The Federal Government is intensifying its collaboration with China to accelerate affordable housing delivery and address Nigeria's growing housing deficit through innovative, scalable construction methods. This initiative comes as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, announced aggressive reforms in housing delivery, urban renewal, and slum upgrading, promising to run the ministry with discipline, teamwork, and measurable performance targets to ease the hardships faced by Nigerians.
High-Level Technical Visit to Guangzhou
The government's latest move follows a high-level technical study visit to Guangzhou, led by the Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe. The delegation included officials from Family Homes Funds Limited, notably Managing Director Abdul Mutallab Mukhtar and Executive Director (Operations) Henry Inegbu. During the visit, discussions focused on integrating modular and prefabricated housing technologies into Nigeria's construction sector. This approach is expected to reduce construction costs, speed up project delivery, and improve building quality on a large scale. The meetings were facilitated by Joerno Conceptions Limited and E-Link Group, with additional support from the Executive Deputy Director of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Enterprises Working Committee, Zou Gang.
Minister Darma's Vision for Reform
Speaking during his assumption of office in Abuja, Darma emphasized that he is not coming as a “boss” but as the “captain of a team,” underscoring that every staff member will play a role in repositioning the ministry to deliver on President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated that the ministry will immediately begin a comprehensive review of its operations, with directors expected to present detailed briefs on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOTs) facing the sector, beginning from today. The outcome will form the basis of a strategic work plan with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to be submitted to Tinubu.
Teamwork and Accountability
“We are team players and we are set to win. I am just the captain of the team, not the boss,” Darma said, adding that every officer will have direct access to him to discuss ideas that can move the ministry forward. “If after three months we fail to meet our targets, then it means we are failing the President and Nigerians,” he warned. The minister vowed to strengthen the built industry, tackle urban slums, and improve the nation's housing system beyond political rhetoric, insisting that sabotage of agreed reforms will not be tolerated. He said the ministry will also engage critical stakeholders across the built environment sector to ensure broad ownership of its policies and programs.
Progress Through Public-Private Partnerships
Earlier, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Atta, noted that the ministry has made major strides in housing delivery through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), with projects across more than 17 states generating over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs. This collaboration with China is expected to further accelerate these efforts, leveraging advanced construction technologies to meet the nation's housing needs more efficiently.
