- The 13th meeting of the Council was held in Gombe State, from November 11 to November 15, 2024.
- The venue was the International Conference Centre, Airport Road, Gombe.
- The theme for this session was “Housing the Future: Affordable Housing for Economic Growth, Climate Resilience and Urban Development.”
- Participants included:
- State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries for Housing, Lands & Urban Development from all states.
- General Managers / CEOs of State Housing Corporations, State Surveyors-General, and professionals and regulatory bodies in the built environment.
- Officials from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, including the Minister, Minister of State, Permanent Secretary, and directors.
Core Focus Areas and Challenges Addressed
According to the official agenda and published remarks, the meeting targeted several urgent issues facing Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector. Key among them were:
- Affordable housing provision for all income levels, especially low-income earners — a push to make safe, decent housing more accessible nationwide.
- Addressing the national housing deficit: the council recognised the significant gap between demand and supply of decent homes in Nigeria — a gap that undermines economic growth, social stability, and quality of life.
- Tackling building collapse and structural failures: a major concern highlighted was the recurring menace of building collapse across the country. The Council resolved to confront this through regulatory oversight, enforcement of building standards, and stronger accountability.
- Promoting sustainable and climate-resilient urban development: given the urbanization trends and climate risks, the council emphasised integrating environmental/climate considerations into housing and urban planning.
- Stimulating investment in housing and building sector: through policies that encourage domestic investment, public-private partnerships, and regulatory reforms — to increase housing stock and improve quality of construction.
- Establishing a robust data infrastructure for housing: Recognizing that good policy relies on good data, the Council initiated steps to gather accurate national housing data — to better estimate demand, plan interventions, and monitor outcomes.
✅ Expected Outcomes & Policy Responses
Based on statements at the meeting, the following actions or reforms were proposed / initiated:
- Creation of a committee of some 10 agencies tasked with carrying out a nationwide housing-deficit survey, to produce accurate data on housing needs.
- Establishment (or strengthening) of regulatory frameworks, including disciplinary structures, to enforce building codes and sanction violations — especially to reduce building collapse incidents.
- Encouragement of private-sector participation and investment in housing development — to boost supply, reduce housing costs, and support the national agenda for economic growth through housing infrastructure.
- Emphasis on climate-resilient and sustainable urban planning, to ensure housing developments are environmentally sound and resilient to climate change/urban pressures.
📌 Significance for Gombe State and Nigeria
Since the council was hosted in Gombe, the meeting draws particular attention to states like yours (in northern Nigeria) — highlighting government intent to extend housing investment beyond just major metros. The focus on affordable housing, data-driven planning, and regulatory enforcement reflects a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable housing policy.
For Nigeria broadly, the 13th Council’s agenda suggests a renewed push to reduce the housing deficit, improve building safety, and integrate climate and urban-development considerations into housing delivery.
