Minister Woos Private Developers To Expand Housing Delivery

The federal government has highlighted the role of private-sector developers in its efforts to expand housing delivery through partnerships to address the country’s housing deficit.

The minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, stated this during the groundbreaking for 5,000 housing units being developed in partnership with Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

Darma said the federal government was concerned about the country’s estimated 15 million housing deficit, which he said affected approximately 120 million Nigerians.

He explained that the government was considering additional housing interventions, including a proposed nationwide social housing initiative to construct 100 housing units in each local government area.

According to him, a proposed 100,000-unit housing programme was also under consideration, with feasibility assessments and costing exercises underway to account for differences in construction costs across states.

The minister’s remarks came as the Federal Government pursues collaboration with private developers to support the delivery of residential housing.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited, Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa, said the partnership was intended to make homeownership more accessible through mortgage financing and flexible payment arrangements.

He said the initiative would enable Nigerians to acquire homes through structured financing rather than relying entirely on outright payments.

Mosadoluwa reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the 5,000 housing units within 36 months.

The project covers Lekki Aviation Town, The Parliament and GranVille Estate in Ibeju-Lekki.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held over the weekend and attracted representatives of the federal and Lagos State governments, traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders in the housing sector.