FG Offers Free Land to Investors to Build Affordable Homes Across Nigeria

The Federal Government has announced its willingness to provide land to credible investors interested in developing affordable housing projects across Nigeria as part of efforts to address the country’s growing housing shortage.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, made this known during discussions with a Chinese investment delegation seeking partnership opportunities in Nigeria’s housing sector.

According to the ministry, the proposal centres on the construction of large-scale affordable housing projects aimed at increasing access to decent homes for Nigerians while supporting the Federal Government’s housing agenda.

Darma said the government remains committed to working with genuine investors capable of delivering quality housing projects and is prepared to facilitate access to land in different parts of the country.

He stated that the ministry would provide land in Abuja, various states and local government areas, provided investors meet all legal and regulatory requirements.

“Our mandate is to ensure that more Nigerians have access to affordable and decent housing. We are therefore ready and willing to provide land in Abuja, across the states and in local government areas, subject to due process and the fulfilment of all statutory requirements. This proposal is encouraging because it aligns with the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and our determination to reduce the nation’s housing deficit,” Darma said.

The minister noted that attracting private investment remains a key strategy in tackling Nigeria’s housing challenges. He added that the government is focused on creating an enabling environment that will encourage both local and foreign investors to participate in housing development.

The visiting delegation was led by Chief Engineer Lewis Chima, who said the company was drawn to Nigeria because of the enormous demand for housing and the country’s economic potential.

Chima explained that Nigeria’s housing deficit presents an opportunity for large-scale investments capable of delivering affordable homes to millions of citizens.

He said the proposed development would support ongoing government efforts to expand housing access across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“The objective of this project is not merely to construct houses, but to develop sustainable communities through modern industrialised construction technology. We believe this initiative will make a significant contribution towards closing Nigeria’s housing gap while supporting the Federal Government’s vision of affordable housing for all,” he stated.

The company plans to deploy prefabricated building technology under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing model. According to Chima, the approach will combine project design, funding, construction and delivery within a single framework.

He said the technology would make it possible to complete about 10,000 housing units within 30 months while reducing costs and improving construction efficiency.

The firm also pledged a long-term partnership with the Federal Government, stressing that the project would not only provide housing but also create employment opportunities, encourage technology transfer and support sustainable urban development.

Following the presentation, the minister directed the establishment of a committee made up of relevant directors within the ministry to conduct a detailed assessment of the proposal and advise on the next steps.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, assured the investors of the government’s commitment to strategic partnerships that can accelerate housing delivery across the country.

Nigeria is currently facing an estimated housing deficit of about 17 million units, making affordable housing one of the country’s major development challenges.

To address the situation, the Federal Government has been implementing the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which relies heavily on partnerships with private investors and developers.

The programme consists of Renewed Hope Cities, Renewed Hope Estates and Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates designed to increase housing supply and improve access to home ownership.

Government officials say construction is already underway on more than 10,000 housing units across several states and the Federal Capital Territory. Major projects include the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, as well as similar developments in Lagos and Kano.

The latest proposal is expected to further boost ongoing efforts to reduce the housing deficit and expand access to affordable housing for Nigerians.