The Federal Government on Tuesday officially handed over housing units to beneficiaries of the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the units were financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and developed by Brains and Hammers under the NHF Rent-to-Own Programme at Bungalow City, Abuja.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, who performed the symbolic handover, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing across the country.
He said the administration was determined to accelerate housing delivery in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.
“We are here today to make symbolic presentations to the beneficiaries of this very important programme,” the minister said.
“From today, we are poised to continue delivering houses to Nigerians. The time for rhetoric is over. Now is the time for action.”
Darma apologised for delays in the allocation of the houses, noting that some beneficiaries had waited for up to two years.
“I must say I am sorry that a number of you did not receive the keys to your houses in the last one to one and a half years, as promised by the bank,” he said. “Going forward, such lapses will not happen within the Ministry.”
He added that many Nigerians spend between 40 and 60 per cent of their income on rent, particularly in major cities like Abuja and Lagos, stressing the need for affordable housing solutions.
The minister reiterated the government’s plan to deliver 100,000 housing units within President Tinubu’s first term, describing housing as a critical pillar of the administration’s development agenda.
He also said efforts were underway to make both home ownership and rental accommodation more affordable for low- and middle-income earners.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Shehu Osidi, said the project marked the outcome of extensive stakeholder engagements aimed at safeguarding the interests of NHF contributors.
He explained that the estate was initially developed under the Bank’s Mega City Housing Programme but faced setbacks after portions were allocated to security agencies, affecting beneficiaries under the Rent-to-Own scheme.
Osidi said the Bank responded with reconciliation meetings, verification exercises, and the setting up of a joint technical committee with Brains and Hammers Limited.
“I am pleased that this effort, supported by the intervention of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has culminated in the resolution being implemented today,” he said.
He assured that all verified beneficiaries would ultimately receive their housing allocations, describing the scheme as a resilient platform for expanding home ownership in Nigeria.
Osidi also explained that the Rent-to-Own model allows contributors to move into homes as tenants and gradually pay towards ownership without the need for equity deposits.
The Project Manager of Brains and Hammers, Tanks Adamu, said the estate comprised fully completed two- and three-bedroom terrace houses fitted with modern infrastructure and amenities.
One of the beneficiaries, Sanusi Dansoro, who also serves as Secretary of the Residents Association, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and FMBN for the initiative.
He said the project demonstrated what could be achieved when government, developers, financial institutions, and citizens work together toward a shared goal.
