80% of Nigerians struggle to afford housing — Minister 

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, on Monday lamented that 80 percent of Nigerians cannot afford housing due to financial constraints.

This, Dangiwa noted, accounts for the major causes of the housing deficit in the country.

The minister stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

He noted that the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainability to the citizens is the issue of affordability.

He added that statistics had shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 200 million are poor and have weak purchasing power.

He said, “In fact, of the 43 million households, over 85% have less than N1.1m purchasing power. Of this, 40% (about 17.2 million households) fall into the poverty income group and 47% (about 20.2 million) fall into the low-income group.

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“On the whole, statistics reveal that Nigeria is a low-income country as it has only 13% of its population as middle class. The recent macroeconomic challenges, including inflation, have made things worse.”

Against this backdrop, the minister said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, was planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF).

He said under the NSHF, the Federal Government aimed to pull funds from the government budget, philanthropic organisations and well-meaning Nigerians towards providing decent shelter for Nigerians with no income, low income, and vulnerable brackets who cannot afford to own their homes.

“Some of these units will be delivered at no cost. We have developed the concept note that is undergoing review. Once concluded, we will present it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and legislation.

“Social housing is not only a necessity, it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor. Because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds, we must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged. It is for our collective good.

“In this way, the underprivileged will know that we are one; that we are our brother’s keeper and that will help social cohesion, understanding and peace. This is because home ownership gives individuals a sense of belonging and a stake in the community,” the minister said.

He also commended the Uba Sani-led government for its practical, inclusive, and pragmatic vision for housing delivery which led to the organisation of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition.

Earlier in his remarks, Sani, represented by his Deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, said the provision of affordable houses for citizens of the state was a key priority of his administration.

He said he is committed to addressing the housing deficit across the State in line with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said that the state government had adopted a holistic approach towards filling the identified gap through partnerships with local and international investors to address its housing deficit.

He said, “Qatar Charity in partnership with the Kaduna State Government is constructing Mass Housing for the Less Privileged and Kaduna Economic City, all in Millennium City, Kaduna. I recently performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout.

“This project is being executed through a public-private partnership. Nuru Suraj and Kaduna State Government are working together to develop 35,000 plots for our people.

“The Social Housing Scheme was introduced in order to provide affordable accommodation as a social service for the vulnerable populace (the low-income earners). Efficient design and construction methods, which are key indicators that drive the affordability target of the scheme, were employed.”

The governor also stated that his administration has attracted many investors (Real Estate Developers) and has partnered with them in the construction of mass housing estates across the state under PPP arrangement.

On his part, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Development and Property Company, Abubakar Rabiu-Abubakar, announced the launch of two social initiatives: ‘the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society,’ demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skill development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.

Rabiu-Abubakar also said KSDPC was set to embark on certain key housing and housing infrastructure projects including the Ultramodern Mechanics Village for the Eastern Sector of the Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, CNG Conversion Stations, EV Charger Manufacturing, and strategically located EV charging points, A 5-star Hospital with Doctor Quarters.

“A private university to be known as ABSAAR University, a Building Materials Village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, A Trucks and Heavy-Duty Mechanics Village, which are expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next 5 years.

“This exhibition is a testament to our efforts to transform aspirations into tangible results, ensuring that Kaduna State remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all its residents,” the KSDPC boss said.