… Seven Landmark Achievements unveiled

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has celebrated Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa’s one-year anniversary as Minister of Housing and Urban Development by highlighting his accomplishments and motivating him to go above and beyond.

According to HDAN, Arc. Dangiwa has addressed Nigeria’s pressing housing issues in a proactive and cooperative manner since taking office. In closing the housing gap and bringing President Tinubu’s vision of revitalizing the country’s housing sector to fruition, he has made significant strides.

Early in his term, Arc. Dangiwa made a crucial decision that would impact the rest of his career: he chose to support housing professionals and experts, acknowledging the severity of the housing scarcity without getting into patronizing arguments. He has been able to cooperate with significant industry players and create a unified front in the struggle to provide affordable and easily accessible housing for all Nigerians because of his willingness to work with others.
A relationship of mutual respect and common goals has been fostered by the tenacious Housing Minister, according to HDAN, which has continuously supported Arc. Dangiwa’s efforts by providing recommendations and feedback to guide the Ministry’s initiatives. According to the group, he has shown a dedication to implementing President Tinubu’s revived hope cities and estates program during the last year.

Because of his well-known warmth and personability, Arc. Dangiwa has gained the respect of both colleagues and stakeholders. He enjoys a cordial working relationship characterized by mutual respect and dedication to the cause with the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alh. Abdullahi Tijanni Gwarzo. The Ministry’s agenda has advanced and the goals set forth in the Renewed Hope Agenda are consistently being met thanks in large part to this collaboration.

It is mostly his responsiveness that makes Arc. Dangiwa’s leadership remarkable. When many leaders these days are often distant and unapproachable, Arc. Dangiwa stands out for his willingness to engage and listen. Through direct communication and timely responses to inquiries, he has proven to be a Minister who listens before speaking and ensures that he is always informed and ready to act on the issues at hand.

Not to mention, international organizations like Shelter Afrique and IFC Edge have given Arc. Dangiwa’s work favorable coverage. The impact of his leadership on Nigeria’s housing sector is further highlighted by these endorsements from international organizations, which also emphasize the significance of ongoing cooperation and support from both domestic and international partners.

Now is not the moment for any group to criticize the Housing Minister. Rather, now is the moment to acknowledge and encourage the noteworthy advancements made during his leadership. Arc. Dangiwa has demonstrated himself to be a proactive leader who genuinely cares about Nigeria’s housing projects succeeding. He has proven to be a useful ally in the battle to close the housing deficit because of his ability to hear criticism and act upon it. His efforts should be commended rather than criticized.

1. Foundation for Sustainable Housing Reforms
One of the most notable achievements is the establishment of a solid foundation for sustainable housing sector reforms. In January, four task teams were inaugurated to focus on critical areas such as strengthening federal housing institutions, streamlining land administration, fostering multi-agency collaboration, and setting up building materials manufacturing hubs across the six geopolitical zones. Despite various challenges, these teams have worked tirelessly, producing detailed reports that will guide the ministry’s efforts in its second year.

2. Increasing Affordable Housing Stock
The ministry has made substantial progress in increasing the stock of affordable and decent housing for Nigerians. The groundbreaking of 6,612 housing units across 13 locations under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme is a testament to this. This initiative includes the development of 3,112 housing units in Karsana, Abuja, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Once completed, these homes will be available through various affordable ownership options, including single-digit mortgages, rent-to-own schemes, and outright purchases, ensuring accessibility to a broad range of income earners.

3. Expansion of Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme
The ministry has expanded its Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, with projects ongoing at 26 sites nationwide. These projects focus on providing essential services such as water supply, solar streetlights, road rehabilitation, and waste management, significantly improving living conditions in underserved areas.

4. Fast-Tracking the Sale and Occupation of National Housing Programme Units
Efforts to accelerate the sale and occupation of housing units under the National Housing Programme have yielded impressive results. The ministry received 8,925 expressions of interest across various payment options, with the first batch of provisional allocation letters already issued to successful applicants.

5. Progress towards Establishing a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF)
Significant strides have been made towards establishing the National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) to ensure that all Nigerians, including low and no-income groups, have access to decent accommodation. Extensive work has been done on developing the framework for this initiative, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

6. Advancements in Land Reform and Titling
The ministry is also making headway in land reform, exploring partnerships with the World Bank to implement a National Land Titling Programme. This initiative aims to increase land formalization in Nigeria from less than 10% to 50% over the next decade, contributing to a more efficient and accessible land registration system.

7. Inauguration of the National Housing Data Steering Committee
To address the long-standing issue of inconsistent housing deficit figures, the ministry inaugurated the Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data. This committee is tasked with developing a blueprint for transparent and accessible housing data, critical for informed policymaking and strategic planning. The establishment of a National Housing Data Center is expected within six months.