By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Federal Government is aiming to create over two million jobs across Nigeria through the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme an ambitious initiative designed to tackle the country’s housing deficit while generating economic opportunities for citizens.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during a briefing with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Dangiwa described the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme as a flagship initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, focused on delivering affordable housing for low-income earners, vulnerable populations, the unemployed, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). As part of the plan, 100 housing units will be built in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
According to the Minister, the programme is expected to generate over two million jobs by engaging an estimated 25 workers in 27 different roles per location, across 77,400 project sites nationwide.
He noted that funding for the initiative will be sourced from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund. However, he added that full implementation details would be shared with lawmakers once President Tinubu approves the official programme documents.
“Once the project commences, we intend to submit a bill to the National Assembly to establish a sustainable National Social Housing Fund,” Dangiwa said.
Providing an update on ongoing projects, the Minister revealed that the Ministry had carried over several housing initiatives from the previous fiscal year and the 2022 supplementary budget. These projects have been executed through the first two quarters of the year, pending the release of the 2025 national budget.
Dangiwa assured lawmakers that many of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates are nearing completion. “Once the necessary funds are released, the projects can be completed and ready for inauguration within two months,” he said.
He cited the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, as an example, noting it was nearly finished and initially slated for commissioning by the end of August. However, he acknowledged that delays in constructing access roads awarded by the Federal Capital Territory Ministry might push the timeline slightly.
Similar progress, he said, was being recorded in Renewed Hope City projects in Kano and Lagos, which are also nearing readiness for launch.
On housing subscriptions and project financing, Dangiwa reported that prospective homeowners had begun subscribing to units across various sites, and developers had started recovering investments.
To ensure sustained funding, he said the Ministry had written to the Accountant-General of the Federation to prioritise the housing sector in budgetary disbursements, stressing that “housing should be considered a priority sector.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting the Ministry. He assured Dangiwa of the lawmakers’ willingness to collaborate in delivering tangible results.
“Our doors are wide open to the Ministry,” Kofa said, pledging the committee’s support in addressing sectoral challenges and ensuring the success of government housing initiatives.
