THE FEDERAL Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Dangote Cement Plc and other key industry stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of affordable and inclusive housing across Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the country’s housing deficit and improve access to decent homes for low-income earners and workers in the informal sector.
The renewed commitment was highlighted at the 2026 Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), where government officials, policymakers, industry leaders and housing experts commended Dangote Cement for its sustained contribution to affordable housing and infrastructure development in Nigeria.
Stakeholders at the event described the company as a strategic partner in addressing the nation’s housing challenges through the provision of quality building materials and continued support for initiatives aimed at expanding home ownership.
They also praised the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, for his enduring commitment to Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation. According to them, his investments across key sectors continue to stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and strengthen industrial development across the continent.
Speaking during a visit to the Dangote Cement pavilion at the exhibition, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Muttaka Rabe Darma, reiterated the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate with the company in tackling Nigeria’s housing deficit.
He noted that the theme of this year’s exhibition, “Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa,” aligns with the government’s policy direction of expanding access to affordable, inclusive and sustainable housing for underserved populations.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja International Housing Show, Festus Adebayo, also acknowledged Dangote Cement’s longstanding support for the annual event, describing the company as a dependable partner whose contributions have played a significant role in the growth and success of the exhibition.
According to Adebayo, Dangote Industries Limited is the principal sponsor of the 20th edition of the housing show, while Dangote Cement is showcasing innovative products and building solutions designed to support sustainable housing development and improve construction efficiency.
Speaking on behalf of the National Sales Director of Dangote Cement, Dolapo Alli, the company’s Regional Sales Director for North Central, Mr. Bankole George, said housing remains fundamental to human dignity, social stability, economic productivity and inclusive national development.
George identified high land acquisition costs, rising prices of construction materials, inadequate access to mortgage financing, weak rental frameworks and regulatory bottlenecks as some of the major obstacles preventing millions of Nigerians from accessing affordable housing.
To address these challenges, he advocated the adoption of innovative housing finance models tailored to the needs of low-income earners and workers in the informal sector. These, he said, should include micro-mortgage schemes, rent-to-own programmes, cooperative savings initiatives, employer-assisted housing schemes and incremental housing loans that allow beneficiaries to build homes in phases.
Calls for greater collaboration among governments, legislators, private sector players and development partners also featured prominently during the event.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, urged lawmakers across Africa to champion legislative reforms that would strengthen housing delivery and create an enabling environment for investment in the sector.
Similarly, former Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, called for innovative financing mechanisms and stronger public-private partnerships to help bridge Africa’s growing housing gap and make decent housing more accessible to millions of citizens.
The 2026 Abuja International Housing Show attracted thousands of policymakers, investors, housing professionals, exhibitors and delegates from several African countries, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the continent’s foremost platforms for dialogue, policy engagement and investment in housing and urban development.
