By Angela Atabo
The Federal Government has handed over keys to beneficiaries of its Rent-to-Own housing programme at the Nasarawa Technology Village, Karu, in Nasarawa State.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, performed the handover ceremony on Monday, describing the development as a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.
Darma said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, was committed to making decent and affordable housing more accessible to Nigerians.
He said the initiative reflected the government’s determination to translate its housing policies into tangible benefits for citizens, particularly those seeking affordable homeownership opportunities.
The minister explained that the houses were funded by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and developed by Modern Shelter Systems and Services Ltd. under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement with the Nasarawa State Government.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of President Bola Tinubu places housing at the centre of efforts to improve the living conditions and welfare of Nigerians.
Darma stressed that the housing agenda was not merely about constructing physical structures but about putting people at the centre of government policies and programmes.
He added that the initiative was also aimed at restoring citizens’ confidence in public institutions by ensuring that government commitments translated into practical outcomes.
The minister congratulated the beneficiaries for finally receiving their homes and assured them that the government would continue to expand access to affordable housing across the country.
He said the government would pursue housing development through the Federal Housing Authority, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and projects directly undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Darma urged Nigerians to continue supporting the administration, assuring that the government remained committed to fulfilling its promises and delivering meaningful interventions in the housing sector.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Shehu Osidi, said the houses were financed by FMBN and developed by Modern Shelter Systems and Services Ltd.
Osidi described the handover ceremony as a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to its customers, institutional responsibility and effective stakeholder management.
He said the occasion was particularly significant because it represented a promise kept by the institution to beneficiaries who had contributed to the National Housing Fund.
Osidi explained that FMBN had funded the Brains & Hammers Bungalow City project in 2019 to provide homes for contributors to the National Housing Fund.
He said the subsequent allocation of part of the estate to security agencies prevented some of the profiled beneficiaries from taking possession of the homes originally earmarked for them.
According to him, FMBN subsequently collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the situation.
He said the process involved reconciliation and verification exercises, technical assessments, engagements with the developer and inspections of alternative housing locations.
Osidi disclosed that an agreement was eventually reached to accommodate 400 of the 651 profiled off-takers at the Bungalow City, while efforts continued to provide housing solutions for the remaining beneficiaries.
He said the objective throughout the process had been to protect the interests of beneficiaries and ensure that every legitimate contributor received the value of his or her contributions.
The FMBN boss assured the remaining 122 beneficiaries that their houses would be completed and ready for allocation before the end of 2026, in line with the directive of the minister.
He added that FMBN expected to return to the site by December 2026 to commission the additional 122 housing units alongside another 190 housing units being funded by the bank.
Osidi particularly commended the Managing Director of Modern Shelter Systems and Services Limited, Arc. Abdulmalik Mahdi, for partnering with FMBN to make the houses available to the beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency,, said the development of the Nasarawa Technology Village was consistent with the state government’s economic development and urban renewal strategy.
Abdullahi said the state government’s role was to create an enabling environment for housing and other development projects to thrive, while commending FMBN for demonstrating that public financial institutions could restore confidence in the housing market and support Nigerians seeking affordable homes.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Nnamdi Iwochukwu, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the minister and FMBN for ensuring that affected subscribers eventually received their homes.
He described the development as a manifestation of the Renewed Hope Agenda that would provide many middle-class Nigerians with an opportunity to become homeowners.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Aisha Akowe, also commended the FMBN management for what she described as responsibility, commitment and excellent customer service in ensuring that the long-delayed housing allocations were finally resolved. (NAN)
Edited by Abfulwahab Deji