Social Housing Scheme To Create Over Two Million Jobs—FG

The federal government is set to generate over two million jobs through its Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has disclosed.

Speaking during an engagement with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Dangiwa explained that the massive employment drive is part of the administration’s plan to boost local economies and empower low-income Nigerians through affordable housing.

According to the minister, the housing initiative, designed for low-income earners, the unemployed, vulnerable groups, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), will see the construction of 100 housing units in each of the 774 local government areas across the country.

“Over two million jobs will be created under this programme. That’s at 25 persons per job, 27 jobs per location, across 77,400 locations,” Dangiwa stated.

He noted that the project will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, adding that the full implementation will commence following the approval of the National Social Housing Programme (NSHP) documents by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dangiwa added that the ministry plans to submit a bill to the National Assembly to institutionalise the project through the establishment of a National Social Housing Fund, ensuring sustainability beyond the current administration.

The minister said many of the initiatives from the 2022 supplementary budget and the previous year were being implemented in the current fiscal quarters, pending a review of the 2025 budget by the Budget Office of the Federation.

He noted that several Renewed Hope Cities and Estate projects are nearing completion and would be ready for commissioning within two months of fund release. Dangiwa cited the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, as a model.

Dangiwa said it would have been completed by August, but for delays due to ongoing access road construction by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

He also reported significant progress at housing sites in Kano and Lagos states, which he said are close to being commissioned.

On subscription for the new housing units, Dangiwa informed lawmakers that buyers have begun subscribing to the houses and developers are already recovering their investments.

He also revealed that the ministry has written to the Accountant-General of the Federation to prioritise funding for the housing sector to avoid delays in project delivery.

Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, in response, reaffirmed the committee’s readiness to support the ministry and ensure that the Renewed Hope housing efforts are visible and impactful across Nigeria.

“We will work hand-in-hand with you to ensure all issues are resolved and that this programme becomes a lasting legacy,” he assured.