To address Nigeria’s long-standing housing deficit, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to deliver 77,400 new social housing units across the country under its flagship Renewed Hope Agenda. The ambitious project, which aims to spread development equitably across the nation, includes the construction of Renewed Hope Cities in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, as well as housing estates in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, who emphasised the government’s dedication to ensuring affordable housing reaches all corners of Nigeria. According to Ata, the initiative is not only about shelter but also about social equity and economic stimulation.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are constructing 3,000 housing units each in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano for Renewed Hope Cities, and 250 units in each of the 36 states for the Renewed Hope Estates,” Ata said during a strategic briefing in Abuja.
He further revealed the heart of the nationwide plan: “We are delivering 77,400 social housing units, with 100 units allocated to each of the 774 local government areas. This is a grassroots-driven solution aimed at reaching communities often left behind.”
A key component of the initiative is its pro-poor housing policy. Ata disclosed that 30 per cent of the new homes would be allocated to non-income and vulnerable Nigerians, maintaining President Bola Tinubu’s directive despite a recommendation to reduce the threshold to 20 per cent.
“We must commend the President for standing firm. His decision ensures that the most disadvantaged in society are not left behind in this developmental stride,” the minister stated.
The housing initiative is being backed by growing interest from foreign partners, including Ms Allen Le and Partners International Investment Consulting Joint Company. During a recent visit by a delegation led by Allen Ke Nam of SV-NED Incorporated, both parties expressed readiness to collaborate on the delivery of affordable housing.
Nam requested land from the government and highlighted the far-reaching benefits of the partnership: “This initiative will not only tackle the housing problem but also generate jobs and upskill thousands of Nigerians with modern construction technologies.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Shuaib Belgore, also expressed optimism about the partnership and pledged the Ministry’s support to potential investors.
“We are open to partnerships that align with our goals of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable housing. This is more than a construction project—it is a socioeconomic empowerment tool,” Belgore said.
Nigeria’s housing deficit is estimated at over 20 million units, according to various industry reports. Rapid urbanisation, population growth, and inadequate government investment over decades have contributed to the crisis. With this new project, the Tinubu administration hopes to reduce the gap significantly, especially in under-served and rural communities.
The Renewed Hope housing programme is designed to complement ongoing efforts by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and other agencies working to improve home ownership among low- and middle-income Nigerians.
Experts believe that beyond bridging the shelter gap, the housing plan could have wide-ranging economic benefits. The construction of tens of thousands of housing units is expected to create direct and indirect employment, promote local building materials, and stimulate economic activities in beneficiary communities.
Real estate economist and policy analyst, Dr. Adewale Ajayi, noted that, “If executed transparently and efficiently, this could be one of the most transformative housing programmes in Nigeria’s history. It ticks all the right boxes: affordability, equity, inclusivity, and job creation.”
Despite the excitement, stakeholders warn of potential obstacles such as land acquisition issues, funding constraints, bureaucratic delays, and lack of infrastructure. There are also calls for a strong implementation and monitoring framework to prevent diversion or abandonment of the housing projects.
Still, the administration remains optimistic. Minister Ata concluded, “With the right partnerships, political will, and accountability, this is a vision we can achieve. Every Nigerian deserves a decent home, and we are committed to making that a reality.”