By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
The minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, has hinted that Nigeria currently faces over 17 million housing units deficit, which the Federal Government is working hard to conquer housing problems facing the country.
“Nigeria faces a housing deficit estimated to be over 17 million units, and bridging this gap requires not only innovative policies but also significant capital investment and technical expertise,” Ata said.
Ata stated this upon his return from Kazan International Islamic Forum where he represented Nigeria, in Russia.
He told journalists, on arrival at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, that the meeting was a huge success as it gave opportunity for, “a major milestone in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nigeria,” which he said will help in curbing the problem of growing housing deficit in the country.
“My engagements in Kazan are therefore timely and essential. We made it clear that Nigeria is open for business, especially in housing. The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates projects, currently underway in several states, are structured in such a way that international partners can come in through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).”
He added that the Kazan Forum further highlighted the opportunities for cross-sectoral investments, particularly in agriculture and urban development.
According to him, discussions with the Russian and Jordanian Ministers of Agriculture opened doors to potential joint initiatives in agro-residential estates, where farming and housing can co-exist in a symbiotic development model.
He said: “These ideas are already being explored within the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s policy framework as part of efforts to create sustainable, livable communities.”
Atta further revealed that Nigeria attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Russia, during the high-level international engagement in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, within the Russian Federation.
Ata stated that: “We were at the Kazan International Islamic Forum, invited by the Russian Federation. The gathering brought together a diverse range of global leaders, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Minister of Agriculture from Jordan, and several ministers from Russia, including the Minister of Construction and the Minister of Agriculture.”
He emphasized that Nigeria’s participation in the Forum was not just ceremonial, but a deliberate effort to forge strategic international partnerships, particularly in the critical housing sector.
He said, “we held very engaging and productive discussions with our counterparts. Most importantly, we spotlighted the immense investment opportunities in Nigeria’s housing ecosystem—ranging from large-scale construction, affordable housing schemes, to smart urban infrastructure development.”
The Minister disclosed that one of the most significant outcomes of the discussions was the commitment to initiate concrete follow-up steps with key ministries and private sector players from the Russian Federation.
“We are extending a formal invitation to the Russian Minister of Construction for a reciprocal visit to Nigeria. This visit will serve as a launch pad for activating investment collaborations that will catalyze development and reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit,” he noted.
He further stated that the outcome of the Kazan Forum aligns strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and economic transformation through strategic partnerships and private sector participation.
” The expected inflow of FDI from Russia and other participating countries is a testament to the increasing international confidence in Nigeria’s housing sector and the broader economic reforms of the current administration,” Ata said.
