The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to address urbanization and housing issues within the country.
He spoke at the Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he detailed Nigeria’s comprehensive approach to tackling those challenges.
A statement issued by his media office over the weekend, a copy obtained by NewsNGR in Abuja, also quoted him as saying that the government is also investing in essential urban infrastructure, including road networks, water supply, and sanitation improvements.
The minister highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in enhancing access to housing finance and mitigating the housing deficit.
He said, “Nigeria is taking a multi-faceted approach to address urbanization and housing deficit. Firstly, we are implementing the National Housing Programme, which aims to provide affordable housing for low-income earners. We are also investing in urban infrastructure development, including roads, water supply, and sanitation.
“Furthermore, we are promoting public-private partnerships to increase access to housing finance and reduce the housing deficit. Additionally, we are strengthening our urban planning and management systems to ensure sustainable urban development.
“Specifically, our government has initiated several projects, including the National Housing Fund, which provides financing for housing development; the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, which provides mortgage financing for homeowners; the Urban Renewal Programme, which focuses on upgrading slums and informal settlements; the Smart City Initiative, which aims to create sustainable and livable cities.
“We are committed to addressing the housing deficit and ensuring that our cities are well-planned, sustainable, and inclusive. We believe that housing is a fundamental human right, and we will continue to work towards making it a reality for all Nigerians”.