The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has highlighted that the Federal Government, through its Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to tackling the challenges related to housing data in the country.
During the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the National Housing Data Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister emphasized the strong connection between a nation’s stability and peace and the effectiveness of its housing market.
He remarked, “Providing access to decent and affordable housing is not only a social and moral obligation of the government but also a vital driver of economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.”
Dangiwa pointed out that historical evidence and the experiences of other nations indicate that it is uncommon for a country to prosper, achieve peace, and maintain stability without a well-functioning housing market that offers adequate shelter to its citizens.
However, he recognized that Nigeria still has a long way to go in realizing the housing sector’s potential as a significant contributor to economic development. A major challenge in this sector, according to the Minister, is the absence of reliable, scientific, and verifiable data regarding the housing situation in Nigeria.
He described this issue as both urgent and troubling. “Without data, we cannot grasp the scale of the challenges we face, determine the necessary resource allocation, identify priority areas, or make informed decisions. Essentially, we would be operating in the dark, which is not a sustainable approach,” he stated.
The Minister announced that the government has declared a national emergency in the housing sector, making the resolution of Nigeria’s housing data issues a top priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dangiwa expressed his enthusiasm for the establishment of the Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data, which represents a strategic collaboration among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s housing market.
The Committee is tasked with creating and implementing a blueprint to ensure transparency and accessibility of housing data in Nigeria, which is crucial for informed policy-making and enhancing the well-being of Nigerians.
The Committee comprises representatives from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (Chair), the National Population Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Housing Authority, Family Homes Funds Limited, the Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria, the Housing Development Association of Nigeria, the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria, and the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria.
He noted that the Joint Committee (JC) will oversee all activities outlined in the Terms of Reference, including providing guidance and oversight, monitoring the implementation of the Committee’s commitments, resolving issues, and making recommendations to support the partners’ objectives. Additionally, it will serve as a platform for partners to share information, discuss best practices, and address other matters related to the strategic partnership.
The Minister also mentioned that the Joint Committee is tasked with establishing a Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of data experts and professionals responsible for conducting the detailed technical work necessary to achieve the Committee’s goals. This includes developing the blueprint for the National Housing Data Centre, which will encompass the technical and operational framework, financing, sustainable management, and more.
