The federal government has announced plans to impose financial penalties on owners of unoccupied buildings as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, revealed this in an exclusive interview with The Nation, stating that property owners who fail to lease or sell their vacant buildings may face higher ground rent charges.
“If we claim there is a housing deficit while so many buildings remain unoccupied, then something is wrong.
“We can’t force anyone to lease or sell, but we can make it financially inconvenient to hold onto empty properties. For instance, if you refuse to rent out a house worth N5 million annually, but the government imposes a N3 million ground rent, you’ll be more inclined to lease it rather than bear the high cost.”
Dangiwa revealed that to drive this policy, the ministry is conducting a nationwide census of unoccupied buildings, which the minister said would soon be completed.
According to him, legal experts are reviewing the best approach to implement these measures without infringing on property rights.
Also, he announced that the government is cracking down on contractors delivering substandard work on the Renewed Hope City housing projects.
The minister revealed that some contractors have been using poor-quality materials and cutting corners, expecting to fix defects later during plastering.
“We have received reports of substandard construction, and we will not tolerate it. Any contractor found guilty will face sanctions, including contract termination,” he warned.
Dangiwa noted that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has strengthened its supervision structure, with liaison offices in all 36 states staffed by experts, including architects, quantity surveyors, and builders to ensure compliance.
He maintained confidence that the government’s decisive stance signals a shift toward stricter housing regulations, aimed at tackling both the affordability crisis and the quality of housing in Nigeria.
