House Of Representatives Initiates Investigation Into Family Homes Funds
The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into Family Homes Funds Limited, a federal government establishment tasked with constructing 500,000 affordable housing units.
The investigation follows the adoption of a motion sponsored by a member from Edo State, Esosa Iyawe, citing concerns over the project’s slow progress and allegations that the few completed houses are unaffordable and located in obscure areas.
Leading the debate, Mr. Iyawe emphasized the significance of the housing sector, noting that Nigeria’s housing deficit stands at 28 million units, with an estimated funding requirement of 21 trillion naira.
According to him, Family Homes Funds Limited was established in 2018 with a budget of 1.5 trillion naira to address the housing deficit, however, the project has faced criticism for failing to deliver affordable housing units.
“Also notes that in 2021 the World Bank estimated that Nigeria’s housing deficit stood at 15.56 million units, and in 2023, the Federal Government put the housing deficit statistics at 28 million units with an estimated funding need of 21 trillion naira;
“Concerned that some of the housing schemes initiated by the Federal Government have been mired in controversy, the consequence of which is the rapid growth of informal settlements, and slums on the edge of Nigeria’s major cities, with obvious drawbacks for economic development, health, safety and security;
“Aware that in a bid to address the housing deficit in 2018, the Federal Government established the Family Homes Fund Limited with a mandate to utilize the sum of 1.5 Trillion Naira for the construction of at least 500,000 houses for low-income earners across the country.
“Also concerned that to date, not only has Family Homes Fund Limited failed to live up to expectations, but the few houses built are in obscure locations and unaffordable to the target audience for the scheme;
“Cognizant that the undelivered project has tied up government funds, potentially leading to deterioration of the houses and further economic loss, if not addressed promptly” the motion read.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Housing and Public Assets to investigate the project’s status and report back within four weeks.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is meeting with the staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in Abuja in an effort to resolve the ongoing industrial strike action that has disrupted flight operations across the country.
The closed-door meeting seeks to address grievances raised by NiMET workers, including the non-implementation of the national minimum wage, exclusion of certain employees from past allowances, and the neglect of critical training programmes.
Present at the meeting were the Director General of NiMET, representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Union of Transport Employees, and other key stakeholders.
Also in attendance are members of several unions, including the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Union of Air Transport Employees.
The strike, now in its second day, has significantly affected flight schedules at several airports, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, leaving passengers stranded.
In a statement, Air Peace cited safety concerns as the reason for its decision to suspend flights amid the disruption
In a bid to improve access to affordable housing across Nigeria, the Nigeria Government is set to introduce tax incentives aimed to reduce the burden on real estate developers and building material suppliers,
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, made this known at a Building and Construction Industry Forum in Abuja.
Mr. Oyedele noted that the recently signed tax reform bills include provisions that would lower the cost of building materials and stimulate investment in the construction sector.
According to him,“It will reduce the tax burden—whether you’re buying, building, or selling real estate,”
“That’s the essence of these reforms: to make life better for everyone and to boost economic activities in the building and construction sector, and by extension, the entire economy.”
He emphasized that the government’s commitment to creating more accessible mortgage options for Nigerians across all income levels and called for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders to address persistent issues such as multiple taxation.
Also speaking at the forum, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa—represented by Director of Public Building, Mr. Temitope Gbemi—highlighted the potential of the tax reforms to integrate the informal economy into the formal construction sector.
He encouraged builders and developers to incorporate capital gains into project planning for better cost documentation and tax planning.
Dr. Samson Opaluwa, Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), expressed optimism that the reforms would enhance revenue generation within the sector.
He underscored the need for inclusive discussions given the industry’s composition.
“This industry is largely driven by SMEs, which produce about 60 to 70 percent of the country’s housing stock,” he noted.
On his part, the Executive Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Mr. Festus Adebayo, stressed the need for the government to provide incentives to developers interested in social housing. He criticized the high costs, multiple charges, and bureaucratic hurdles that make affordable housing a distant reality.
The Federal Government has commenced a three-day Induction Programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The programme is designed to strengthen strategic leadership and policy execution at the topmost level of the federal bureaucracy.
Declaring the programme open, in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the appointees and described their roles as critical to effective governance and national development.
The Head of Service who noted that Permanent Secretaries serve as the engine room of government, responsible for driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and service-wide reform urged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of integrity, diligence, and teamwork,
She stressed that the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25) depends significantly on their leadership.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she said.
In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The Sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal Minister of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, as well as the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
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