News

FG To Review Four Housing Laws, Says Minister

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2023

Editor

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has constituted a housing reform team of experts and stakeholders to develop a robust framework of the housing sector and ensure that housing agencies under the supervision of the Ministry are enhanced to provide affordable homes for Nigerians.

In a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information, Badamasi Haiba, he also stated that the reform team would deliberate on necessary legislative amendments such as the Land Use Act, 1978; National Housing Fund Act, 1992; Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Establishment Act, 1993; Federal Housing Authority Act,1973; among others.

The minister made this disclosure during a meeting with a delegation from the Housing Development Advocacy Network, led by Mr Ugochukwu Obiora Chime, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

He explained that the reform team would be made up of representatives from HDAN, agencies, professional bodies, as well as academia, to develop a robust framework for the reform of the housing sector by thoroughly reviewing relevant laws.

“The team will be tasked with streamlining all previous reform blueprints, and white papers for the agencies and outlining areas requiring reform, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” he further clarified.

On the issue of housing data, he disclosed that a ministry taskforce had been set up, and was working with the National Population Commission to design survey instruments that would address housing-related questions during the upcoming population and housing census exercise.

“We invited and met with the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms; we now have access to the comprehensive work they have done over the past 14 years on Land Reforms in our country. Immediately after the meeting, we set up an Internal Ministerial Committee to review and recommend for inclusion in our land reforms strategy, relevant parts of their recommendations will be the establishment of the National Land Commission to spell out the guidelines and regulations for operationalising the Land Use Act, 1978,” he stated.

Dangiwa also revealed the ministry’s target to deliver 34,500 units of multi-level flats to cater to low-medium income earners, terrace and detached bungalows and duplexes for the high-income earners under Phase 1 of the Renewed Hope Cities, in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country and FCT.

He added that 500 housing units of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom affordable bungalows per site in each of the remaining thirty States, under the Renewed Hope Estates were underway.

He noted, “Sponsors will include the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s budgetary allocation, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and through Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers. Ownership options include mortgage loans, rent-to-own, and outright purchase.”

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the HDAN delegation, Ugochukwu Chime, acknowledged that the ministry served as the blueprint that would bring about massive socio-economic development to the country, giving its potential as the greatest engine room for employment generation.

He, however, noted that more work was needed to institutionalise such a turnaround in the perception of shelter not just as a means of providing homes for people but also as a means of engendering the massive socio-economic growth as well as a multiplier effect in the local economy.

The delegation appealed to the minister to wade into issues surrounding the pricing of land Certificate of Occupancy and set up a committee that would look into the outstanding housing bills at the National Assembly.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

19 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

20 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.