The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering 100,000 affordable housing units nationwide under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme through outright purchase, mortgage financing, and rent-to-own schemes targeted at low- and middle-income Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the 20th Africa International Housing Conference, which focused on “Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa.” He was represented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma.
The President revealed that work is progressing on 14 flagship housing projects across the country, with 10,112 housing units expected to be completed in the programme’s first phase.
Tinubu said the administration plans to replicate the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as part of its long-term strategy to expand access to affordable housing.
According to him, the housing initiative is not only addressing the country’s shelter deficit but also stimulating economic growth, creating thousands of jobs, and strengthening the construction value chain.
“We have accelerated the expansion of the National Housing Programme by completing inherited projects across the country while initiating new developments to meet growing demand.
“In line with our collaborative approach, completed estates have been handed over to state governments for allocation to deserving citizens, ensuring timely occupation and maximising social and economic impact,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that through strategic Public-Private Partnerships and innovative financing involving the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the Family Homes Fund, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company and private developers, government is expanding opportunities for affordable homeownership.
He highlighted key projects already making significant progress, including the 2,888-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja; the 2,084-unit development in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos; and the 2,207-unit project in Lambu, Kano.
Tinubu also announced that beneficiaries have begun taking possession of homes under the Renewed Hope Rent-to-Own Scheme, describing it as evidence of the administration’s commitment to translating policy into tangible benefits.
Beyond housing construction, he said the National Urban Renewal Programme is providing critical infrastructure—including roads, drainage systems, water supply, sanitation facilities, solar street lighting and environmental improvements—in underserved communities nationwide.
He added that government is implementing policies to promote climate-resilient urban development, slum upgrading and the creation of sustainable cities capable of accommodating Nigeria’s rapidly growing urban population.
To strengthen planning and policy implementation, Tinubu disclosed that government has commenced the National Housing Data Programme, which will establish Nigeria’s first integrated housing database to support evidence-based planning, mortgage development and investment decisions.
He further said the administration is digitising land administration through the National Digital Land Information System, expanding geospatial mapping and modernising land governance to improve transparency, reduce transaction costs and ease access to land for development.
The President also reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting local content in the housing sector through support for building materials manufacturing hubs and indigenous construction technologies aimed at reducing costs, conserving foreign exchange, creating jobs and boosting industrial growth.
Speaking at the conference, the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Shehu Usman Osidi, described the conference theme as timely and closely aligned with the bank’s mandate.
He said housing affordability remains one of Africa’s biggest development challenges, as rising land prices, increasing construction costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to affordable housing finance have placed homeownership beyond the reach of many low-income earners and informal sector workers.
“As rapid urbanisation continues to outpace housing supply, the affordability gap is widening, highlighting the urgent need for innovative financing models, enabling government policies and stronger public-private partnerships,” Osidi said.
He reiterated FMBN’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing finance through the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme, which offers long-term single-digit interest mortgages for land acquisition, home construction and renovation.
He added that the bank also provides Home Renovation Loans and Rent Assistance Loans to ease the financial burden on Nigerian workers.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), Barrister Festus Adebayo, stressed that affordable housing should not be the preserve of a privileged few.
“No single individual can solve Africa’s housing challenges alone. It is time to develop policies that will guarantee affordable housing for all across the continent,” he said.
