Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the housing sector, describing it as a “multifaceted engine” essential for societal advancement and robust economic prosperity.
Speaking at the BusinessDay South-South Real Estate Exhibition and Investment Summit 2026, held at the Hotel Presidential on Wednesday, the Governor emphasised that bridging the housing gap remains a cornerstone of his developmental agenda.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, Governor Fubara noted that the real estate sector serves as a vital catalyst for urban transformation and wealth creation. He underscored the State’s resolve to harness these opportunities to generate employment and enhance the general welfare of the citizenry.
“Our administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for investors and stakeholders through rigorous policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, and the fortification of public-private partnerships,” the Governor stated.
According to a statement signed on April 15, by Juliana Masi, PhD, Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the summit, themed “Addressing Nigeria’s Housing Deficit with Innovative Solutions,” served as a clarion call for stakeholders to move beyond traditional methods. Governor Fubara urged participants to utilise the platform to forge networks and devise ingenious strategies to reshape the future of property development within the region.
The Federal Government echoed these sentiments. Representing the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Head of Lands, Queen Tekai, remarked that the Ministry is proactively streamlining processes to foster a more conducive atmosphere for nationwide housing initiatives.
The keynote speaker, Mr Mustapha Njie, Group Managing Director of TAF Africa Global, delivered a poignant address on the necessity of a forward-thinking housing strategy. To achieve sustainable growth, Mr Njie identified several critical interventions:
Financial Accessibility: Promoting affordable financing models for prospective homeowners.
Regulatory Reform: The elimination of bureaucratic bottlenecks and the reduction of exorbitant costs currently associated with property titling.
Local Production: Incentivising the domestic manufacture of building materials to lower construction costs.
Smart Urbanisation: The adoption of eco-friendly “smart city” concepts and the strategic development of new urban centres, citing the Greater TAF City model.
The event concluded with a shared consensus amongst dignitaries and investors that through collaborative effort and the adoption of modern technologies, the housing deficit in Rivers State and indeed Nigeria can be effectively mitigated.
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