Daniel Adaji
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has called for the adoption of green, sustainable, and climate-smart housing designs in Nigeria’s housing industry.
He urged professionals in the sector to embrace innovative and sustainable solutions in response to the country’s housing needs.
Speaking at the 2024 Archibuilt Exposition organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects on Tuesday, in Abuja, the Minister emphasised the need for the industry to focus on environmentally friendly and resource-efficient solutions.
“We have seen transformative ideas presented at previous expositions, from using sustainable building materials to energy-efficient designs, water conservation techniques, and zero-emission construction technologies.
“The ongoing conversations will shape the future of construction in Nigeria and resonate globally. Innovation, built on technology and equitable resource utilisation models, is what we need”, Dangiwa stated.
He underscored the critical role of architects in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11, which promotes sustainable cities and communities.
He noted that architects have the power to design urban spaces that are inclusive, resilient, and adaptable.
“We must ask ourselves: How can we ensure that the cities we build are not only environmentally sustainable but also inclusive and socially equitable?”
“How can we foster urban ecosystems that promote healthy living, economic development, and environmental stewardship but yet groundbreaking enough?” the Minister queried.
Dangiwa also highlighted the challenges posed by rapid rural-urban migration and population growth in Africa, warning of the strain this places on infrastructure.
“African States have struggled to respond to the challenges of rapid rural-urban migration and the surging population estimated to hit 2.5 billion by the year 2050, which Nigeria alone was said to account for over 400 million, ranking her the 3rd largest country globally,” he said.
He challenged architects to find homegrown solutions and respond creatively to these pressures, asking, “As Architects, how do we respond to this scenario of an ever-increasing strain on our natural resources?”
The Minister also advocated for the use of local and indigenous materials to reduce carbon footprints while preserving Nigeria’s cultural identity.
“Optimising the use of local materials like bamboo, laterite, and compressed earth blocks will help to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining the structural integrity of our buildings.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable housing, infrastructure, and urban development,” Dangiwa emphasised.
Dangiwa revealed that the 3,112 Karsana Renewed Hope City and the designs for six other Renewed Hope Cities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones are undergoing EDGE Green Certification.
He assured the audience that these initiatives would create the largest green footprint in the history of housing development in the country and possibly in Africa.
The event also featured former Vice President and Special Guest of Honour, Namadi Sambo, who stressed the need to reimagine cities as dynamic ecosystems.
“We must invest in cities that promote mobility, reduce congestion, and improve the quality of lives of the people. We must also focus on mixed-use neighbourhoods that promote togetherness,” Sambo said.
He further urged architects to establish a think tank to periodically advise the Minister on practical innovations for the sector.
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mobolaji Adeniyi, noted that the exposition aimed to showcase cutting-edge products and technologies, exploring the intersection of architecture, technology, and innovation.
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