The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has pledged the Ministry’s support for the Nigerian Union of Journalists FCT Council’s Journalists’ Village project in Abuja.
This assurance came during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the NUJ FCT Council, led by its Chairman, Grace Ike, to the Ministry’s headquarters.
Dangiwa lauded the media for its vital role in national development, noting that journalists serve as a bridge between the government and the people informing, enlightening, and holding the government accountable.
He expressed appreciation to the NUJ FCT Council for their consistent collaboration with the Ministry’s Media and Communications team in spotlighting policy actions and housing programmes, even in the face of limited resources.
The Minister highlighted key programmes under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which he described as a transformative initiative aimed at addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit while creating jobs.
He outlined the three main components of the programme: Renewed Hope Cities: 1,000 housing units in each of the six geopolitical zones and the FCT; Renewed Hope Estates: 250 units in each state capital; Renewed Hope Social Housing: 100 housing units in every local government area.
Dangiwa also disclosed that construction work has commenced for over 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the FCT.
Additionally, more than 150 slum upgrade and urban renewal projects have been completed nationwide, delivering infrastructure such as roads, solar streetlights, and clean water to communities in need.
He shared updates on structural reforms, including a collaboration with state governments and the World Bank to modernise land administration through the Nigeria Land Registration, Documentation, and Titling Programme, aimed at unlocking over $300 billion in dead capital to stimulate investment and productivity.
He further announced a partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank to finance 5,000 affordable housing units and efforts to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in each geopolitical zone to support local production and reduce construction costs.
Emphasizing the media’s role in national progress, Dangiwa appealed for sustained collaboration with the NUJ in enlightening the public, combating misinformation, and amplifying the Ministry’s programmes.
Addressing the request by the Union regarding the Journalists’ Village project, the Minister assured that the Ministry would assist the NUJ in acquiring land and facilitate construction through the Cooperative Housing Development Programme under the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).
He advised the Union to secure titled land and engage an architect for the housing design. “I will direct the Federal Mortgage Bank to establish a cooperative housing development for journalists,” he stated, adding that the Union would provide the off-takers who would be allocated homes with up to a 30-year payment plan at 6% interest.
Dangiwa also promised that the Ministry would inspect the NUJ FCT Council’s ongoing Pentagon building for potential further support.
Earlier, Grace Ike commended the Minister for his bold, strategic, and people-centred leadership in the housing sector, especially his global engagements, such as at the World Urban Forum, and his commitment to disability-friendly housing in line with national laws.
She appealed for the Ministry’s intervention in the Journalists’ Village project to help actualise affordable housing for journalists.
She also sought infrastructure support to complete the Pentagon building and construct a new ultramodern hall capable of accommodating over 2,000 journalists.
Additionally, Ike urged the Minister to ensure journalists are included in housing finance schemes through the FMBN and related platforms, and called for increased opportunities in capacity building for members of the profession.