The federal government has said that the population of Nigerians currently living in the urban areas will jump from the current 50 per cent to 60 per cent by 2030, underscoring the need to plan for the increase accordingly.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, who made the disclosure, stressed that there was the need to ensure proper collaboration between the private and public sectors to ensure that the plans come to fruition.
Stressing that the availability of financing for affordable housing and urban development in the country remains a challenge, Dangiwa, who was represented by the Minister of State in the ministry, Abdullahi Gwarzo, explained that stakeholders should work towards ensuring that the challenges are mitigated.
He spoke during the commemoration of the 2023 World Habitat Day and World Cities Day organised by the ministry in Abuja themed: “Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All.”
“The federal government of Nigeria is paying very thoughtful attention to the issues and challenges of urbanisation in the country.
“The issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remain the cardinal focus of the ministry and we solicit collaborations and partnerships from our development partners and other stakeholders,” Dangiwa stated.
Describing urbanisation as one of the most transformative forces shaping the world in the 21st century, the minister explained that it is a phenomenon that can be harnessed to enhance economic productivity, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability.
“Urban dwellers now account for more than 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population and are expected to increase to 60 per cent by the year 2030.
“It is our duty therefore to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of the population in our towns and cities through effective urban planning and management and building the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks,” he added.
According to him, the government envisages an urban future where economic growth and prosperity proceed with equity, where human exploitation of the natural environment is carried on sustainably and one where poverty and inequality are reduced by strong human-centred policies.
“Provision of adequate and affordable housing in both urban and rural areas in the secure, healthy, and decent environment for all Nigerians is the primary mandate of this ministry and equally one of the cardinal focuses of the present administration’s renewed hope agenda.
“Therefore, the issues of housing and urban development are being given the deserved attention. We therefore call for private sector investments in the sector by leveraging on the ministry’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement already in place,” he added.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Senator Gbenga Ashafa, said it was time to make the environment more habitable, secure, and environmentally sustainable for Nigerians.
One of the ways of recovering from the current global economic meltdown, due to Nigeria’s overdependence on crude oil export, he said, is to diversify into housing construction.
“The government has to make a concerted and deliberate effort at urban development, through the building of new cities and regenerating of the old ones.
“Through this, not only will we provide houses to our people, we will also deliver a more liveable and secure environment to them,” he said.
He further stated that the value chain of the housing industry remains the surest bet for creating jobs, both directly and indirectly, employing both professionals and non-professionals.
In his virtual remarks, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, urged governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society to work together to mobilise finance for resilient and sustainable cities.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Follow us on:
