Tag: Housing Development Advocacy Network

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), organisers of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), has called for renewed vigour in addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges, urging government and stakeholders to build on the foundations laid by pioneers of the sector.

HDAN’s Executive Director, Festus Adebayo, in a conversation with The Nation, paid tribute to eminent figures such as the late Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Chief Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi, Fortune Ebie and others whose work established the backbone of the country’s housing industry. He noted that institutions such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) were products of their foresight.

While commending current initiatives, Adebayo urged President Bola Tinubu to remain committed to his housing and urban development reform agenda.

 He warned that challenges such as inflation, the soaring cost of building materials, limited land access and outdated legislation remain major obstacles to the delivery of affordable homes.

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His comments come at a time when the Tinubu administration has rolled out bold measures under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, spearheaded by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa. The programme targets 50,000 new homes nationwide, with projects ranging from Renewed Hope Cities and Estates to Social Housing schemes designed to serve all income levels.

So far, over 10,000 units are under construction across 14 states and the FCT. Notable projects include 3,112 units in Karsana, Abuja, 2,000 units in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, and 1,500 units in Kano, alongside 250-unit estates in states such as Katsina, Gombe, Yobe and Osun. In northern states, these efforts have created over 152,000 jobs, while more than 150 informal communities have been upgraded with basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage, water supply and solar lighting.

The ministry has also digitised key operations, including the introduction of an electronic Certificate of Occupancy to fast-track land titling and reduce bureaucracy. Similarly, a National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP) has been launched through a partnership with Polaris Capital to train and certify 100,000 artisans in construction trades, improve workforce capacity and strengthen local supply chains.

Nigeria’s housing finance institutions have recorded notable progress. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria has doubled its impact in mortgage lending, approving ₦71.5 billion in 2024 compared to ₦39.7 billion the previous year. For the first time in three decades, the bank also posted an operational surplus of ₦11.58 billion, while recovering ₦10.9 billion in non-performing loans. It further introduced a ₦100 billion Off-taker Guarantee Scheme to support the Renewed Hope projects and mobilise over ₦40 billion in private capital.

The FHA has embarked on a wide-ranging digitalisation drive to secure property records, eliminate fraud and accelerate services. It has also intensified land acquisition using drone technology, completed abandoned projects in Ibadan and Abuja, and grown its land bank to boost internally generated revenue.

Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) is complementing these efforts with new affordable housing projects in states including Delta, Kano, Kaduna and Ogun. At the same time, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) has expanded liquidity in the housing finance market, while pushing for the adoption of the Model Mortgage and Foreclosure Law across states to make home loans more accessible.

The Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) has also entered the fray with the launch of a ₦250 billion Real Estate Investment Fund designed to streamline mortgage processes and expand affordable housing access through partnerships with FMBN, NMRC and FHFL.

Despite this progress, Adebayo cautioned that Nigeria’s housing sector still faces formidable challenges. He stressed that corruption, weak implementation of policies and the absence of strong political will remain the greatest threats. He urged the legislature to enact the right reforms and for government to introduce incentives and subsidies that would ease access to homes, especially for low-income earners.

“With inflation soaring and rents rising daily, it is time to demonstrate political will. “If urgent measures are not taken, as has been successfully done in countries like Morocco, Nigeria may be sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” Adebayo said.

He appealed to stakeholders to place national interest above personal or political considerations, insisting that only accountability and sustained reform will make the dream of affordable, dignified housing for all Nigerians a reality.

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently in the area of social housing.

While the government has announced plans for renewed hope of housing – cities and estates projects, HDAN warned that these efforts may not adequately address the needs of those who are most affected by the housing shortage.

HDAN, which noted that several factors have also contributed to the housing affordability crisis in the country, listed these to include inflation, high cost of building materials, poor exchange rates and high interest rates.

Executive Director, Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Festus Adebayo, said Tinubu has an opportunity to make a significant impact by addressing the housing affordability crisis head-on.

According to him, around the world, provisions are made for the poor and Nigeria should be no different.

“We need subsidies, tax rebates, and infrastructure support to make housing more affordable for all Nigerians,” Adebayo said.

HDAN’s call has been echoed by other stakeholders and members of the advocacy group, who emphasise that the housing crisis should be a top priority for the government. They argued that addressing this issue is not just about providing shelter, but about ensuring the overall well-being and stability of the nation. They are convinced that the housing affordability crisis should be at the forefront of political discourse.

“While issues like the economy, education, and healthcare dominate the headlines, the reality is that housing is the largest single expense for most households. Rising costs have put the nation in a precarious situation, and without urgent action, the crisis could have far-reaching consequences.

“Politicians need to understand that housing is not just another issue—it is the issue. The affordability crisis affects every aspect of life, from economic mobility to social stability. It’s time for our leaders to take bold steps to ensure that every Nigerian has access to affordable, quality housing,” the stakeholders echoed.

Although Adebayo contended that the housing affordability crisis in Nigeria is a complex issue with no easy solutions, he however said that with the right policies, including government intervention in the form of subsidies, tax rebates and support for infrastructure development, there is hope that the situation can be improved.

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One of the key solutions to the housing crisis, according to HDAN, is the introduction of housing subsidies. However, the group said there appears to be no immediate plan from the government to implement such measures. If the current trends continue, HDAN warns, up to 70 percent of workers’ income could be spent solely on food, leaving little to cover other essential expenses such as rent and children’s school fees.

“The absence of housing subsidies is a glaring gap in the government’s approach to this crisis,” said Adebayo. “Without intervention, the situation will only worsen, putting even more strain on Nigerian families,” he said.