REMARKS BY THE HON. MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 63RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS IN ABUJA ON 22ND NOVEMBER 2023.
Protocols:
1. Esteemed Members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, distinguished guests, and friends.
2. I extend my warmest greetings to each of you gathered here today on the occasion of the 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the inauguration of Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi as the 30th President of this esteemed institution.
3. This event marks a significant milestone in the history of the Nigerian Institute of Architects. Architecture, beyond the sheer construction of buildings, stands as a testament to the fusion of art, science, and functionality. It is the manifestation of our aspirations, shaping the physical landscape and transcending the realms of aesthetics to profoundly impact human lives.
4. In the rich tapestry of our nation’s architectural heritage, architects are the custodians of innovation, sustainability, and societal progress. The built environment reflects our cultural identity and bears the responsibility of creating spaces that foster community, inclusivity, and wellbeing for all.
5. The Nigerian Institute of Architects stands as a beacon of excellence, embodying the values of professionalism, integrity, and creativity. Throughout its distinguished history, the institute has been a cradle for nurturing talent, fostering collaboration, and advocating for the highest standards of architectural practice.
6. Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi’s ascendancy to the presidency signifies a new chapter in the institute’s journey. Her leadership qualities, coupled with a wealth of experience, will undoubtedly steer the institute toward greater heights of achievement. I am confident that under her guidance, the Nigerian Institute of Architects will continue to be a trailblazer, shaping the architectural landscape of our nation and beyond.
7. As the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, I want to assure the Institute of our commitment to implementing historic reforms that will reset the housing and urban landscape of the country.
8. His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has a bold vision for the sector and is committed to backing it up with the necessary political will to break down all barriers that discourage investment in the sector.
9. At the Ministry, I have taken Mr. President’s vision and am determined to actualize it. We want to drive through initiatives that will create an enabling environment for easier, safer, and profitable private sector investments in the sectors.
10. Top on our agenda is establishing credible, scientific, and reliable housing data for planning and policy formulation.
11. For years, our nation has grappled with conflicting and unsubstantiated figures regarding this crisis. The range of estimates, varying from 17 million to 28 million, has not only been a source of embarrassment but also a hindrance to effective policymaking and strategic planning.
12. We plan to fix this national embarrassment by developing and implementing a mechanism to deliver reliable housing data to guide policy formulation. We have begun a strategic collaboration with the National Population Commission on housing data. The plan is to work with the Commission to design and implement survey instruments specifically tailored to address housing-related questions to arrive at the actual housing deficit during their upcoming population and housing census exercise.
13. We understand clearly that the housing deficit is not solely about the quantity of structures but also about the quality of living conditions. So, we want to know whether the homes that Nigerians live in provide access to good sanitation, proper toilets, sufficient living spaces, a healthy environment, and other essential amenities. We have written to Mr. President and we are hopeful that with his approval for the conduct of the Census, we should fix this problem and put an end to this national embarrassment.
14. To ensure that housing agencies under the supervision of the Ministry are optimized to deliver on your target of providing affordable homes to Nigerians, we have composed a Housing Reform Team of experts, stakeholders, agency representatives, professional bodies and academia to develop a robust framework for reform of the housing sector including thorough review of relevant laws and facilitation of necessary legislative amendments.
15. This includes the Land Use Act of 1978, National Housing Fund (NHF) Act 1992, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Establishment Act 1993, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Act 1973, PenCom Act to allow for increased investment in housing and the nationwide adoption and passage of the foreclosure law in states.
16. The reforms and legislative amendments that the Reform Team will execute in collaboration with stakeholders and the National Assembly will be the most comprehensive set ever done in the history of housing and urban development in Nigeria.
17. We have also composed a Multi-Agency Project Delivery Team that will ensure that all housing agencies work collaboratively together towards optimizing their strengths to deliver decent and affordable housing to Nigerians.
18. In line with the Renewed Hope vision, we are also leading the much-needed reforms to ensure quick, easy, and efficient access to land, we have defined a framework for implementing historic land reforms that would unlock estimated $300bn in dead capital. Our aim is to ensure that Nigerians have legal titles over their land so they can use it to access credit for their business. Over 97% of land in Nigeria do not have titles thereby limiting its potential as an economic resource. We have engaged the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms (PTCLR) and committed to reviewing and incorporating relevant recommendations.
19. A key part of this includes the establishment of a National Land Commission. The Commission will provide the guidelines and regulations for operationalizing the Land Use Act 1978. This will help streamline land administration.
20. To drive this process, we have composed a land reforms committee comprising state governments, traditional rulers, relevant agencies, professional bodies, academia, stakeholders to ensure buy-in and inclusivity. With their recommendations we will draft an Executive Bill and proceed to the National Assembly for the amendment of the obsolete provisions in Land Use Act 1978.
21. In line with the Renewed Hope Vision to ensure that all Nigerians including the NO INCOME, vulnerable and underprivileged groups have access to decent and dignified accommodation, we are creating the framework for the establishment of a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) for your consideration and approval. We believe that access to decent housing is a human right, and all Nigerians deserve access to quality shelter.
22. We also plan to boost building materials manufacturing in the country towards ensuring economic growth, creating jobs, reducing dependency on imports, and lowering the cost of construction materials and housing delivery.
23. Our plan is to build six (1) Building Materials Hubs in each geo-political zone in the country. The hubs will be provided with relevant facilities, including access roads, electricity, fit for purpose housing and relevant linkages for manufacturers to site their firms and operate.
24. To this end we have already composed a Building Materials Manufacturing Task Team comprising of experts and representatives from relevant government agencies, academia, professional bodies, and industry associations. Primarily, their job is to conduct a thorough assessment of the current state of the building materials manufacturing sector and produce a strategic plan for reforming the sector for implementation. We have already identified a set of consultants for prototype design of the hubs to be located one in each geo-political zone.
25. In doing all these, we recognize the indispensable role of architects as key stakeholders in this endeavor. Our partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Architects will remain steadfast as we work hand in hand to devise innovative solutions, implement policies that promote sustainable development, and create environments that enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
26. I extend my sincere congratulations to Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi on assuming the esteemed role of President and commend the institute for its unwavering dedication to advancing the architectural profession in Nigeria.
27. May this gathering serve as a catalyst for renewed collaboration, innovation, and collective action toward building a brighter, more sustainable future for our nation.
28. Thank you.
