By Tracy Moses
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding housing delivery across Nigeria with the commencement of a 216-unit housing estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of efforts to address the country’s housing deficit and deepen access to affordable homes.
The project, known as the FHA Green City Estate, is being developed in partnership with Greenpasture Dynamic Land & Homes Limited and is located in the Wasa District along the Apo-Wasa Expressway, Abuja.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FHA, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, said the Authority was scaling up housing development across the country in line with the Federal Government’s housing agenda.
Represented by the Executive Director, Estate Services, Arc. Nya-Etok Ezekiel, Ojo said the Authority had already secured land in several states and commenced preliminary activities for new housing projects nationwide.
“In readiness to have our presence in all the regions of the country, we have visited 28 states, where land have been given to us. We have also commenced the process of constructions in some of the states, having procured the contracts,” he said.
The FHA boss explained that the Authority had already performed groundbreaking ceremonies for its Renewed Hope Estates in Umuahia, Abia State; Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; and Kaduna State, adding that extensive preparations were underway to ensure smooth implementation of the projects.
“Since then, our management has been working tirelessly to bring these projects to reality. We have called for and received tenders for them. We are however double checking all aspects of the job before starting the project, so that we will not encounter any major challenges that could stall the work once we start, in keeping with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge that the days of abandoned projects are over,” he stated.
The Abuja development will occupy five hectares of land allocated by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and will comprise 80 units of two-bedroom apartments, 56 units of three-bedroom apartments, 35 units of three-bedroom terrace duplexes and 45 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes.
Ojo described the project as another milestone in the Authority’s efforts to bridge the nation’s housing gap through strategic collaboration with the private sector.
“We in Federal Housing Authority remain resolute in our resolve in pursuit of the mandate given to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to not only facilitate access to decent housing and to bridge the housing deficit in our country, but to also revitalise and turn Federal Housing Authority to a viable and performing government agency,” he said.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies housing as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation and social development.
“Beyond providing homes, this project has ripples of value chain effects. It will create employment opportunities for artisans, engineers, architects, surveyors, suppliers, and numerous other professionals throughout the construction period. It will stimulate economic activities within Wasa and its environs while contributing significantly to the development of the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.
The FHA Managing Director also highlighted ongoing institutional reforms aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery within the Authority.
According to him, the agency has commenced the digitalisation of its property records and is working towards full automation of its operations.
“Our management also is building a new Federal Housing Authority where our allottees’ properties are secured, our services faster and seamless. To achieve this, we initiated the digitalisation of the Authority’s property files, which are now secured in the Galaxy backbone. We are working for the full automation of all other aspects of the Authority’s operations,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Authority is developing a 336-unit housing estate in Bwari, Abuja, with plans to commission the project before the end of the year.
Ojo added that within the last 26 months, the Authority had completed and commissioned several inherited projects, including 100 housing units in Ajoda, Ibadan, as well as developments in Lugbe and Gwarinpa, Abuja.
“These were all projects we inherited from our predecessors, that were termed almost unachievable,” he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Greenpasture Dynamic Land & Homes Limited, Engr. Oluwale Oloyede, described the partnership with the FHA as a model for accelerating housing delivery through public-private collaboration.
“This partnership represents what can be achieved when public institutions and responsible private sector organizations work together for the common good,” he said.
Oloyede said the FHA Green City Estate was designed to cater to a broad range of home seekers, including young professionals, growing families, first-time homeowners, cooperative societies, institutional buyers and Nigerians in the diaspora.
He added that the estate would feature modern infrastructure such as internal road networks, drainage systems, power facilities, security installations, recreational spaces and controlled access systems.
“Our vision is simple but ambitious: we want to create a modern, affordable, secure, and sustainable residential community that meets the housing aspirations of Nigerians while delivering exceptional value to investors,” he said.
Also speaking, the District Head of Garki, Town Planner Stephen Jacob Garki, urged developers to ensure that affordability remains central to housing delivery efforts.
“Like we all know, shelter is a basic necessity of man. Because of the inflation experienced in the country, the rural poor is the most affected. Housing is one thing, affordability is another thing. So, partners should ensure that the poorest of the poor should be able to afford housing,” he said.
His remarks reflect growing concerns within the housing sector that increasing the supply of homes must be matched by measures that make housing accessible to low- and middle-income earners.
With new projects underway in the Federal Capital Territory and additional developments planned across several states, the FHA says it is positioning itself to play a more active role in delivering housing infrastructure and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce the nation’s housing deficit.