The Federal Government has disclosed plans to create over two million jobs nationwide through its Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme, aimed at tackling Nigeria’s housing deficit while stimulating economic opportunities.

Naijaonpoint reports that this was made known by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during a working session with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Dangiwa described the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme as a flagship initiative under the Tinubu-led administration designed to provide affordable housing for low-income earners, unemployed citizens, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and vulnerable groups.

According to him, 100 housing units will be constructed in each of the 774 local government areas across the country.

He explained that the initiative would generate over two million jobs, further breaking it down as “25 persons per house, 27 jobs per location, in 77,400 locations.”

Dangiwa revealed that funding for the project would be sourced from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, and full details would be shared with lawmakers once the National Social Housing Programme documents are approved by President Bola Tinubu.

“After the project takes off, we are going to bring a bill to the National Assembly for the project to be sustainable so that we can have a National Social Housing Fund,” he told the committee.

Existing Projects Nearing Completion

Providing an update on ongoing projects, the Minister noted that the Ministry had continued several housing initiatives inherited from 2023 and the 2022 supplementary budget, implementing them throughout the first and second quarters of the year.

He assured lawmakers that many of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates were nearing completion and could be ready for commissioning within two months once funds were disbursed.

“Once monies are released, the projects will be completed and ready for inauguration within two months,” Dangiwa stated.

He also highlighted a recent inspection of the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, noting that while the project was originally scheduled for inauguration by the end of August, construction delays due to access roads being handled by the Federal Capital Territory Minister may affect the timeline.

In addition, Dangiwa cited progress in Kano and Lagos, where other Renewed Hope projects were also “gearing up for inauguration soon.”

The Minister further disclosed that subscription for housing units has commenced across various sites, with developers already beginning to recoup their investments.

He said the Ministry had written to the Accountant-General of the Federation urging the prioritisation of the housing sector in budget disbursements.

“Housing should be considered a priority sector,” Dangiwa said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, in his remarks, pledged the committee’s support for the Ministry’s efforts.

“The committee’s arms are wide open to the Ministry,” Kofa said, adding that lawmakers would work in harmony with the Ministry to ensure that “their efforts are visible and impactful to the country.”

He further assured the Minister that the committee would address any challenges affecting the success of the programme.

“All issues will be attended to,” Kofa added.