The Federal Government and German – French (GIZ-AFD), Development Agencies have concluded arrangements aimed at
working closely with its partners to translate agreed interventions into tangible outcomes, especially in the area of supporting sustainable housing delivery.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, made the assertion when receiving the leader of the GIZ delegation, Joshua Yari Garba visited him in Abuja that formed part of wider consultations with stakeholders on support for Nigeria’s housing sector.

Darma who endorsed the proposed areas of collaboration between the Ministry and the GIZ- AFD, aimed at strengthening capacity, promoting sustainable building practices, said they are committed to working and engaging them in a two-way process that allows both sides to exchange ideas and align priorities.

He further told the agencies that the social housing programme is central to the present Renewed Hope Administration and the Ministry’s mandate, saying that the Federal Government is committed to delivering about 774,000 housing units across the country.

The Housing Minister hinted that the Ministry would establish a dedicated team to follow up on the issues discussed, adding that formal communication would be made to GIZ -AFD on the areas requiring further engagement and implementation.

On the Ministry’s housing delivery plans, Darma explained that the Federal Government plans to build about 770,000 housing units across Nigeria, with the Ministry starting with 11,000 units this year as an initial step towards achieving the target.

According to the Minister,the issue of social housing is very key to the Ministry’s mandate, particularly in expanding access to decent and affordable homes for Nigerians.

Earlier, the leader of the GIZ delegation, Joshua Yari Garba who is also the Implementing Manager and Deputy Cluster Coordinator at GIZ, said the delegation’s visit will form part of wider consultations with stakeholders on support for Nigeria’s housing sector.

Garba outlined several potential areas of collaboration to include support for the Renewed Hope Housing Programme in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), assist in reviewing the National Building Code, with emphasis on climate resilience.

Other areas are energy efficiency and green building standards he added ,capacity building for Ministry staff and artisans; energy audit of the Ministry building; and support for the implementation of pilot housing projects.

He therefore noted that potential funding opportunities through the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Green Climate Fund were discussed as part of efforts to support sustainable housing development in Nigeria.

The engagement underscores the Ministry’s continued collaboration with international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity, promote sustainable construction practices and support the delivery of affordable and resilient housing across the country.