The Executive Director of HipCity Innovation Centre, Bassey Bassey, has urged the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, to establish a Youth Advisory Board to ensure young people’s participation in policymaking on housing and urban development.
Bassey made this appeal during a meeting with the minister at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
He emphasized that incorporating youth perspectives would help shape national strategies with innovative ideas that reflect their priorities.
The HipCity delegation included representatives from the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners-Young Planners Forum and the Advocacy for Women With Disability Development Initiative (AWWDI).
HipCity, a research and advocacy group, focuses on youth and community resilience, democratic participation, and sustainable urban development.
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The organization is also a member of the World Urban Campaign (UN-Habitat affiliate) and Making Cities Resilient MCR2030.
During the meeting, Bassey commended the minister’s leadership as Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, particularly in shaping the 2026-2029 zero draft strategic plan addressing housing, land issues, basic services, and informal settlement transformation.
Referencing the existence of a Youth Advisory Board at the UN-Habitat level, Bassey stressed the urgency of establishing a similar body at the national level.
He noted that forming the board swiftly would position Nigerian youth to contribute to global discussions and take local action when the UN-Habitat strategic plan launches in 2026.
Additionally, Bassey called for urgent measures to curb rising rent costs in major cities and advocated for affordable housing schemes targeting youth and vulnerable groups.
Dangiwa underscored the relevance of innovation and collaboration in addressing the challenges of urbanisation.
The minister expressed readiness of the ministry to partner with HipCity Innovation Centre in order to harness the talents and ideas of youths, which would contribute to the creation of resilient cities and urban centers that are equitable and prosperous for all.
While recognising the youths as the largest demographic and the drivers of change in Nigeria, the minister commended their commitment to sustainable urban and housing development in Nigeria, pointing out the significance of their energy, creativity, and passion to the shaping of cities and communities.
He commended the initiative of the delegation to form a Youth Advisory Board for Housing and Urban Development, saying that it aligns perfectly with the ministry’s vision of inclusive and participatory governance, where every citizen has a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
Dangiwa said: “The 2024 World Cities Day event and the World Urban Forum in Cairo were important moments for us as a Ministry. They reinforced the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the challenges of urbanisation.”
Stating the opportunities and challenges presented by the growth of Nigeria’s cities, the minister acknowledged that the young people as the dominant population of city dwellers have a unique perspective on the issues affecting urban areas, from housing affordability to transportation, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
Dangiwa assured of his commitment as the Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, to inclusive urbanisation, as well as the ministry’s openness to the idea of a Youth Advisory Board.
In response to the delegation request to affordable housing schemes targeted at youth, the minister made a commitment that the Ministry will provide land for a pilot project in Abuja and urged the team to also engage the FCT Minister who is the custodian of land in the FCT for land allocation while pledging his support to facilitate funding with other sister agencies such as the Federal Mortgage Bank to finance the project.
“We will work with you to holistically review the concept that you have proposed, make necessary inputs so that it is transparent, inclusive and sustainable,” he said.