• FG targets stronger regulation, reforms to tackle 15m housing deficitEmmanuel Addeh in AbujaThe Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has disclosed Nigeria’s housing and construction sector contributed more than N77 trillion to the nation’s economy in 2025. He explained that the proposed National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy seeks to introduce licensing for developers and estate agents, escrow protection for buyers’ funds, improved professional standards, enhanced construction quality, better land administration, urban renewal without displacement and the establishment of a National Housing Data Observatory. He urged stakeholders to rigorously examine the methodology, stressing that credible housing data remains fundamental to effective planning, policy formulation and investment decisions. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, emphasised the need for reliable, homegrown housing data, saying meaningful housing reforms could only be built on accurate information. According to him, the partnership would also encourage Saudi developers to invest in Nigeria’s housing market while strengthening long-standing diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.