Fubara, Dangiwa, experts say PPP approach can bridge Nigeria’s housing gap

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), if applied in the real estate sector, is capable of bridging the huge housing gap in the country.

Governor Fubara, who was represented by Dagogo Wokoma, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, stated this on Wednesday at the BusinessDay South-East/South-South Real Estate Exhibition and Investment Summit 2026 in Port Harcourt.

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The summit with the theme, Addressing Nigeria’s Housing Deficit With Innovative Solutions, attracted a large crowd of policymakers, industry players and other stakeholders.

Fubara’s position aligned with that of Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development as well as that of Mustapha Njie, the keynote speaker, who also called for the adoption of the PPP model, among other options, in order to reduce the huge housing deficit of over 20 million housing units.

Fubara described the event as timely as real estate is one of the critical drivers of economic growth, job creation and transformation.

He said his administration is committed to creating the right environment for businesses including real estate to thrive while seeking partnerships for a solid foundation.

He said, “This event is both timely and strategic. Real estate remains one of the most critical drivers of economic development, urban transformation, and wealth creation across the globe.

“Here in Rivers State, we recognize the immense potential within this sector not only as a source of investment opportunities, but also as a vehicle for addressing housing deficits, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life of the people.

“Our administration is deeply committed to creating an enabling environment for investors and stakeholders in the real estate ecosystem. Through policy reforms, infrastructural development, and strengthened partnerships between the public and private sectors, we are laying a solid foundation for a more vibrant and resilient property market.

“The exhibition provides a valuable platform for engagement – bringing together developers, investors, financial institutions, policymakers and innovation. It is an opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge solutions, and forge partnerships that will shape the future of urban living in Rivers State and beyond.”

Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development said the President Bola Tinubu-led Administration is strengthening mortgage financing and local production of building materials, in a bid to bridge Nigeria’s growing housing deficit.

Dangiwa said the Administration is focused on initiating structural reforms, improving land administration, titling and documentation and others.

Dangiwa, who was represented by Queen Takerhi, Federal Lands Officer, Rivers State, commended BusinessDay for “creating a platform that brings together governments, investors, developers, financial institutions and other stakeholders to focus on one of the most important development issues of our time: how to address Nigerian housing deficits with innovation solutions.

“Housing is not just about building. It is about dignity, stability, and economic opportunity. A decent home provides families with security and comfort. At the same time, the housing sector is a powerful driver of economic growth, job creation and national development,” he said.

Dangiwa noted that Nigeria is confronted with a significant housing deficit, adding that addressing the challenge required bold thinking, strong partnerships, and innovation financing models.

“That is exactly what the Federal Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu is doing through the Renewed Hope Housing Programme. Our approach is clear.

“We are moving away from fragmented effort towards a coordinated national housing delivery system that mobilizes government institutions, private investors, developers, financial institutions and state governments to deliver housing at scale.

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“The Renewed Hope Housing Programme operates through three key components: First, Renewed Hope Cities, which are large-scale urban developments designed to create modern, well-planned communities with housing for different income groups.

“Second, Renewed Hope Estates, which are being replicated across the country to deliver affordable homes in partnership with state governments and private developers.

“Third, Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates which are designed to ensure that low income and vulnerable Nigerians are not left behind in our national housing agenda.

“Through this initiative, we are demonstrating that housing delivery in Nigeria can move from promises to actual construction and delivery,” he said.

The minister however noted that, “Government cannot do this alone. Housing delivery at the scale Nigeria needs requires strong private sector participation. This is why we are working actively to create an enabling environment for investors, developers and financiers to participate in the housing sector.”

Njie, who is the Managing Director, TAF Africa Global Limited/Greater TAF Nigeria Limited, in his keynote address, also called for improved access to funding, reforms in land administration, and use of local manpower and resources to reduce costs.

Earlier in their goodwill messages, Goodwill messages: Jones Idikio, Director-General of the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture said Nigeria has a housing deficit of 20 million housing units.

He noted that “Nobody has done a year-on-year evaluation of the housing deficit. The only one done in the Niger Delta was by the NDDC in 2003.”

Oriaku Hansen, Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) Real Estate Trade Group, described housing deficit as “a human crisis affecting multiple sectors of the economy” and stressed the need to move beyond conventional approaches and imbibe cutting edge technology.