The Federal Government has announced a major step to address Nigeria’s housing deficit with plans to provide 500 affordable housing units in each state of the federation.
This was disclosed by the Director of Urban Development in the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Akintola, during a working visit to Akure, Ondo State, alongside a team of federal officials.
According to Akintola, the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at ensuring accessible and sustainable housing for Nigerians.
He explained that the government is also setting up 1,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope City project in each of the six geopolitical zones, 100 units in all 774 local government areas, and additional economic housing projects in farm settlements across the country.
Akintola said the visit was designed to assess the level of housing shortages in Ondo State and develop strategies for inclusive housing development.
He noted, “This is part of the Federal Government initiative for a broader national programme aimed at generating accurate and up-to-date data on housing demand and supply gaps, housing quality and access to basic services which is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
He also introduced the lead consultant and field team responsible for engaging stakeholders and aligning the survey with existing housing initiatives in the state. Akintola urged the state government, particularly the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, to provide records and data that would aid the project’s success.
In his response, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sunday Olajide, welcomed the federal officials and expressed Ondo State’s readiness to support the programme. He said the initiative aligns with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s OUR EASE development agenda.
Olajide described the plan as a strong step toward bridging the housing gap, urging the team to work with stakeholders and raise public awareness about the survey’s benefits.
The lead consultant, Dr Osunsanmi Abolabo, explained that a 35-member team made up of housing experts, town planners, supervisors, and enumerators will conduct the survey.
He revealed that 5 percent of houses in Akure would be sampled to ensure comprehensive findings. Abolabo assured that the team would collaborate closely with the state ministry’s professionals to deliver accurate results.
Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluwagbenga Akingbasote, also pledged full cooperation. He affirmed the competence of the ministry’s staff to support the project and achieve its objectives.
This initiative, tied to affordable housing schemes and urban development, is expected to boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve access to safe housing across Nigeria. With both federal and state government collaboration, the project signals a new phase in tackling the nation’s long-standing housing challenges.