The Federal Government has commended the European Union-funded Sustainable Integrated Development Programme for supporting Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria (SIDPIN).
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, gave the commendation in a meeting with a delegation from the UN-Habitat in Abuja.
Dangiwa praised the organisation for delivering durable housing solutions, strengthening community integration and improving living conditions for displaced persons and host communities.
He also acknowledged the UN-Habitat’s ongoing support through SIDPIN in Adamawa, Kano and Borno states and emphasised their alignment with the ministry’s priority of rebuilding livelihoods and strengthening social cohesion in post-conflict areas.
He added that “the ministry also recognises the programmes’ support in reviewing the National Urban Development Policy.
“This is alongside its contribution to planning reform and the offer of a consultant for the National Land Registration Documentation and Titling Programme (Land4Growth), urban renewal initiatives and slum upgrading programmes.
“These interventions are vital as Nigeria confronts rapid urbanisation that demands coordinated planning, sustainable infrastructure and climate-responsive development.”
Dangiwa highlighted the importance of interventions in sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience and resource management.
He called for coordinated planning and sustainable infrastructure in the face of rapid urbanisation.
He, however, regretted that budgetary constraints were hampering the ministry’s clear policy direction and strong ambitions, slowing the pace and limiting the scale of implementation.
This, the minister said, was particularly in the delivery of climate-responsive housing and urban resilience initiatives.
According to him, the reality compels the ministry to explore innovative financing mechanisms beyond traditional budgetary allocations.
He noted that while the ministry recognises the numerous opportunities presented by its partnership with UN-Habitat, it was also mindful of the challenges involved in meeting its obligations under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Dangiwa listed some of the opportunities to include: facilitating access to international climate finance from global funding institutions and mobilising resources for social housing programmes targeting vulnerable populations.
He said that others included: advancing women-focused housing initiatives, acknowledging that women are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts and conflict-induced displacement.
Earlier, Mr. Mathias Spaliviero, the Head (UN Habitat) West Africa Hub Dakar, Senegal, reaffirmed the agency’s strong institutional partnership with the Federal Government.
Spaliviero noted that collaboration remained a priority, regardless of funding cycles.
He provided updates on ongoing interventions by UN-Habitat, highlighting a major joint programme being implemented in collaboration with International Organisation for Migration and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
He said that the initiative focuses on delivering sustainable, durable solutions for IDPs through structured urban integration strategies in Kano, Yobe, Adamawa, and Benue states.
According to him, the programme adopts a multi-scale planning approach and has recorded encouraging progress, with state governments demonstrating increasing ownership and responsiveness.
Spaliviero extended an invitation to the minister to participate in the upcoming Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as the forthcoming World Urban Forum convened by UN-Habitat.
By Angela Atabo