The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has announced plans to secure funds from the removal of fuel subsidies and profits from the windfall tax to finance housing projects for those without income, low-income earners, the homeless, vulnerable, and underprivileged in society.

Dangiwa disclosed this during a recent courtesy visit by Andrew Osemedua Edum, the President and Chairman of the Committee on Construction Projects and Infrastructure of the Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law, at the minister's office in Abuja. "Plans are underway for the National Social Housing Funds to mobilize, administer, and allocate affordable, decent, and accessible houses for those without income, low-income earners, the homeless, vulnerable, and underprivileged in society. The funds will be sourced from the removal of fuel subsidies," Dangiwa stated.

The minister emphasized that his administration is committed to initiating significant housing reforms to increase access to affordable housing for all Nigerians, regardless of income level. He highlighted that the ministry has established four housing sector reform task teams focused on housing institutions, land reform, and the development of a building materials manufacturing hub. Reports from these task teams will soon be implemented to drive progress in the housing sector.

Dangiwa noted that 80 percent of Nigerians are low-income earners, underscoring the importance of these reforms in achieving the ministry's goal of expanding the availability of affordable housing. "To make a sustainable impact, all key players in the housing value chain must be reformed, work efficiently, and fulfill their mandates," he stressed. "It’s not enough to build houses; we need a system that works effectively and delivers practical, maximal results."

The minister also announced the introduction of a checklist to monitor and address building collapses in Nigeria. Earlier, Andrew Osemedua Edum, SAN, expressed the NBA-SBL Committee's interest in collaborating with the ministry. He invited the minister to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming second national conference on construction projects and infrastructure, scheduled for November 27–30, 2024, in Abuja. The theme of the conference is "Making Construction Projects and Infrastructure Better in Nigeria."

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