Following the removal of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy (NAFPA) has urged the incoming minister, Muttaqha Darma, to retain and complete ongoing projects, with a stronger focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing.
The group also advised the minister to reframe and strengthen existing initiatives, while redefining strategies to achieve better results. In addition, NAFPA Founding Director, Mr Nathaniel Atebije, urged him to prioritise the provision of infrastructure in housing estates currently under development, noting that housing cannot exist without adequate infrastructure.
The foundation further advised the minister to review projects located in inappropriate areas, such as floodplains and inaccessible locations across some states of the federation, as well as projects that have bypassed statutory planning approval processes.
Atebije told The Guardian that the minister’s performance should not be measured solely by the number of housing units announced or constructed, but by the orderliness, liveability, and sustainability of the environments created through effective physical planning.
According to him, housing developments should be conceived as integral parts of broader urban plans and implemented by registered town planners. “If planning leads, housing will succeed; if planning is ignored, housing will fail, regardless of the numbers. Urban planning must therefore be given its rightful place in delivering the ministry’s mandate,” he said.
He also urged the minister to prioritise the preparation and implementation of the National Physical Development Plan and Regional Development Plans under the coordination of the National Urban and Regional Planning Commission, as provided by law. “Without spatial coherence, housing developments risk becoming isolated estates that strain infrastructure,” he added.
Atebije further called on the minister to focus on providing serviced land with clear titles, strengthening access to mortgage financing, delivering critical infrastructure, and promoting affordable housing models that utilise local building materials. “This approach will reduce costs and accelerate delivery, rather than relying heavily on direct government construction of housing,” he said.
MEANWHILE, the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has also urged Darma to prioritise sustainable housing delivery and improved urban development across the country.
AHCN President, Mr Eno Obongha, and Executive Secretary, Mr Toye Eniola, noted that the housing sector remains critical to economic growth, job creation, and social stability. The association expressed confidence that the new minister would build on the reforms and policy direction established by his predecessor.
“We encourage the new Minister to sustain and deepen ongoing initiatives, particularly in affordable housing delivery, mortgage accessibility, urban renewal, and private sector collaboration,” the statement read.
According to AHCN, continuity in policy implementation is essential to maintaining investor confidence and achieving measurable progress in reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit.
The association also urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, private developers, financial institutions, and professional bodies, to support the new minister in accelerating progress in the housing and urban development sector.
AHCN paid tribute to Dangiwa, noting that his tenure strengthened leadership within the housing sector and significantly advanced the Renewed Hope Housing Programme of the current administration. It added that the period witnessed significant reforms and renewed momentum toward addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit and repositioning the ministry for greater impact.
Initiatives highlighted were the revitalisation of the National Housing Programme and acceleration of housing projects nationwide, strengthening of public-private partnership frameworks to attract private investment into affordable housing and advancement of urban renewal, as well as slum upgrading initiatives in key cities.
The association also cited reforms at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) aimed at improving access to housing finance for low- and middle-income earners, as well as the promotion of cooperative housing schemes and expansion of National Housing Fund (NHF) participation.
Other efforts included increased transparency in land allocation and housing project implementation, a drive toward standardisation and cost reduction in mass housing construction, land reform standardisation, and the creation of a National Housing Database.
The association assured the new minister of its support and collaboration in advancing the national housing agenda.
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