FG says over 75% of Nigeria’s 42 million housing units are substandard 

He added that nearly half of the population resides in informal settlements, highlighting the severity of the housing crisis.

Dangiwa made this disclosure while speaking on the sidelines of the 2nd Session of the 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, as contained in a statement on the ministry’s website on Friday.

“Arc. Dangiwa underscored the critical state of housing in Nigeria, noting that over 75% of the country’s 42 million housing units are substandard, with nearly half of the population living in informal settlements,” the statement read in part.

The Housing Minister further highlighted the federal government’s efforts to tackle substandard housing and informal settlements through the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme (NURSUP).

He revealed that the initiative has successfully completed projects at 54 sites across the country, with 56 additional projects currently in progress. These efforts focus on improving essential infrastructure, such as water supply, solar-powered streetlights, access roads, drainage systems, and waste management solutions.

Dangiwa also stressed the importance of robust partnerships with international organizations like UN-Habitat to expand these initiatives and ensure long-term sustainable urban development.

In addition to the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, which addresses substandard housing and informal settlements, the Federal Government has launched several initiatives to tackle Nigeria’s housing shortage.

One of the key initiatives is the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Programme, which aims to deliver 50,000 housing units in its first phase, with projects across all geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as estates in the remaining 30 states.

The Senate Committee on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development has already endorsed the Minister’s request for this crucial funding to support the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme.