The Federal Government has begun evaluating a proposal from China Hyway Group Limited to construct 10,000 affordable housing units across Nigeria within 30 months.
The proposal, currently under review by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, seeks to use prefabricated building technology under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) model to deliver homes across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Following a presentation by the Chinese firm, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, directed the establishment of a committee made up of senior ministry officials to examine the proposal and advise on the next course of action.
According to the minister, the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to increase access to affordable, quality and sustainable housing through partnerships with the private sector. He added that the government remains committed to supporting credible investors by facilitating land access and providing the necessary institutional backing.
China Hyway Group’s Chief Engineer, Lewis Chima, said the company was motivated by Nigeria’s estimated 17 million-unit housing deficit and its long-term economic potential.
He explained that the proposed construction model combines project design, financing, construction and delivery into a single framework, making it possible to reduce costs, improve quality, speed up project completion and strengthen financing through international support.
The company also expressed interest in establishing a long-term partnership with the Federal Government to help address the housing shortage, create employment opportunities, encourage technology transfer and promote sustainable urban development.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with strategic partners to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
Nigeria continues to face a significant housing deficit driven by rapid population growth, urbanisation and rising construction costs. The government has adopted a mix of public funding and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to bridge the gap and expand access to homeownership.
Although the China Hyway proposal has not yet received final approval, it represents another potential large-scale housing initiative aimed at reducing Nigeria’s housing shortage.
