Buhari: President says Nigeria needs 1M houses yearly

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria requires 1million houses annually to reduce its current national housing deficit of about 17 million.

According to the president, to avert housing crisis by the year 2020, at least, 1 million houses must be built across the country yearly.  

Buhari stated this during the 35 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and International Symposium of Shelter Afrique held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday June 1, 2016 with the theme ‘Housing Africa’s Low Income Urban Population.’

The president, who was represented by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said the Federal Government has earmarked N40 billion in the 2016 capital budget to implement a comprehensive housing programme in the country.

“The government intends to directly supply housing stocks in urban areas across all the geo-political zones under its Comprehensive Housing Programme,” Buhari said.

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The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) thanked the delegates for attending the conference and urged them to brainstorm and find lasting solution to housing challenges in Africa.

The Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Shelter Afrique, Mr. James Mugerwa, said that the organization has invested USD50 million in the sector and has created 30 million jobs for construction workers across the continent.