By AKOR SYLVESTER-Abuja
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has firmly reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to addressing existing gaps and making a significant, transformative impact on the nation’s housing and urban development sector. During a recent meeting held in Abuja with a Technical Mission from the World Bank, focused on the vital areas of Land Titling, Registration, and Cadastre, Dangiwa expressed his appreciation for the enduring partnership between the Ministry and the World Bank. This collaboration is strategically aimed at resolving the systemic challenges that have historically impeded effective land administration, efficient management, sound governance, and robust urban development.
Reflecting on a recent engagement with the World Bank’s Vice President for Infrastructure, Mr. Guangzhe Chen, along with his team, the Minister highlighted several key areas where the Ministry is seeking both technical expertise and financial assistance from the Bank. These efforts are pivotal in advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda put forth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in streamlining land administration processes and enhancing urban governance across the country.
According to the Minister, some of the priority areas are the Implementation of a National Land Registration and Titling Programme in partnership with State Governments, a move that would unlock over $300 billion dead capital tied up in undocumented land.
He said the initiative would enable the registration, documentation, and titling of all land parcels, development and launch of a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS), Increase the formalization of land transactions from less than 10% to over 50% within the next 10 years, as well as train and deploy technically competent land registration officers nationwide.
Other priority areas for collaboration as stated by the Minister are the Implementation of the National Urban Development Policy which contains vital initiatives for improving the management of urban areas; and the area of development of a Framework to address systemic barriers along the housing value chain.
Dangiwa confidently articulated his enthusiasm about the immense institutional capacity of the Bank, coupled with its robust technical expertise and extensive experience gained over decades from successfully implementing interventions globally. He firmly believes that the Bank will mobilize top experts who have effectively led similar programs in countries like Kenya, Sierra Leone, and South Africa, all of which share comparable contexts with Nigeria. Dangiwa stressed the importance of collaboration among these experts, the Ministry’s team, state governments, and key stakeholders to devise a strategic and impactful implementation plan tailored specifically for Nigeria’s needs.
In addressing the alarming statistic of only 10% of land being registered and titled in the country, Dangiwa acknowledged the serious challenges associated with urban livability. However, he framed these challenges as pivotal opportunities for significant transformation. “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, our Ministry is resolutely committed to making a substantial difference. With the steadfast support of the World Bank through this partnership, I am confident that we are on the precipice of achieving historic progress in Nigeria,” he asserted.
Dangiwa provided a clear timeline for action, set to commence in November, which was previously agreed upon during the Ministry’s meeting with the World Bank in September. He expressed complete assurance that the ongoing technical sessions indicate solid momentum and that progress is unfolding as intended. Furthermore, he proactively sought a detailed timeline for the Integrated Implementation Plan along with the expected deliverables, demonstrating his commitment to accountability and results.
Earlier, Dr. Fuad Malkawi, the Senior Urban Specialist and Task Team Leader of the World Bank’s Technical Mission on Land, articulated the strategic significance of their visit. He highlighted the objective of providing essential support for advancing land governance in Nigeria. Malkawi emphatically noted the importance of identifying the challenges facing the country’s land administration, thoroughly evaluating existing initiatives, and pinpointing strategic areas where the World Bank’s involvement can effectively drive sustainable development.
Malkawi also delved into the Bank’s keen interest in a wide range of land-related issues, from surveying and mapping to property taxation and infrastructure development. He confidently stated that the Bank aims to establish Nigeria as a flagship example within the African region, emphasizing that Nigeria’s tremendous resources and ongoing development initiatives create a unique opportunity to set a standard for the entire continent to follow.
In closing the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, warmly welcomed the World Bank Technical Mission, expressing high expectations for the collaboration’s outcomes. His direct dialogues with Dr. Fuad Malkawi confirmed the World Bank’s readiness to engage deeply in vital areas where the Ministry requires robust support. In a formal statement by Salisu Badamasi Haiba, Director of Information and Public Relations, Ogunbiyi confidently assured the World Bank team of the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to fully support their intervention efforts, further solidifying a partnership poised for success.
