Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has expressed deep concern over the country’s worsening housing crisis, revealing that over 70% of Nigeria’s estimated 43 million housing stock fail to meet basic habitability standards.

Speaking at the Renewed Hope Housing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit in Abuja, Dangiwa highlighted critical infrastructure gaps, including inadequate access to piped water, sewage systems, and electricity, stressing the urgent need for intervention—not just to reduce the housing deficit, but also to enhance the quality of existing homes.

“Nigeria faces a dual challenge: a severe housing shortage and widespread substandard housing conditions. Estimates suggest the housing deficit ranges from 17 to 28 million units, but the lack of reliable data has hindered effective planning.”

To address this issue, he disclosed that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is collaborating with the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure the next national census provides accurate housing data. Additionally, the government has launched a National Housing Data Infrastructure Initiative, in partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to gather precise statistics on housing needs.

Until this initiative is completed, the Ministry will operate with an estimated housing shortfall of over 20 million units.

Bridging the Gap: The Path to 500,000 Homes Annually

Dangiwa stressed that to close the housing gap, Nigeria must construct at least 500,000 housing units annually for the next decade, a task that demands over ₦5 trillion ($6.25 billion) in annual investment. Recognizing the scale of the challenge, the government is leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) through the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme to drive large-scale housing development.

Already, the Ministry has partnered with a consortium of developers to deliver 100,000 housing units, with the first phase focusing on seven Renewed Hope Cities in key locations:
📍 Abuja
📍 Lagos
📍 Kano
📍 Maiduguri
📍 Enugu
📍 Port Harcourt
📍 Nasarawa

Currently, construction is underway on 6,612 units, including:

• 3,112 units in the Federal Capital Territory
• 2,000 units in Lagos
• 2,000 units in Kano

These housing units, ranging from apartments to bungalows, are primarily targeted at upper-middle to high-income earners.

Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Growth

Beyond direct government efforts, the Ministry has signed an agreement with Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) to build an initial 5,000 housing units, with plans for nationwide expansion.

The partnership aims to:
✅ Develop a Country Housing Deficit Reduction Strategy.
✅ Establish new PPP financing models to enhance housing affordability.

Dangiwa also underscored the need to upgrade substandard housing, citing alarming statistics:

• Only 3.3% of Nigerian households have access to piped water.
• Just 24% are connected to a sewage system.
• Only 51.7% enjoy reliable electricity.

To tackle these challenges, the Ministry is scaling up collaborations with international bodies like UN-Habitat and preparing to host Nigeria’s first National Urban Forum, focusing on urban renewal and slum rehabilitation strategies.

Regulatory Hurdles Slowing Progress

Despite these efforts, regulatory bottlenecks remain a significant barrier, particularly in the housing PPP sector.

Dangiwa identified the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) as a major roadblock, arguing that its current PPP guidelines—designed for large-scale infrastructure projects like roads and power plants—are not suited for housing projects, which require more flexible financing models and shorter development cycles.

To accelerate housing delivery, he called for the introduction of housing-specific PPP regulations to streamline:
🏡 Project financing
🏡 Land acquisition
🏡 Affordability frameworks

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Dangiwa described the Renewed Hope Housing Programme as a bold and transformative initiative designed to reshape Nigeria’s housing landscape.

While 6,112 units are currently being developed through PPPs, only 3,500 units are being built through direct government funding, underscoring the critical role of private sector investment in closing the housing gap.

“With the right partnerships, we can break the cycle of inaction and deliver tangible results. Housing is not just about shelter—it is infrastructure, a driver of economic growth, and a key component of social inclusion,” Dangiwa stated.

A Collective Responsibility: The Role of Stakeholders

Echoing this sentiment, Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, the summit’s convener, stressed that the responsibility of transforming Nigeria’s housing sector cannot rest solely on the government.

“We cannot rely entirely on the government to drive this growth. Instead, the government should focus on creating an enabling environment while we, as stakeholders, work together to build a thriving industry.”

He pointed to Kenya and Indonesia as examples of countries that have successfully tackled their housing challenges through strategic policies and partnerships.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to achieve similar success—provided that all key players—government agencies, private developers, financial institutions, and policymakers—commit to a unified vision.

Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Partnerships

The two-day summit, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, is focused on repositioning Nigeria’s housing sector through PPP-driven solutions.

With the country’s housing deficit exceeding 20 million units, experts agree that PPP frameworks will be instrumental in mobilizing private sector funding, leveraging government support, and ensuring efficient project execution.

As deliberations continue, industry players remain optimistic that a collaborative approach will lead to meaningful reforms, ultimately bringing Nigeria closer to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable housing sector.