The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to elevate housing to a national economic priority.
It argued that the sector holds the key to job creation, poverty reduction, industrial growth and sustainable economic development.
The call was made ahead of the 20th anniversary edition of the Africa International Housing Show, scheduled to hold from July 13 to 18, 2026, in Abuja, under the theme, “Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa.”
In a statement signed by its chief executive officer, Festus Adebayo, AIHS said affordable housing should no longer be treated merely as a social welfare programme but as a strategic economic sector capable of driving inclusive growth and improving the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Adebayo said countries that have achieved sustainable economic development placed housing at the centre of their national development agenda.
“Housing is far more than the construction of buildings. It is an engine of economic growth. It creates jobs, stimulates manufacturing, supports financial services, promotes urban development, improves public health, strengthens family stability and contributes significantly to national productivity,” he said.
Describing Nigeria’s huge housing deficit as both a challenge and an opportunity, Adebayo said the sector could become a major driver of economic transformation if supported by the right policies.
To achieve this, AIHS presented a 10-point policy agenda to the federal government, beginning with a recommendation that housing be formally recognised as a strategic sector for economic diversification, employment generation, wealth creation and industrial development.
The organisation also called for the establishment of a Presidential Council on Affordable Housing Delivery to coordinate reforms involving relevant ministries, state governments, development finance institutions, the private sector, professional bodies, cooperatives and representatives of informal workers.
Other recommendations include reforms to land administration through digitised land registries and simplified title registration processes, expanded access to affordable housing finance, scaling up the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, promotion of locally produced building materials and modern construction technologies, stronger public-private partnerships, improved housing data, and targeted housing policies for informal sector workers.
AIHS further urged the government to recognise housing investment as a tool for advancing national security, public health, education, productivity, climate resilience and social stability.
Adebayo said the six-day conference would bring together ministers, governors, lawmakers, development finance institutions, investors, developers, academics, manufacturers, diplomats and international organisations to develop practical solutions to Africa’s housing challenges.
“Our objective is not merely to discuss housing challenges but to develop practical, implementable solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Africans.
“We believe Nigeria can become the housing investment hub of Africa if the right policies are implemented consistently,” he said.
Kogi Commission, Geregu Power Move To Boost Electricity Supply
By IBRAHIM OBANSA, Lokoja
Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has initiated talks with Geregu Power Plc to improve electricity supply across the state through a commercially viable local power market and direct electricity off-take arrangements.
The move, according to the commission, is part of the efforts to accelerate the delivery of reliable electricity to households, industries and host communities while supporting the state’s drive towards 24-hour power supply.
Leading a KERC delegation on a working visit to the power generation company in Ajaokuta, the commission’s chairman and chief executive officer, Ibrahim Sunday Abdulwaaris, congratulated the firm’s board and management on its recent change of ownership and the emergence of Abdul-Aziz Yari as chairman.
Abdulwaaris reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with key players in the electricity value chain to strengthen Kogi’s emerging electricity market.
He highlighted KERC’s recent regulatory milestones, including the licensing of mini-grids and embedded generation projects, the issuance of an operating licence to Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited, and the ongoing development of a simplified tariff framework.
According to him, the reforms demonstrate the commission’s readiness to collaborate with major power generation companies such as Geregu Power to address electricity off-take and market settlement challenges through a robust state electricity market.
Describing Geregu Power as a strategic national asset, Abdulwaaris said the company had played a significant role in placing Kogi State on Nigeria’s energy map through its reliable electricity generation.
He proposed four areas of collaboration, including regulatory alignment between Geregu’s national licence and the state’s electricity framework, direct commercial off-take agreements with independent distribution network operators in Kogi, dedicated power supply to industrial and institutional consumers, and the alignment of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives with rural electrification and community development.
Responding, the head of Production at Geregu Power Plc, Ali Mambo Mohammed, welcomed the commission’s proposals and expressed the company’s readiness to collaborate with KERC to position the state as a preferred destination for electricity investment.
He noted that Geregu Power currently operates under a generation licence issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which does not cover transmission and distribution activities.
Mohammed, however, urged the commission to facilitate the development of a state transmission network, even at a lower voltage level, to enhance the effectiveness of the proposed partnership.
He disclosed that Geregu Power Plc has an installed generation capacity of 434 megawatts.
KERC pledged continued regulatory support, policy alignment and stakeholder engagement to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed initiatives aimed at improving electricity supply across the state.
