and ensure that national programmes translate into real homeownership opportunities in every state.”

In his remarks, AHCN President and Chairman of Council, Eno I. Obongha, expressed the Association’s readiness to partner with the Ministry on the Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates Programme, aimed at delivering 100 housing units in each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas, and formally introduced Rev. Dr. Ugochukwu Chime as the newly elected Chairman of AHCN’s Board of Trustees.

He pledged his full support in ensuring that AHCN serves as a key partner to the Minister in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda for housing.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has explained that the initiative to establish building materials manufacturing hubs in the six geo-political zones by the Federal Government was intended to reduce the cost of building materials and significantly enhance Housing affordability in Nigeria.

The minister stated this  during the ministry’s organised engagement with stakeholders in the housing sector in Lagos

The theme for the stakeholders engagement was: ‘Development of Fiscal Incentives For Manufacturers  of Local Building Materials Components in  Nigeria’ 

Dangiwa emphasised that boosting local production and implementing strategic fiscal incentives would lower housing construction costs and improve accessibility to affordable housing.

“Fiscal incentives are among the most effective tools available to us. These include tax reductions for local manufacturers, custom duty waivers for importing machinery and raw materials, grants and subsidies to scale up production, access to affordable financing through low-interest loans, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to drive innovation and growth,” he stated.

He further disclosed that the building materials manufacturing hubs would be established in existing trade zones because they offer significant advantages such as tax incentives, reduced regulatory burdens, and market access.

In his opening statement, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development,  Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, revealed that the hubs will be strategically located in states such as Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, Gombe, and Delta, with each hub serving its respective zone, adding that the initiative would enhance production capabilities, vocational training, and innovation.

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To ensure the effective implementation and oversight of these hubs, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will establish a central oversight committee, chaired by the Honourable Minister, with representatives from states’ governments, universities, vocational institutions, and industry unions.

In a goodwill message, Vice Chairman , Senate Committee on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Senator Victor Umeh, assured that the National Assembly would support legislative and policy incentives to facilitate the smooth takeoff of these hubs.

He identified key areas requiring legislative backing, including tax relief, import duty waivers, subsidies for local manufacturers, access to low-interest financing, infrastructure support, and research and development.

Similarly, Chairman, House Committee on Regional Planning and Urban Development,  Abiante Awaji, urged stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable solutions that would benefit Nigerians. He wondered why we cannot have a local alternative to how we build instead of depending on cement making home ownership a mirage to many.

In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary,  Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, emphasized that the engagement was an opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on innovative solutions, incentives, and policies that would attract investment into the local building materials industry.

Dr. Belgore outlined key areas of focus for discussions to include; enhancing local production through policy and regulatory support, improving infrastructure and transportation networks, addressing energy costs, promoting sustainability, building capacity and skills, increasing access to financing, and optimizing the demand and supply of alternative building materials.

The Stakeholders’ Engagement provided a platform for robust discussions aimed at positioning Nigeria’s building materials industry for sustainable growth, job creation, and improved housing affordability.

•New mass housing projects underway

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government  to renovating, safeguarding and optimising the value of its assets nationwide while enforcing strict compliance with land administration laws.

The minister made this declaration during a Stakeholder – Citizens Engagement on Land Administration held at Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos at the weekend.

The stakeholder – citizen engagement to facilitate improved  Land Administration Service in Nigeria was the concluding part of his three-day working visit to Lagos.

Dangiwa in his remarks emphasised the resolve of the ministry under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restore order in federal land and asset management.

“In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the ministry is resolved to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the law regarding the control and administration of its assets to maintain order,” he stated

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The minister who, alongside his team, toured various Federal Government facilities, field offices, and housing projects in Lagos over the course of three days, expressed concern over the poor condition of federal assets and uncompleted housing projects, vowing to expedite their renovation, upgrade, and completion.

 “We have resolved to optimise these facilities and put them to good use so they can provide value to the government and Nigerians. Our aim is to fast-track the completion of housing projects to increase the stock of affordable housing for Nigerians in Lagos,” he noted.

The ministry also announced plans to transform its field offices into modern, functional workspaces to boost staff productivity and enhance operational efficiency in Lagos.

Addressing irregular developments along the Lagos shoreline where unauthorised land reclamation and construction have been rampant, Dangiwa reiterated the Federal Government’s authority over shoreline titles and warned developers who fail to comply with legal requirements of appropriate action.

“We have observed numerous haphazard developments along the shoreline, where people have reclaimed and built on land without proper clearance or authorisation. This is unacceptable,” the Minister said.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has assured  Zamfara State Governor of the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that its citizens have  access to affordable housing in the state.

Dangiwa gave this assurance when Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of the State visited him in Anuja

“At the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, we want to assure that we will provide all the support you require in your efforts to enhance decent, quality and affordable housing to your citizens,’ the minister stated.

 The minister acknowledged and appreciated Governor Dare for the 50 hectares of land provided for the Renewed Hope Estate at no cost to the ministry, saying that free land, will make the houses affordable to the citizens

Accordingly, Dangiwa also assured the Governor that Zamfara State would be on the priority list of the ministry to benefit from subsequent  building programmes of the ministry.

“Let us assure your Excellency that the ministry will ensure that Zamfara State is included in the next batch of the  states to benefit from the programe,” Dangiwa remarked.

On National Housing Programme, NHP, the Minister said “ I have also been informed that our officials are engaging with your team to which next week they are coming again regarding your interest in purchasing the unsold housing units under the National Housing Program in your state.”

He noted that though the  ministry had done a downward review of  the  prices of the houses as requested by the state government of Zamfara, he would look in to it as to see how it could be further reviewed downward, revealing the ministry was not making profits from sales of the houses.

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Dangiwa also affirmed that the cost expended on infrastructure on the houses have been written – off to ensure affordability, mentioning that the ministry was aware  that  Zamfara state government would further subsidised for its citizens after buying them to ensure affordability.

He added, “our aim is just to recover the cost of constructing these houses so we can build more for other Nigerians to benefit.”

Similarly, the minister who confirmed  that  Zamfara state  would benefit from the housing construction under PULAKU Initiative Housing Project  of  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at addressing the grievances and social exclusion of Fulani in the north west and to also address the cause of banditry in the nation, revealed that  the ground breaking for Zamfara state would  soon be done.

While acknowledging that Zamfara state government has also provided land for construction of houses for actualization of PULAKU Initiative in the state in addition to the land provided for  Renewed Hope Estate, the Minister  gave assurance that the  ministry will always collaborate with the state government. 

Speaking earlier, Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare, said  they were in the ministry to appeal to the minister for his  intervention to fast track the completion of the agreement between the ministry and Zamfara state on purchase of the NHP housing units in the state as it  would enable the state take over the structure.

Dare noted the Zamfara state being bedeviled with many challenges like insecurity, lack of infrastructure, housing care among others would need the intervention of the ministry to provide decent, quality and affordable houses for its citizen because tackling the challenges has taken a toll on the state’s finances.

He said, “I want to appeal that Zamfara state should always be considered as one of the first in any structured you are going to put in place bearing in mind some of the situations the state is facing.”