By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
For so many Nigerians, the dream of owning a home often feels just out of reach. It seems like a dream held back not only by rising construction costs or limited financing but also by land that exists but cannot be used. Across the country, vast parcels of land lie idle, not because they lack value, but because they are trapped in a system of fragmented documentation, unclear ownership, and outdated administration.
Now, the Federal Government has stated that it is moving to change that narrative with a reform agenda that could unlock more than N300 billion in dormant land assets. The announcement came from the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, while speaking at the Africa Women in Housing and Construction Conference and Business Expo 2026 in Abuja. His message is that Nigeria can significantly reduce its housing deficit by improving land administration.
A System Holding Back Its Own Potential
Belgore argues that Nigeria’s housing sector struggles not from land scarcity but from inefficient land management. Fragmented and poorly documented land records hinder verification, transfer, and development, effectively excluding valuable land from the formal economy. To combat this, the government’s National Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme digitises land records, improves land governance, and strengthens tenure security nationwide. Belgore states this initiative unlocks over N300 billion in dormant land assets by bringing clarity, structure, and trust to land ownership, thus facilitating engagement in the property market.
Beyond Land: A Broader Housing Strategy
The land reform effort is not happening in isolation. Belgore noted that it forms part of a broader strategy by the ministry to tackle Nigeria’s housing challenges through improved land administration, housing finance, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
One of the key pillars of this approach is the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities Programme, which aims to deliver more than 50,000 housing units nationwide.
So far, 14 housing project sites are active across the country, comprising three major housing cities and eleven estates. Among them, the largest is the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, which is expected to deliver 3,112 housing units when completed.
These developments, if delivered as planned, could significantly expand housing supply. Yet for many observers, the real test will be whether such projects translate into homes that are accessible and affordable for ordinary Nigerians.
The Women Driving Change And the Barriers They Face
The conference also spotlighted a critical but often underrepresented dimension of the housing sector, which is the role of women. Belgore acknowledged that women are playing important roles within the ministry and across the built environment, contributing to housing delivery, urban renewal, and infrastructure development.
However, industry voices at the event highlighted that participation does not always equate to equal opportunity. The conference convener, Flora Anne, said the platform was created to connect women professionals across architecture, engineering, construction, town planning, and real estate development, fields that often operate in silos.
“Most times, professionals in the built environment work in silos. What we are trying to do is bring architects, quantity surveyors, town planners and builders together so we can discuss the challenges and find solutions. Among those challenges, access to finance stands out,” she said
Anne noted that limited access to funding remains one of the biggest obstacles for women developers in the sector, limiting their ability to take on projects and scale their impact. The issue also extends to property ownership, where structural and financial barriers continue to limit opportunities for many women.
Reform as a Foundation for Change
At its core, the government’s plan to unlock N300 billion in land assets is about more than numbers; it is about laying a stronger foundation for Nigeria’s housing market. By improving land documentation and governance, the reforms aim to make land more usable, more valuable, and more accessible. In turn, this could encourage investment, boost housing development, and gradually ease the pressure on a sector struggling to meet demand.
Nevertheless, like many policy initiatives, the outcome relies on how well the reforms are implemented. This depends on the effectiveness of the execution, the extent of adoption, and the transparency in management.
For now, the promise is significant: a future where land is no longer a bottleneck but a catalyst for growth. And for Nigerians still searching for a place to call their own, this shift could make all the difference.