The federal government of Nigeria says there is more economic impact of housing than merely providing roofs over people’s heads, which explains its interest in the housing and construction sector.
The government explains that the sector’s impact on the economy is multi-layered, as reflected in creating jobs, empowering small businesses, stimulating local manufacturing, attracting investment, and strengthening household incomes.
According to Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, housing is a pillar of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which it is leveraging to drive inclusive, sustainable economic transformation.
“Every block we lay, every house we complete is a step towards a stronger economy, a more empowered citizenry, and a more hopeful future for Nigeria,” Dangiwa said in an interview with BusinessDay.
The minister said that, from the onset, the present administration envisioned the Renewed Hope Housing Programme not just as a social intervention, but also as a strategic economic growth tool, noting that, around the world, housing and construction are known to have some of the highest multiplier effects on GDP.
In terms of job creation, he said, housing delivery is highly labour-intensive such that “for every single home we build, an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs are created along the value chain. This includes masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, welders, roofers, painters, engineers, architects, truck drivers, suppliers of building materials, and many others whose livelihoods depend on the construction ecosystem.”
Continuing, he said, “with 10,112 housing units currently under construction nationwide, we have already generated over 250,000 jobs in less than two years. These are not just statistics; they represent real incomes for real people. We have seen artisans on our project sites earn between ₦120,000 and ₦150,000 monthly, in some cases for the first time in their lives. These earnings are flowing directly into local economies—supporting families, paying school fees, funding small businesses, and reducing poverty in tangible ways.”
Read also: FG explains how current housing programme differs from previous efforts
Beyond providing roofs over people’s heads, housing also stimulates local industries and the minister explained that, by prioritizing the use of locally produced building materials, including cement, blocks, roofing sheets, paints, tiles, doors, and window, the government is boosting demand for domestic manufacturers and suppliers which supports the country’s industrial base, reduces dependence on imports, and keeps wealth circulating within the economy.
To further reflate the economy, Dangiwa disclosed that the government is opening up new urban growth corridors with projects like the Renewed Hope City in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, which are strategically located to complement major infrastructure investments such as the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Sea Port. These developments are creating economic clusters, attracting new businesses, and unlocking previously underutilised land for commercial and residential use.
As part of efforts to achieve this goal, the government has come up with an initiative called ‘The Renewed Hope Housing Portal’—a transformative innovation introduced into the government’s
housing reform agenda. It represents a complete departure from the old ways in which government-backed housing opportunities were allocated through a process that was often opaque, slow, and prone to favouritism.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, we have created a fully digital, transparent, and user-friendly platform that gives every Nigerian, regardless of location or status, equal access to government-supported housing opportunities,” the minister noted.
The portal enables home buyers at home and abroad to search for available housing units nationwide, filtered by location, housing type, and price range. It also has built-in mortgage calculators and repayment simulations that allow applicants to assess which homes fit their budget before applying.
The portal also provides real-time updates from application to offer letter issuance, payment tracking, and final allocation, making the entire process seamless and accessible from a computer or mobile device anywhere in the world.
“What truly makes this portal a game-changer is its guarantee of fairness and transparency. Applications are assessed objectively using clearly defined criteria—income level, affordability, household size, and location preference—ensuring that homes go to those who truly qualify. There are no backdoors, no ‘connections,’ no middlemen,” he assured.
