The Dangote Group has strongly advocated for enhanced public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a crucial strategy to tackle Nigeria’s staggering housing deficit, estimated to be in the millions. This call was made by Dolapo Alli, National Sales Director of Dangote Cement Plc, during the recently concluded Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja.

Speaking at the company’s special day at the 19th edition of the show, which ran from July 28 to August 1, 2025, Alli emphasized that addressing the nation’s severe housing shortage demands a collaborative effort among all stakeholders. “Addressing housing issues requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, private developers, non-profits, and communities,” Alli stated, highlighting the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.

He proposed that through well-structured PPP models, the government could initiate the development of new housing estates, while companies within the building and construction sector could be incentivized with tax waivers and credits. Such measures, he argued, would significantly facilitate the financing and delivery of new and affordable housing developments across the country.

Alli commended the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts, particularly its “Renewed Hope Housing Initiative,” which aims to make homeownership more accessible to citizens, especially low- and middle-income earners. However, he stressed that given the immense scale of the housing challenge, “much more needs to be done.” He called for broader collaboration across public and private sectors to “unlock innovative financing solutions, streamline regulatory processes, and scale up delivery to meet the growing demand for decent and affordable housing.”

The Dangote Cement executive further identified key challenges impeding affordable housing provision in Nigeria, including rapid urbanization, population growth, high cost of land acquisition, rising construction material prices, inadequate basic infrastructure, and limited access to long-term, low-cost financing. He asserted that mass housing, facilitated by PPPs, is a proven strategy that has effectively tackled rapid urbanization pressures in numerous countries worldwide.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, also present at the AIHS, lauded Dangote Cement Plc for its significant contributions to the Nigerian economy and urged the company to deepen its partnership with the government in bridging the housing gap. The AIHS itself, a major platform for industry leaders and policymakers from 21 countries, provided a fertile ground for these discussions, reinforcing the widespread consensus on the indispensable role of PPPs in reimagining housing solutions for Nigeria.