HON. DANGIWA: A VISIONARY LEADER PAVING THE PATH FOR A BRIGHTER HOUSING FUTURE IN NIGERIA

 Collins Imoudu Andrew - 

In the sprawling tapestry of Nigeria's political landscape, few figures shine as brightly as Honourable Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa. His name has become synonymous with progress, especially in the critical sector of housing development in Nigeria. Born from a vision to transform the living standards of Nigerians, his journey, marked by exceptional antecedents and remarkable achievements, has not only redefined housing policies, especially with regard to mortgage financing but also offered a glimpse into a future where every citizen has a place to call home.

For many, Hon. Dangiwa's antecedents in the housing sector began with his appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, in April 2017 by Buhari. This is not true because he holds an MSc. (Arc) and MBA both from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in addition to a bachelor’s Honours degree in Architecture from the same Institution. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Wharton University Pennsylvania and has attended numerous training courses (local and international) on Housing Finance, Computer Aided Designs, Design and Build Workshops and Project Management, as well as several other professional and leadership training programmes that helped him cut his teeth in the housing and urban development sector of the nation’s economy.

As a Fellow of several respected professional organizations that include the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA); Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN); Risk Managers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN); the Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria (FICEN); Institute of Credit Administration (ICA); Institute of Strategic Customer Service & Trade Management (ICSTM); Chartered Institute of Loan & Risk Management of Nigeria (CILRM) and an Associate Member of American Institute of Architects (AAIA), it is clear that he has an established foothold in the profession where his passion lies.

Hon. Dangiwa started his professional career at TRIAD Associates, a reputable architectural firm based in Kaduna where he gained practical field experience in Designs and Project Management. As a result of his hard work, dedication, and resourcefulness, he gained rapid promotion rising from the position of Pupil Architect, Principal Architect, Senior Architect and Associate Partner within the short period of time that he worked at the firm.

He was the Managing Partner of AM Design Consult, an architectural and real estate development consultancy firm, and Jarlo International Nig. Ltd, a Construction Company, where he supervised the delivery of several outstanding real estate projects across the country.

He also worked at the Sahel Mortgage Finance Bank Limited, where he gained considerable experience in mortgage banking. He started as a Property Manager and rose through the ranks to head the Credit Control Unit of the bank. His remarkable performance eventually led to his elevation to the position of Manager of the Mortgage Banking Division. In this capacity, Hon. Dangiwa oversaw the design and delivery of a wide variety of mortgage products and real estate projects, especially social mass housing. Based on the foregoing, his appointment by the current administration could hardly be faulted by anyone because he is a square peg in a square hole. 

Given the calibre of credentials he parades and for which the government of the day found it worthy to invite him into its cabinet, it is almost a given that under Hon. Dangiwa's stewardship, the housing sector in Nigeria would witness a paradigm shift. He is already dishing out bold policy statements, hinging on strategic partnerships for a relentless drive to bridge the housing gap and this is no doubt in line with some of his key achievements while he held sway at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. 

As the MD/CEO of FMBN, Hon. Dangiwa championed historic reforms that helped to reposition the nation’s foremost apex mortgage bank on the path of transparency, profitability, efficiency, innovation, and wider impact as a social housing delivery institution.

During his five-year stint at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Hon. Dangiwa developed and implemented a roadmap of strategic reforms that delivered unmatched results some of which are highlighted thus: the mobilisation of N279 billion in additional contributions to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme; disbursement of N175 billion affordable housing loans and construction Finance and he initiated and kicked off the N40 billion FMBN Mega Cities Project under the National Economic Sustainability Programme (NESP) to deliver 5,000 housing units.  

Other achievements credited to Hon Dangiwa are the development of innovative Housing Products to Expand Affordability which manifested in the Rent to Own product, which allows NHF contributors to move into FMBN-funded houses and pay towards homeownership in monthly, quarterly, or annual instalments and the individual construction loan, which allows Nigerians with legal title deeds to get loans of up to N15 million to build their own homes with payment tenors of up to 30-years.

Hon. Dangiwa equally pushed for the development of the Diaspora Mortgage loan to help Nigerians living abroad own their homes without hitches or falling into the wrong hands back home. He also developed the Non-Interest Rent-to-Own (Ethical RTO) scheme to cater for the needs of many Nigerians yearning for non-interest housing products.

It is clear that the future of housing development in Nigeria is in safe hands and all we need to do at this point is to take a visionary's gaze through the binoculars of Hon. Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as things will surely pan out well under his leadership as the Honourable Minister of Housing. 

From what we know and have heard so far, Hon. Dangiwa has paved the way for the future of housing development in Nigeria; his vision extends beyond the horizon. He envisions a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing. His roadmap includes bolstering the construction industry through innovative technology adoption, encouraging private sector investments, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure the highest quality standards in housing projects.

Furthermore, Dangiwa's foresight sees housing not merely as a physical structure but as a catalyst for holistic community development. His future plans encompass integrated housing projects that include schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational spaces, fostering vibrant, self-sustaining communities where residents can thrive and prosper.

In an era marked by challenges, Hon. Dangiwa stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His tireless efforts, coupled with his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians, have elevated him to the status of a true statesman. As the sun sets each day, it rises again, illuminating the path to a brighter, more secure future for Nigeria, where housing is not just a dream but a fundamental right.