HipCity Innovation Centre on 5th February 2025 paid an advocacy visit to the Hon. Minister, Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
The urban landscape globally is changing with clear evidence that 70% of the world population will live in cities by the year 2050. Urbanization by itself presents both opportunities and challenges for governments across the globe.
Nigeria’s population is tilting towards the urban areas for several reasons such as better living standards, basic services, job opportunities etc. With rapid urbanization; Nigerian cities must double up on its service delivery in critical areas such as housing, efficient transportation systems, decent jobs etc. Unfortunately, the spate of development does not keep pace with the urban population with many Nigerians unable to afford the current houses stock available. This situation has contributed to urban sprawl with many Nigerians especially youths finding solace in Slum Communities.
HipCity Innovation Centre, a sustainable and inclusive cities advocacy organization on February 5th paid an advocacy visit to the Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa to advocate for affordable housing options for youth and other vulnerable groups in Nigerian cities who are often not considered in housing and urban planning decision making.
In response to the demand of the team from HipCity Innovation Centre; the Honorable Minister applauded the initiative of the organization and the work they do in promoting sustainable and inclusive cities in Nigeria. He went further to speak on his role as the Chair of the Executive Board of the UN-Habitat and acknowledging the existence of a similar structure at the global level; hence it is laudable that Nigerian youths are aligning in the regard.
Underscoring the importance of partnerships and collaboration; the Honorable Minister endorsed the advocacy demands of HipCity Innovation Centre and mandated the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to liaise with the organization to work out modalities for the implementation. On the issue of affordable housing, the Minister also graciously committed to providing land for the pilot of a youth housing scheme while tasking the organization to conduct wider consultation with youths and undertake due diligence to ensure they return to the Ministry with a practicable proposal for the implementation and assured of the ministry’s backing.
HipCity Innovation Centre’s Executive Director; Mr. Bassey Bassey thanked the Minister for his visionary leadership and also seized the opportunity to present to the Minister a recent publication of the organization “Abuja: A city for all; moving from vision to reality.
HipCity Innovation Centre will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and ensure that the commitments of the Minister’s come to full implementation and young persons in Nigeria have a voice in housing and urban development issues in Nigeria.
To volunteer or learn more about the work we do at HipCity Innovation Centre; send us an email: info.hipcityhub@gmail.com, info@hipcityinnovationcentre.org or call us on +2348039906111 or follow us on all our social media platforms with the name “HipCityHub”
