By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The National Housing Data Technical Committee, inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, has released new housing sector data indicating that Nigeria’s housing deficit for 2025 stood at “14.

925” million housing units, underscoring the scale of the country’s housing challenge and the urgent need for data-driven interventions.

The data was presented by Dr. Taofeek Olatinwo, Chairman of the National Housing Data Technical Committee and Director at Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), during a technical session at the 14th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, which held in Ilorin from 19th to 23rd January 2026.

According to the presentation, recent analysis conducted under the National Housing Data Programme offers more scientific estimates compared to unverified figures touted over the last few years.

The data, which focused on the number of persons per room as a standard for determining deficit, highlights persistent supply gaps driven by rapid population growth, urbanisation pressures, limited access to long-term housing finance, land and title constraints, and inadequate housing supply across several regions.

Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa commended the committee for finally putting the issue of Nigeria’s housing data to rest. “One of the biggest gaps in our sector has been the absence of reliable, centralized, and actionable housing data. Without data, planning becomes guesswork; investment becomes speculative; and tracking progress becomes difficult,” he said.

In his presentation, Dr. Olatinwo explained that the deficit estimates were derived from multiple validated data sources, including national household surveys, population and housing census data, and housing adequacy indices developed under international best practice frameworks.

“Reliable housing data is fundamental to solving Nigeria’s housing problem. Accurate measurement of the housing deficit allows government, lenders, developers, and investors to plan effectively, allocate resources properly, and design sustainable interventions that expand access to affordable housing,” he said.

The presentation forms part of the broader work of the National Housing Data Technical Committee, a multi-agency platform inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and coordinated by NMRC, in collaboration with National Bureau of Statistics, National Population Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, and other key housing sector institutions.

Under the programme, the Committee is leading efforts to establish the National Housing Data Centre, a central platform designed to aggregate, standardise, and disseminate housing and mortgage market data to support policy formulation, housing delivery planning, and long-term housing finance development.

The new deficit figures reaffirm the scale of Nigeria’s housing challenge and strengthen the case for coordinated reforms in land administration, housing supply, infrastructure development, and mortgage finance expansion.

The National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development serves as the highest intergovernmental policy forum on housing and urban development in Nigeria, bringing together federal and state governments to deliberate on sector priorities, reforms, and implementation strategies.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha perhaps one of the greatest patriots serving in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Maiha assumed office with passion   as the pioneer Minister to reform the volatile and often misconceived Livestock sector.

As a practicing Livestock farmer, Maiha approached his assignment with confidence demonstrating that he has found a long-sought opportunity to drive policy towards a sustainable livestock sector that will be at the centre of the nation’s food security efforts.

Barely a year after his Ministry was created on July 9, 2024 the Minister has succeeded largely to unlock the Livestock sector’s potential and drive national economic growth.

The Livestock development Roadmap approved by the Federal Government emphasises private sector leadership, government enablement, animal health and enhanced infrastructure to boost food security and economic development.

The Ministry’s policies have within a short time raised the value of Livestock sector from N25 trillion in 2022 to about N33 trillion.    Among the Ministry’s initiatives are: Modernizing pastoralism through improved grazing reserve infrastructure; Revitalizing 13 private abattoirs to enhance operational standards and hygiene; Encouraging private-sector-led ranching to promote sustainable livestock farming.

The Minister is working hard to raise the quantum of livestock in the country, which in 2022 stood at 258.5 million Chickens; 88.2 million Goats; 49.1 million sheep and 20.9million Cattle and 9.2million Pigs.

Recently, the Minister accompanied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on an official visit to Brazil, where he secured a $2 billion investment from the Batista Brothers to Enhance livestock breeding and weight management; Increase animal feed production and reduce farmer-herder conflicts by promoting sustainable practices.

The Minister has criss-crossed the country canvassing local investments to reduce reliance on livestock imports. He encourages Nigerians to embrace the livestock business, emphasizing that ventures such as honey production require minimal start-up capital.

Through these series of investment promotion activities, the Minister Targets $74bn worth of the Livestock sector by 2035 and all policies and efforts are being driven towards attainment of this target.

A public servant of varied experiences, Maiha worked as

Chairman, Guyuk and Mayo Belwa LGAs in Adamawa state and later joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where he rose to the rank of Executive Director, Services at Kaduna Refinery.

For his pioneering initiatives in the Livestock sector as Minister, to promote Peace by tackling the hydra-headed problem of Farmers-Herders clashes across the country, entrench modern practices in animal husbandry and upscale the nation’s Livestock economy with tremendous achievements in just one year in office, Dr Idi Muhktar Maiha is Minister of the Year for Peace Promotion Among Herders-Farmers in the Country and Sustainable Livestock Development.

National Vice Chairman (North East), All Progressives Congress is a politician with a difference. His rise to the very top of party administration and the capacity he has demonstrated to stay on the top is a reflection of his sterling leadership qualities.

He was first elected National Vice Chairman of the party and successfully held the office 2016-2020.

After a period, he returned to the post in 2022 and has held the office till date.

The APC in the North East has grown under leaps and bonds. Against a strong opposition posed by other political parties, the APC   triumphed in the region   by winning   the Governorship seats in Borno, Yobe and Gombe and majority of National Assembly seats and above all delivering the Presidential Ticket of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, a product of North East zone, Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election.

Under his watch, APC in the North East has attracted high profile politicians to its fold and continues to wax stronger against other parties as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections. He has stood firmly to wade off the influence of rival political parties, who constantly invade the North East region in their desperate membership drive and search for relevance.

Dr Salihu’s leadership is rooted in self-discipline and unwavering commitment to the ideals and manifesto of APC, which he propagates at the slightest opportunity. A former Soldier, Banker, Business mogul and academic, the Political gladiator brings his vast experiences to bear on party administration and effortlessly retains the confidence of state Chapters of the Party under his purview. His capacity to exercise patience and restraint in resolving complex political issues stands him out as a leader with a difference. His most recent feat is the effective mobilisation of APC members towards a successful e-registration exercise across the entire North East region.

From all indications, Dr. Salihu has arrived on the national political scene and there is much he can offer to the political stability of the nation and the consolidation of democracy. Already he adequately prepared himself with the requisite  academic qualifications   including LLB Degree, M.Sc in Conflict,  Peace Strategic Studies and a Ph.D in  Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies, specialising in Internal Security  and  Terrorism  among other academic and professional certificates obtaining from some of the very best academic institutions in the country.

For his demonstrable capacity to lead the APC successfully to phenomenal growth and his dynamic leadership, which has not only greatly blossomed the membership base of APC in North Region but ensured peace and stability within the ranks and layers of authority of the party, Dr. Mustapha Salisu is DAILY ASSET Politician of the Year.