news

Ahmed Dangiwa Hails South-West as Housing Trailblazer

Published

1 year ago

October 10, 2025

Ahmed Dangiwa housing vision spotlights South-West as a model region, with new projects and 50,000 jobs under the Renewed Hope programme

Ahmed Dangiwa housing initiatives have placed the South-West region at the forefront of Nigeria’s ongoing transformation in the housing sector, with the Minister of Housing and Urban Development describing it as a trailblazer under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme.

Also read: Tinubu Re-election 2027: Aiyedatiwa Seeks Overwhelming Victory in South-West

Speaking in Abeokuta at the 2025 South-West Housing and Construction Exhibition and Trade Fair themed “Renewed Hope Housing: Driving Regional Growth,” Arc Dangiwa announced that the Federal Government plans to cut housing costs through the establishment of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in each of the six geopolitical zones.

He revealed that the South-West hub, to be located within the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos State, will create more than 50,000 jobs and transform the region into a centre for affordable building materials production.

“The hub will host factories producing cement, steel, tiles, sanitary ware, paints, and doors within one ecosystem,” Dangiwa said. “It will reduce import dependence, strengthen the Naira, and position Lagos as a regional export centre.”

The Minister disclosed that the government is already constructing over 10,000 housing units in 17 states and the FCT, creating about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs and attracting more than ₦70 billion in private investment through public-private partnerships.

He noted that the South-West region stands out in implementing the Renewed Hope agenda, citing visible projects such as the 2,000-unit Renewed Hope City in Ibeju-Lekki, the 250-unit estate in Osogbo, and the Ajoda housing development in Ibadan.

“These are not promises; they are projects that can be seen and touched,” he stressed.

Dangiwa further highlighted the government’s commitment to reforming land administration by digitising and harmonising systems across the country to unlock over $300 billion in dead capital. This, he said, would make land a true economic asset and not a bottleneck to development.

He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s determination to reduce the national housing deficit, urging state governments and private investors to collaborate with the Federal Government to deliver affordable homes for Nigerians.

In his remarks, Dr Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, convener of the exhibition, unveiled plans to train one million artisans by 2035 through the establishment of an Artisan Training School and Construction Artisan Marketplace.

He explained that the initiative aims to boost employability, enhance construction quality, and close the artisan skills gap in the industry.

The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Builder Daniel Kolade, commended the Federal Government’s proactive steps but stressed that the success of the Renewed Hope Housing Initiative depends on strong collaboration among government, professionals, and investors.

Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated between 17 million and 28 million units, would require around ₦21 trillion to bridge.

Dangiwa had earlier noted that to close the gap, Nigeria must produce 550,000 housing units annually for a decade, requiring an investment of ₦5.5 trillion per year.

Also read: Protecting Nigeria’s Shrinking Civic Space with Responsible Security

Despite these daunting figures, Dangiwa’s bold drive to revitalise the housing sector through local production, innovation, and partnership has injected a renewed sense of optimism into the nation’s housing landscape a true embodiment of the government’s Renewed Hope vision.

Up Next

Senate Dismisses Christian Genocide Claim

Don't Miss

Aiteo Blamed for Another Devastating Oil Spill in Nembe

theheute

Click to comment

State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

2 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

Also read: Rest of World to Shut Down as Search for New Home Continues

The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

Also read: Rest of World to Shut Down as Search for New Home Continues

Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.