ABUJA — The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced that a comprehensive strategic roadmap designed to revolutionize home ownership in Nigeria will be unveiled before the end of May 2026. This blueprint aims to tackle the nation's housing deficit by scaling up delivery through robust Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and innovative financing models.

The PPP Strategy: Driving National Home Ownership

Speaking on Tuesday at the second edition of the Renewed Hope Housing Public-Private Partnership Summit in Abuja, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, emphasized that the ministry is shifting toward a more execution-driven framework. The upcoming roadmap is the result of extensive consultations across federal agencies and is designed to provide a clear path for sustainable housing development.

"Whatever plan we come up with, we will pursue diligently to ensure that it delivers meaningful results for Nigerians," Darma stated. He noted that the ministry's goal is to move beyond policy discussions into the physical delivery of "roofs over the heads" of thousands of Nigerian families.

60,000 Nigerians to be Housed in Three Months

In a bold commitment to transparency, Minister Darma revealed that over 15,000 housing units are reportedly nearing completion or are already available for occupation. Based on an average Nigerian family size of four, the Minister calculated that these units would provide immediate shelter for more than 60,000 individuals.

However, the Minister issued a stern warning against "paper projects." He announced that starting next week, he will lead a nationwide verification tour to physically inspect these sites. "I’ll move from place to place and make sure that these 15,000 houses are there and not just on paper. We are going to be practical as much as we can," he declared. Locations targeted for immediate commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu include major projects in Ibeju-Lekki (Lagos), Lambu (Kano), and Karsana (Abuja).

Focus on Welfare and Economic Growth

The housing drive is not limited to the general public. In collaboration with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, the ministry is currently delivering 1,550 housing units specifically for military personnel. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve the living conditions of the Armed Forces.

Beyond providing shelter, the Minister highlighted the economic ripple effects of these construction projects. The ongoing works have stimulated local economies and created thousands of jobs for:

  • Artisans and Labourers

  • Civil Engineers and Architects

  • Contractors and Material Suppliers

A Call to Financial Institutions and States

To ensure the success of the roadmap, Darma urged financial institutions to create more flexible mortgage products that reflect the economic realities of average Nigerians. He also called on state governments to facilitate the process by providing land and creating enabling environments for private developers.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Shuaib Belgore, echoed these sentiments, noting that the summit’s theme, "From Policy to Projects," was chosen to specifically address challenges such as land access and the mobilization of bankable finance. With the roadmap set for release in a few weeks, the government appears poised to make its most significant push yet toward making the dream of home ownership a reality for the masses.