- Housing Minister pushes for increased budgetary allocation
- Renewed Hope Cities project faces funding challenges
- Senate Committee pledges support for housing initiatives
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has called for increased funding for seven critical housing sector programs, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Housing Programme. He made the appeal during a budget defence session with the Senate Committee on Housing at the National Assembly on January 20, 2025.
Dangiwa noted that the ministry’s 2024 allocation of ₦162.6 billion was insufficient, while the 2025 capital budget ceiling of ₦83.75 billion is a significant reduction. He emphasized the transformative impact of the Renewed Hope Cities initiative, which aims to construct 50,000 housing units under its first phase. This effort could create over 1.25 million direct and indirect jobs while boosting local businesses.
To achieve these goals, ₦108 billion is required to cover projects in 18 states at ₦6 billion per state. Additionally, the Slum Upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme, covering 100 sites nationwide, requires a ₦100 billion allocation for effective results.
Dangiwa also highlighted the ministry’s liabilities of over ₦92 billion from completed but unpaid projects, requesting at least ₦60 billion in the 2025 budget to address these obligations.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, assured the minister of the committee’s support in engaging the finance ministry and budget office to resolve funding challenges.
