To tackle Nigeria’s urban development challenges, the Federal Government has pledged deeper collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) as the country transitions from policy design to implementation of its newly approved National Urban Development Policy (NUDP).
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, made this declaration in Abuja during a high-level meeting with a delegation from UN-Habitat, led by Senior Human Settlements Officer, Mr. Mathias Spaliviero.
Dangiwa, who described the UN-Habitat team’s presentation as “eye-opening and inspiring,” acknowledged the technical support the agency provided in the review phase of the policy and emphasised the need for strategic partnership to ensure its successful execution.
“Nigeria is undergoing a transformation in the housing and urban development sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the Minister said. “We must now focus on implementation, and we need UN-Habitat to walk with us on this journey—not just as advisers but as active partners.”
The National Urban Development Policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council last week and is structured to guide Nigeria’s urban growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, and the nation’s climate commitments. It aims to address critical issues such as slum upgrading, housing accessibility, land titling, and equitable infrastructure planning.
Dangiwa outlined the ministry’s plans to disseminate the policy to all 36 states and encourage its domestication at sub-national levels. He also stressed the urgency of building technical capacity within the public sector to effectively roll out the policy nationwide.
“We require not only expertise but institutional support systems to translate this into measurable urban reforms,” he added. “UN-Habitat’s experience and reach are instrumental in this regard.”
As part of the broader implementation strategy, the minister highlighted the following priority programmes:
Renewed Hope Cities and Estates: A flagship initiative targeting inclusive urban housing delivery across income levels.
Social Housing Schemes: Designed to support low-income earners through subsidised housing options.
Slum Upgrade and Urban Renewal Programme: Targeting the transformation of informal settlements through infrastructure and human capital development.
National Land Registration and Titling Programme: In collaboration with the World Bank, to address the over 90% of land that remains untitled in Nigeria.
The minister also expressed interest in a Strategic Action Plan on land governance proposed by UN-Habitat and called for pilot initiatives and capacity-building programmes in selected states.
In his remarks, UN-Habitat’s Spaliviero reaffirmed the agency’s support for Nigeria’s urban transformation and called for strategic financial planning, policy coherence, and efficient regulatory frameworks to support slum upgrades and urban regeneration.
“The transformation of urban areas, especially slums, begins with planning and design. Streets are not just conduits for vehicles—they are catalysts for social and economic development,” Spaliviero said. “With proper planning, we can reposition informal settlements as hubs of innovation and inclusion.”
The strengthened collaboration with UN-Habitat comes at a pivotal time as Nigeria battles rapid urbanisation, an ever-growing housing deficit of over 20 million units, and climate-induced displacement. Experts say that if effectively implemented, the NUDP could serve as a model for urban reform across Africa.
Dangiwa concluded with a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to its international obligations and pledged to settle all outstanding financial commitments to UN-Habitat.
“This is not just about policy—it is about legacy,” he stated. “A legacy of cities that work, homes that shelter, and infrastructure that uplifts every Nigerian.”