In a bold move to address housing insecurity among Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, the Federal Government has announced plans to provide 77,400 housing units across all 774 local government areas as part of its Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme.
The initiative, aimed at internally displaced persons (IDPs), widows, and low- and no-income earners, is a product of collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. According to an insider in the Housing Ministry, the programme is designed to offer 100 housing units per local government area, focusing on individuals affected by conflict, displacement, and extreme poverty.
“The Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme will ensure that no part of the country is left behind. Each LGA will receive 100 units, bringing the total to 77,400. This is a nationwide social intervention with humanitarian impact,” the official disclosed under anonymity.
At the heart of the programme are IDPs, who continue to suffer from protracted displacement due to insurgency in the North-East, communal conflicts in the Middle Belt, and natural disasters in the South. Vulnerable groups such as widows, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities are also prioritized.
The homes will be given entirely free to those without any form of income, while low-income earners—those earning N77,000 or less per month—will benefit from highly subsidised housing, with repayment plans stretched across decades to ensure affordability.
“Low-income earners will only pay a small fraction of their income monthly until retirement. Even with that, the Federal Government will absorb the bulk of the cost. This ensures that the poor are not excluded from dignified housing,” the official added.
Although the programme is yet to be officially launched, it is currently awaiting residential approval from relevant authorities. Once granted, full implementation and beneficiary selection will commence. “We are confident that the approval will come soon. Once that happens, modalities for application and allocation will be announced publicly,” the source noted.
For effective delivery and proper identification of eligible beneficiaries, the Ministry of Housing will work closely with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, which already manages a nationwide database of vulnerable Nigerians.
“They already have mechanisms to identify people living in poverty, displaced individuals, and vulnerable households. So, collaboration will help avoid duplication and ensure transparency,” the official explained.
This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the housing deficit in Nigeria, which experts estimate at over 28 million units. Internally displaced persons, many of whom have lived in temporary shelters for years, face severe challenges in accessing safe and secure accommodation.
In states like Borno, Benue, Zamfara, and Cross River, thousands of families live in overcrowded IDP camps or makeshift structures with limited access to clean water, electricity, and healthcare. The Renewed Hope Programme seeks to restore dignity to these affected populations by providing durable homes equipped with basic amenities.
Housing and humanitarian experts have welcomed the plan, calling it a “landmark policy” in addressing socio-economic inequality.
“This could be a turning point for Nigeria’s housing crisis, especially if implementation is transparent and devoid of political interference,” said Dr. Hadiza Sule, a housing policy analyst at the Nigerian Institute for Urban Studies.
She stressed that bridging the housing gap would also stimulate local economies through construction jobs and supply chains.
The Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme reflects President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and poverty alleviation. With the housing scheme set to launch soon, stakeholders are hopeful that it will transform the lives of Nigeria’s most neglected populations.
As Nigerians await the official rollout, all eyes will be on the Federal Government to follow through on this ambitious promise—one that could redefine the standard of living for millions.