FG Targets Over Two Million Jobs Through Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a bold plan to tackle both unemployment and the country’s massive housing deficit through its Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme, which is projected to create over two million jobs nationwide. The ambitious initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic agenda aimed at empowering low-income citizens and revitalizing critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking during a working session with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, explained that the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme was designed to deliver affordable housing units across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. According to him, the government plans to construct 100 housing units in each LGA, specifically targeting vulnerable Nigerians including low-income earners, unemployed citizens, and internally displaced persons.

Minister Dangiwa emphasized that beyond addressing shelter needs, the housing initiative is expected to significantly impact job creation. He broke down the projections, stating that the construction process is expected to generate over two million direct and indirect jobs across the country. According to the figures shared, each housing location would employ about 27 workers, and each worker would involve roughly 25 people in ancillary roles—ranging from laborers and artisans to suppliers and vendors—across 77,400 project locations. This multiplier effect, he noted, is a deliberate part of the government’s strategy to use infrastructure development as a tool for economic growth.

Funding for the programme will be sourced from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, a newly introduced financial mechanism aimed at backing critical public sector investments. However, Dangiwa clarified that the full financial blueprint and operational details of the housing programme will be shared with lawmakers once President Tinubu gives formal approval to the National Social Housing Programme documents.

Dangiwa also disclosed plans to institutionalize the housing programme through legislation. Once the programme officially kicks off, he said the Ministry will send a bill to the National Assembly to create a National Social Housing Fund, ensuring the sustainability of the project beyond the current administration.

Providing updates on ongoing projects, the Minister said the Ministry of Housing had continued the implementation of existing projects carried over from the previous year, including those financed through the 2022 supplementary budget. These efforts have been maintained throughout the first and second quarters of the year, pending the release of the 2025 federal budget by the Budget Office of the Federation.

He assured the committee that multiple Renewed Hope Cities and Estates are currently at advanced stages of development. Once budgeted funds are released, Dangiwa stated that many of these projects could be completed and inaugurated within just two months. He gave an example of the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, which he recently inspected alongside developers and financial partners. The project is nearly finished, though slight delays may occur due to the pending completion of access roads awarded by the Federal Capital Territory Minister.

Similar progress is being recorded in other states. Dangiwa revealed that Renewed Hope City projects in Kano and Lagos are also moving quickly towards completion and are expected to be inaugurated soon. These large-scale housing developments are envisioned not only as residential solutions but also as engines of economic activity and urban modernization.

On the issue of housing subscriptions, the Minister announced that Nigerians have begun subscribing to housing units across all project sites. He noted that developers are already beginning to recover their investments through these subscriptions, a sign that the initiative is gaining traction with the public.

To further accelerate project delivery, the Ministry has written to the Accountant-General of the Federation, urging that housing be prioritized in the disbursement of government funds. Dangiwa stressed the need to classify the housing sector as a priority area given its potential to generate jobs, stimulate local economies, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

In response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, expressed strong support for the Ministry’s efforts. He commended Dangiwa for his proactive approach and pledged the committee’s full cooperation to ensure the success of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme. Jibrin affirmed that the committee is committed to addressing any legislative or bureaucratic hurdles that might impede the programme’s implementation. He emphasized that the National Assembly is eager to work harmoniously with the Ministry to make a meaningful impact in the housing sector and deliver tangible results for the Nigerian people.

The Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme, if fully implemented, could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce its housing shortfall, empower vulnerable citizens, and expand the nation’s workforce. It reflects a multi-faceted approach to development, one that combines infrastructure with inclusive economic growth. While the initiative is still in its early stages, its successful execution could serve as a model for how government-led programmes can deliver both social welfare and sustainable employment at scale.