Civil servants - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Mar, Tue, 2025

Metro

Why many civil servants can’t afford mass housing – REDAN

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By Angela Atabo

Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) says high mortgage interest rates pose a significant obstacle to housing affordability, particularly for low-income civil servants.

The REDAN President, Mr Akintoye Adeoye, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adeoye raised concerns over the soaring mortgage rates in the country, stating that it has become nearly impossible for low-income earners to own homes.

According to him, mass houses are being built by members of REDAN across the country at low-cost housing estates in various states.

He, however, said that in spite of REDAN’s contributions to mass housing, many low-income civil servants still struggle to afford homes due to several key challenges.

“Mortgage rates in Nigeria are typically above 20 per cent, making it nearly impossible for low-income earners to afford home loans.

“REDAN has continuously advocated for reduced mortgage rates, ideally around two to six per cent to enhance affordability and increase home-ownership among civil servants.

“However, the current financial climate still makes it difficult for many to secure affordable financing,” he said.

The REDAN President noted that, at the moment, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is the only institution that offers affordable mortgages at six per cent.

He said that was why REDAN consistently called for the bank’s recapitalisation to enable it to access more funds and provide affordable mortgages for Nigerians.

“If there is any major issue affecting housing today, mortgage accessibility will rank first.

“Without a functional and accessible mortgage system, many Nigerians will continue to be unable to afford homes.

“An inadequate supply of affordable housing finance remains a major challenge in the real estate sector.

“Without access to low-interest funding, developers are compelled to depend on costly commercial loans, which significantly raise the price of housing units,” he said.

He said the situation has not only put financial strain on developers but also discouraged large-scale investment in mass housing projects.

The REDAN President added that lack of accessible mortgage options has further worsened the challenge of housing affordability for civil servants,

“The National Housing Fund (NHF) offers low-interest mortgage loans, but many civil servants either do not meet the eligibility criteria or experience long delays in securing funds.

“This challenge is also attributed to FMBN’s limited liquidity for NHF loan disbursement.“Low salary structures often make it difficult for civil servants to meet mortgage requirements, leaving many unable to afford home ownership.

“As a result of these factors, numerous low-income civil servants are left without viable housing solutions, notwithstanding REDAN’s continuous efforts to address the housing deficit,” he said

Adeoye said addressing the challenges required a multi-faceted approach, including recapitalisation of FMBN, policy reforms and increased government support for real estate developers.

Other approaches, according to him are, enhanced financing options for both developers and homebuyers, lowering mortgage rates and streamlining land acquisition processes.

Adeoye reiterated that, improving access to affordable housing finance is a critical step toward making homeownership a reality for low-income civil servants. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Sat, 2025

Metro

Public service: FCTA builds leadership capacities of young civil servants

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By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a capacity building programme to nurture leadership abilities of young civil servants for effective public service.

Mr Grace Adayilo, Head of FCT Civil Service stated this in Abuja on Friday, at the opening of the1st Cohort of the FCT Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (FCT LEAD-P).

Adayilo explained that the FCT LEAD-P was one of three core training programmes established under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), 2020 to 2025.

She said that the programme specifically targets civil servants on grades level 10 to 14, made up of highly talented individuals deemed essential for the succession planning and transformation of the civil service.

According to her, the programme is strategically designed to attract, recruit, and nurture these individuals through a comprehensive array of training activities.

“LEAD-P is regarded as a pivotal element for the future of public service, with its guidelines informed by the FCSSIP, policies governing leadership management and succession planning in the civil service.

“Establishment of the FCT LEAD-P is a crucial step toward ensuring that we have a pool of highly skilled and capable leaders ready to take on the challenges of governing our vibrant capital territory.”

She disclosed that the FCT LEAD-P aims to train a minimum of 100 officers every year to cultivate a new generation of leaders.

She added that the officer would be equipped not only with the requisite knowledge and skills but also with resilience, adaptability, and a strong commitment to FCT’s shared vision of public service excellence.

Adayilo said that the move would establish a solid foundation for effective succession planning that fosters a culture of self-development, designed to enrich the civil service landscape.

The head of service commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for approving the programme, which demonstrated his commitment and visionary leadership.

She encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunities for learning, networking, and personal growth that lie ahead.

The Permanent Secretary, Common Services, FCTA, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, said that the programme marks a significant and transformative chapter in the journey toward building a dynamic and efficient civil service in the FCT.

“This programme is not just an educational endeavour; it is a gateway to self-discovery and professional growth.

“Our commitment extends beyond mere training; it is about nurturing a culture of leadership that resonates throughout every level of our administration.

“Each successful cohort of this programme will be regarded as the elite crop of civil servants, distinguished by the depth of knowledge and expertise they have acquired,” he said.

On her part, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, acting Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, FCTA, said that the programme was the first of its kind in the history of the FCT.

“This is the first time this is happening in the FCTA to fill the identified gaps in service delivery following a result of a baseline research,” she said.

Ahmadu Said that 975 officers applied for the programme, out of which only 100 would be selected for a 7-months training within and outside the FCT.

She said that the officers would be trained to fill the gap in the next generation of leaders when their time comes to become directors, permanent secretaries or head of service.

She explained that the officer would be trained to work in any of FCTA’s secretariats, departments and agencies, including serving as technical assistants to political appointees. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Muhyideen Jimoh
Nov, Wed, 2024

General News

Nasarawa govt, FMBN to deliver affordable homes for civil servants

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By Angela Atabo

The Nasarawa Government and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) have agreed on a partnership to deliver affordable homes for civil servants in the state.

Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, made this known when he led a delegation of the State Government on a visit to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Shehu Osidi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

”When we got into office, we reeled out plans to industrialise the state and to ensure peace and security.

”The next plan is to take care of our civil servants by getting them affordable houses so they would be comfortable enough to deliver on their mandate.

“So in Nasarawa state ,we passed a law on all the government houses that occupiers of those houses are now going to own them

“We have started an owner-occupier policy and a lot of the civil servants living in those houses really do not have the money to pay for the houses at once,” he said.

Akabe said the government visited FMBN to explore ways the bank would assist civil servants to obtain houses under any of its loan products.

“Something like a mortgage facility for these civil servants to own their houses.

“It is part of the plea that I brought here, because we have about 141 of those houses available for the civil servants to own. So I am bringing the cry here to see if some facilities available for them.

“We are looking forward to more collaboration between Nasarawa state and FMBN because we believe that there are many avenues that are there for us to collaborate to uplift the living standards of our people,”

Responding, Osidi, expressed the willingness of the bank to provide mortgage services to the civil servants .

Osidi said,“ we are going to help them own houses through our regular national housing fund because they will be unable to raise the 10 per cent equity.

“We will consider this under our rent to own housing scheme so workers can own the properties.”

Osidi added that there were other federal government houses completed in the state not yet off taken.

“We will enter into a sort of arrangement where the state government can take those houses and allocate them to civil servants.

“That way instead of 141 people owning houses we will now have 241 people.”

According to Osidi, FMBN has been in partnership with Nasarawa state and has carried out some projects through the support of Governor Abdullahi Sule .

He said FMBN through the NHF scheme has disbursed housing loans to numerous beneficiaries.

He added that under the home renovation loan window, FMBN advanced N7.7b to 8,754 indigenes of Nasarawa state while 105 NHF beneficiaries recently became homeowners under FMBN’s Rent-to-Own scheme with mortgages in the sum of N666m.

Osidi said the bank is poised to provide mortgage finance for off-takers of completed housing units in the fast-developing Nasarawa Technology Village.

He added that the bank has also financed more than 11 housing projects in the state and delivered 632 housing units under the Cooperative Housing Development Loan in the sum of N6.6 billion among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza