@ Katsina Times 

Abuja, August 26, 2023: Stakeholders in the housing sector have hailed the appointment of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, assuring that the ywill collaborate to move the sector forward.

 The stakeholders spoke at a dinner put together by Friends of Dangiwa and Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) at the Continental Hotels, to welcome the Minister and the Minister of State, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo last Thursday,  24th, August. 

The event brought together participants from the housing, real estate, and mortgage finance sectors, industry professional bodies, the capital market, as well as associates of the new minister who outlined their expectations for the sector.

Bar Festus Adebayo, the Executive Director of HDAN said the gathering of key stakeholders was to congratulate the ministers as well as  galvanize the industry support and collaboration on the new direction the sector needs to take.

"It is a new dawn in the Nigerian housing industry, and I can assure you that Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa will write his name in gold…I urge all professional bodies in Nigeria to support Arc. Dangiwa. I call upon town planners, estate surveyors, and all other bodies. Let's not perceive him as an architect who cannot be supported. Dangiwa belongs to all of us, and we should support him for the advancement of our sector," Adebayo stated.

Adebayo also lamented the prevalence of quackery, insufficient regulation, and absence of consumer protection in the sector. He called upon the new ministers to initiate reforms that would safeguard the interests of the majority of Nigerians at all times.

The President of the Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), Ebilate Mac-Yoroki, expressed confidence in the new minister's capacity and experience, which he said have prepared him to achieve success in his new role. "We believe you were prepared for a time like this. You will succeed because we're here to support you. The leading mortgage bankers are all present in this hall, and we're here to play our role," he affirmed.

Mr. Yoroki emphasized the significance of increased funding for the sector at this juncture, suggesting for the establishment of a housing fund of at least N1 trillion. He urged the new minister to engage funding partners and explore the capital market to stimulate economic activity. 

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of MBAN, Kayode Omotoso, described Arc. Dangiwa as "a square peg in a square hole, a round peg in a round hole…well-fitted and equipped for the task."

On.his part the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran  applauded the foresight of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in appointing Arc. Dangiwa.

 "I'm delighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has entrusted us with an expert to address the housing challenges in Nigeria" he stated. 

He applauded  the ministre's efforts to reach out to stakeholders,  pointing out that his meeting with the National Population Commission to ascertain the exact housing situation figure in Nigeria was a clear demonstration  of his determination to bring solutions  to  challenges confronting the sector  

"The figure that has been cited for years - a 17 million housing deficit - its source is untraceable. You have pledged to obtain an accurate figure for Nigeria, enabling us to plan effectively for the housing issue in Nigeria. This commitment has won my admiration because anyone who values data is ready to work," Adeniran enthused.

Responding, the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Dangiwa, acknowledged the sector's challenges, asserting that such challenges present opportunities for progress. 

"With rapid population growth, the demand for housing in our nation is ever-increasing, and it is our duty to rise to the occasion and address these needs proactively. I am convinced that the ministry's responsibility is to create a conducive environment that fosters private sector investment and formulate policies that empower agencies under its oversight to fulfill their roles optimally," he affirmed.

The minister assured improved consultation and collaboration with industry stakeholders and experts. He added that the ministry would collaborate with the National Assembly to enhance laws governing land and housing administration, work towards achieving the N500 billion recapitalization of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and enhance the capacity of agencies like the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), among others.