FG eyes 2m jobs through social housing programme

The Federal Government has unveiled ambitious plans to generate over two million jobs across Nigeria through its Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the nation’s growing housing deficit while simultaneously creating economic opportunities for citizens.

The disclosure was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during a working session with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Dangiwa explained that the programme is a flagship project under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, designed to provide affordable housing for low-income earners, vulnerable populations, unemployed individuals, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“100 housing units will be constructed in each of the 774 local government areas across the country,” he stated.

According to him, the housing initiative is projected to generate over two million jobs, broken down into “25 persons per job, 27 jobs per location, in 77,400 locations.”

Funding and Legislative Backing

The Minister revealed that the project will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund. However, full implementation details will be presented to lawmakers once the programme documentation is approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“After the project take-off, we are going to bring a bill to the National Assembly for the project to be sustainable so that we can have a National Social Housing Fund,” Dangiwa said.

Status of Ongoing Projects and 2025 Budget Context

While addressing the committee, Dangiwa noted that the Ministry had carried forward several housing initiatives from the previous year and from the 2022 supplementary budget. These projects, he said, are being implemented through the first and second quarters of the year, pending the final review and release of the 2025 budget by the Budget Office of the Federation.

He assured lawmakers that many of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates are at advanced stages of completion.

“Once monies are released, the projects will be completed and ready for inauguration within two months,” he added.

Dangiwa referenced a recent inspection tour to the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, where he was joined by developers and financiers. The project, initially scheduled for inauguration by the end of August, is nearing completion. However, the construction of access roads, which falls under the purview of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, may cause slight delays.

Projects in Kano and Lagos Nearing Completion

The Minister also cited significant progress in Renewed Hope projects located in Kano and Lagos States, which he said are also gearing up for inauguration soon.

Housing Subscription and Financing Update

Dangiwa disclosed that house subscriptions had commenced across all project sites, with developers beginning to recover their investments.

“The Ministry has written to the Accountant-General of the Federation to prioritise the housing sector in future disbursement of funds,” he said, emphasizing that housing should be treated as a priority sector.

Lawmakers Pledge Support

In his response, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, pledged full legislative support to the Ministry in delivering on the ambitious housing targets.

“The committee’s arms are wide open to the Ministry,” Jibrin said, stressing that the lawmakers would “work harmoniously to ensure that their efforts are visible and impactful to the country.”

He also assured the Minister that the Committee would take proactive steps to address all challenges affecting the housing sector.

“All issues will be attended to,” he added.