The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has retired over 1,600 staff in the past eighteen months, making it grossly understaffed and leading to missing skills and gaps across the Ministry, including its state field offices.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, disclosed this at the flag-off of the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) Project in Abuja, saying the lack of professionals makes project supervision cumbersome for the Ministry.

According to Belgore, this initiative is an important part of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), anchored by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the verification exercise is aimed at updating personnel records, identifying skills and capacity gaps, and supporting workforce planning and reforms for all civil servants of the federation.

He highlighted the Ministry’s primary mandate of providing affordable housing for Nigerians, acknowledging the hard work of the staff in achieving this mandate.

“Lack of professionals on the ground makes project supervision cumbersome for the few ministry staff, and often we deploy officers from the headquarters for site inspections across the states,” he said.

Belgore urged the team of consultants to be thorough in the verification exercise to identify the Ministry’s strengths across headquarters and all offices, noting that the team will be expected to present some of their findings.

He noted that the exercise is crucial to the FCSSIP 25, as it focuses on capacity and building human resources for the next generation.

The Permanent Secretary therefore urged all Ministry staff to cooperate fully with the consultants, adding that the team will be monitored to ensure the Ministry’s mandate is achieved.

Earlier, the CEO of Georgid Consulting, Isaac Idontenyi, said it is essential to carry out an effective and efficient verification exercise, as the initiative will reposition and transform the Federal Civil Service for national growth.
While stating that the physical verification process will begin on Monday, he outlined the broad scope of the exercise, which includes data collection, performance management, leadership and succession planning, training, recruitment, and placement.

He also explained that the verification process will use a technology tool to capture information, ensuring data integrity and coverage across the country.
The acting Director of Human Resource Management, Ayodele Ademola, said the exercise marks a step in strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing efficiency, and aligning the Ministry’s human resources with its renewed mandate.

He added that the initiative underscores the commitment of the Head of Service to accountability, transparency, and excellence in service delivery.