Senate Committee backs PPPs for housing, urban development

Emmanuel Kwada

The Senate Committee on Land, Housing, and Urban Development has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Public-Private Partnerships as a key strategy for addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges.

Senator Aminu Tambuwal

Speaking at the Renewed Hope Housing Public-Private Partnership Summit in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, emphasised the urgent need for collaborative efforts to bridge the country’s housing deficit.

“Housing is not just a fundamental human need; it is a catalyst for economic growth. Millions of citizens lack access to affordable and decent shelter. This shortfall is not just a statistic—it represents families in need, unfulfilled aspirations, and lost economic opportunities,” Tambuwal said.

Tambuwal highlighted the importance of leveraging PPPs to integrate private-sector innovation with government policies, regulatory frameworks, and financial support.

He assured stakeholders of the Senate’s readiness to enact legislation that promotes transparency, removes bureaucratic hurdles, and creates an enabling environment for private-sector investment.

We stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to facilitate this objective

“As a committee on lands, housing, and urban development in the Senate, I reaffirm my dedication to supporting progressive policies and legislative frameworks that foster sustainable housing development. We stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to facilitate this objective,” he said.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging past failures in housing policy implementation and emphasizing the need for a new approach.

Housing is not just a fundamental human need; it is a catalyst for economic growth

“Despite numerous housing policies, inconsistent implementation, lack of political will, and poor coordination have hindered progress,” Dangiwa said.

“Under the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are determined to break this cycle of inaction and deliver tangible results,” he added.

He outlined the government’s efforts to collect accurate housing data through partnerships with the National Population Commission and other agencies.

Dangiwa revealed that Nigeria’s housing deficit is estimated at over 20 million units, requiring an annual investment of over N5tn to address.

Millions of citizens lack access to affordable and decent shelter

He also detailed ongoing PPP projects, including the development of seven Renewed Hope Cities in key locations and a 5,000-unit affordable housing initiative with Shelter Afrique Development Bank.

“As most of you are already aware, construction is already in progress, with 6,612 housing units underway in the FCT, Lagos, and Kano,” he noted.

“We are here this morning to say that WE NEED MORE PPPs with technically and financially capable partners to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

The convener of the summit, Dr. Olayemi Rotsimo-Shodome, lauded the engagement of policymakers, investors, and developers in addressing Nigeria’s housing needs.

He underscored the importance of practical implementation, stating that the success of PPPs depends on commitment from both the public and private sectors.

WE NEED MORE PPPs with technically and financially capable partners to deliver

“The theme of this summit—leveraging PPPs to deliver the Renewed Hope agenda for housing and urban development—is both apt and inspiring,” he said.

“We must move beyond discussions to action, ensuring that every agreement signed translates into homes for Nigerians,” he added.

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