By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has commissioned the FHA Express View Estate Phase 1 and the new FHA Complex in Lugbe, Abuja.
The Express View Estate, which consists of 50 units of terraces and flats, is a partnership between FHA and BAM Properties.
Speaking at the commissioning of the two projects in Abuja, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, called for stronger partnerships and innovative funding approaches to address Nigeria’s housing deficit.
He said that the government alone cannot provide the scale of resources required.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, Dangiwa said the way forward lies in harnessing the collective strengths of public and private institutions.
“To change the story of housing in Nigeria, we need stronger partnerships between FHA, FMBN, developers, mortgage institutions, cooperatives, pension funds, and the private sector,” he said.
According to him, financing housing delivery at scale requires mobilising resources beyond government coffers, tapping into pension funds, mortgage financing, cooperative structures, and other innovative channels to reduce costs and make homes more affordable.
The Minister noted that housing remains central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a foundation for dignity, security, family life, and stronger communities.
He commended FHA’s Managing Director, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, and his team for the quality of delivery, and urged the Authority to deepen collaborations with other housing and financial institutions to unlock large-scale development.
Earlier, Ojo had disclosed that since assuming office 17 months ago, the management had prioritised land acquisition and project completion to accelerate housing delivery.
The FHA boss explained that the Authority has commenced construction of Renewed Hope Estates in 17 states under the first phase, having concluded procurement processes, while also adopting a phased completion model for inherited projects to deliver homes faster.
Ojo said the Express View Estate being commissioned consists of 50 units of terraces and flats in its first phase, with the entire project expected to add about 110 units to the national housing stock when completed.
The project, he noted, is a partnership between FHA and BAM Properties.
On the FHA Complex, he said the initiative was conceived to provide a more conducive working environment for staff and generate revenue.
The complex comprises modern office spaces and accommodates the FHA Mortgage Bank.
To enhance affordability, Ojo announced that future projects would adopt a semi-finished model where essential components such as plumbing, wiring, and prototype exteriors are provided, while allottees complete finishing to their taste.
Meanwhile, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Urban Development , Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, in his remarks said,
there is a need for government to inject more funds in house sector .
“ We have the capacity, human resources and the land are there. Money needs to be injected in an intelligent manner”.
“ To ensure that houses are built everywhere and the developers are on their toes building housing and people are applying for mortgage everywhere and certificates are been received by the occupants “.
Jibrin emphasized that one of the fundamental problems in Nigeria housing is “we have a situation where houses are chasing money. The narrative has to change let houses chase the money.
He applauded FHA for the milestone the authority have achieved from acquisition of land , regenerating estates and upgrading infrastructure among many other achievements.
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