Mass housing projects have received a major boost after the Federal Government announced its readiness to allocate land to credible investors seeking to deliver affordable housing across Nigeria.
Mass housing projects remain central to the government’s strategy for reducing the country’s estimated 17 million-unit housing deficit. Officials say stronger partnerships with private investors will accelerate housing delivery and improve access to decent homes.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, disclosed the plan after receiving a delegation from a Chinese construction company that proposed a large-scale affordable housing partnership with the Federal Government.
The delegation, led by Chief Engineer Lewis Chima, presented a proposal aimed at developing thousands of affordable homes using modern construction technology.
Mass housing projects align with Renewed Hope Agenda
Darma said the proposal supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises affordable housing through public-private partnerships.
He explained that the ministry remains committed to creating an attractive environment for genuine investors.
According to him, the government will facilitate access to land while ensuring all statutory requirements receive full compliance.
“Our mandate is to ensure that more Nigerians have access to affordable and decent housing,” the minister said.
“We are ready and willing to provide land in Abuja, across the states and in local government areas, subject to due process.”
He described the investment proposal as encouraging because it complements the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and supports efforts to reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit.
The minister also stressed that partnerships with experienced developers would improve project delivery and increase housing supply nationwide.
Investors target 10,000 affordable homes
Chief Engineer Lewis Chima said his company selected Nigeria because of its growing housing demand and economic potential.
He noted that the country’s estimated housing deficit creates opportunities for large-scale investment.
According to him, the proposed development will complement existing government housing initiatives across the six geopolitical zones.
“The objective of this project is not merely to construct houses but to develop sustainable communities through modern industrialised construction technology,” Chima said.
He explained that the company intends to deploy Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing models to streamline project execution.
The integrated approach, he added, will combine project design, financing, construction and delivery under one framework.
Chima said the company plans to complete 10,000 housing units within 30 months.
He added that prefabricated construction technology would reduce costs, improve quality and shorten delivery timelines.
Mass housing projects expected to create jobs
The Chinese delegation said the proposed investment would generate employment opportunities across several sectors.
Chima explained that local workers would benefit from construction activities, logistics services and manufacturing operations linked to the housing programme.
He also said the partnership would promote technology transfer by introducing modern building methods to Nigeria’s construction industry.
According to him, the project would strengthen local capacity while improving efficiency across future housing developments.
He assured government officials that the company remains committed to building a long-term partnership with Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would support sustainable urban development and expand affordable housing nationwide.
Committee begins proposal review
Following the presentation, Darma directed the ministry to establish a technical committee.
The committee will review the proposal before making recommendations on the next stage of implementation.
Officials from relevant departments will examine the technical, financial and legal aspects of the project.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, also welcomed the proposal.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnerships that support affordable housing delivery.
Belgore said strategic investments remain essential to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
He added that collaboration with private developers would accelerate project delivery across the country.
Government expands affordable housing programme
Nigeria continues to battle a housing deficit estimated at about 17 million units.
The Federal Government says it is addressing the challenge through the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
The initiative includes Renewed Hope Cities, Renewed Hope Estates and Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates.
Officials say construction has already commenced on more than 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Major developments include the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, and a 2,000-unit project in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Another Renewed Hope City is under development in Kano, while several states are receiving 250-unit housing estates.
The ministry believes stronger public-private partnerships and increased private investment will accelerate delivery, reduce the housing deficit and expand access to affordable homes for millions of Nigerians.
