The Nigerian government has concluded plan to partner with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to accelerate housing delivery, and promote investment, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development Muttaqha Rabe Darma asserted this when receiving Saudi Ambassador, Yousef Bin Muhammad Al-Balawi in his office in Abuja, saying, this will deepen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of attracting Saudi developers into the Nigeria’s housing markets.

Darma noted that “the visit underscores the shared interests, commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that will accelerate housing delivery, promote investment, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the long-standing diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.”

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development further explained that the discussions centered on strategic partnership on infrastructure development and investment, and on the forthcoming edition of the Riyadh Real Estate Future Forum (RFF), scheduled for January next year

He therefore expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s interest in collaborating with Nigeria in the development of the housing sector, describing Nigeria as the largest country in Africa with enormous housing and infrastructure development needs.

He added that the strategic international partnerships remain essential to achieving the Federal Government’s housing objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

Similarly, he emphasized that with Nigeria’s significant housing deficit, collaboration with countries that have demonstrated excellence in large-scale housing delivery, like Saudi Arabia, will contribute immensely to making the government’s vision of decent and affordable housing for all Nigerians a reality.

Also speaking, Muhammad Al-Balawi reaffirmed the readiness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to partner with Nigeria in addressing the nation’s housing needs, saying, they’ve made achievements in housing development through its National Housing Company, a government-backed institution responsible for delivering large-scale housing projects across the Kingdom.

According to the envoy, his home country is willing to share its expertise, technical knowledge, and best practices with Nigeria to support the Federal Government’s efforts to bridge the country’s housing deficit.

He added that the proposed collaboration could also create opportunities for qualified Nigerian professionals and skilled workers to participate in housing and construction projects in Saudi Arabia, thereby promoting knowledge transfer and employment.

The Ambassador further expressed the commitment of the Kingdom to deepening diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria, adding that looks forward to expanding areas of cooperation and warmly welcomes the establishment of a stronger Nigerian diplomatic presence in the Kingdom.