FG Launches 14-Member Committee for Housing Reforms

The Federal Government of Nigeria inaugurated a 14-member ministerial committee on housing sector reforms in Abuja, led by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqa Darma. The committee, chaired by Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, is tasked with producing a workable implementation strategy within six weeks.

It includes officials from the ministry’s technical departments and relevant agencies. The committee's responsibilities encompass coordinating the implementation of reform measures, developing a detailed work plan with priority actions, timelines, and deliverables, and monitoring progress to ensure timely completion of assigned actions.

Darma stated that the committee emerged from a stakeholder validation conference aimed at reviewing housing deficit data and establishing policy directions for reform. He emphasized the need for stronger regulation in the built environment and noted that the sector currently contributes about 17% to Nigeria’s economy, compared to 22-27% in countries like South Africa and Kenya.

Darma urged the committee to approach its assignment with urgency and confidence.