Minister Darma Commits to Tackling Nigeria's Housing Deficit

During a handover ceremony held in Abuja on Monday, the newly appointed Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, pledged to adopt a collaborative leadership approach to address Nigeria's housing deficit. He emphasized the importance of cooperation with stakeholders across various sectors to achieve the ministry's objectives.

Darma noted that experts estimate Nigeria's housing shortfall to be between 14 million and 20 million units, necessitating a clear and direct action plan. He expressed concern over rising housing costs, particularly in Abuja, where a one-bedroom house can sell for between 25 million and 30 million Naira, making it unaffordable for many, especially the middle class.

The Minister also acknowledged the challenges posed by budgetary delays that hinder timely infrastructure provision and project implementation. He expressed confidence in the ministry's capacity to consolidate existing gains and sustain collaboration with private investors to deliver affordable housing and drive economic growth.