N25m Homes Out of Reach for Middle-Income Earners, Says New Housing Minister

By Victor Idajili

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, says houses priced at N25 million and above in Abuja and other cities are no longer affordable for middle-income Nigerians and will be reviewed under his administration.  

Darma spoke on Monday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja after assuming office. He warned that officials who attempt to frustrate his reform agenda would be removed.  

“A one-bedroom house selling in Abuja for N25 million or N30 million is not for the middle class,” the minister said. “We will look into it and ensure houses are affordable.”  

He dismissed political rhetoric and said the ministry would operate on measurable targets.  

“I am not one of those who do political talks. Anyone who tries to sabotage our efforts will have to leave,” he said. “If after three months we set a target and fail to achieve it, then it means we are failing.”  

Darma questioned the sustainability of some ongoing projects, noting that proper planning should have accounted for long-term viability. He added that houses sold to civil servants should not be maintained with government funds.  

The minister said he would meet with directors to carry out a comprehensive review of the ministry before engaging stakeholders and presenting an action plan to the President.  

“In the next few days, we shall sit with the directors to look at the ministry comprehensively,” he said.  

Earlier, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, said the ministry had recorded milestones in housing delivery through public-private partnerships.  

He, however, noted that funding gaps and delayed budgetary releases had slowed implementation.  

“The ministry continues to face challenges, particularly inadequate and delayed release of budgetary allocations,” Ata said.