FG TO ESTABLISH BUILDING MATERIALS HUBS IN 6 ZONES TO CUT CONSTRUCTION COSTS, BOOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to strengthen local production, reduce construction costs and expand access to affordable housing.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, disclosed this on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in Abuja while declaring open the 56th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB. The conference has the theme: “Repositioning the Building Profession: Advocacy and Policy Influence on Housing Delivery for a Sustainable Built Environment.”
Senator Akume stated that the hubs are designed to deepen domestic supply chains, support local manufacturing, and make building materials more accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
“Government is pursuing the development of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across the geopolitical zones precisely to support local production and reduce construction costs. Your role is to bring the technical knowledge, research capacity and industry networks to the table, from conceptualisation to delivery,” he said.
The SGF noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the commitment to delivering safe, durable, and affordable housing for all Nigerians.
He stressed that housing goes beyond physical structures, adding that it encompasses safety, dignity, family stability, wealth creation and improved quality of life. He therefore charged members of NIOB to uphold professionalism, ethics and public trust as the foundation of the building profession.
Senator Akume warned against poor supervision, use of substandard materials, construction shortcuts, corruption and the engagement of unqualified personnel. He said such practices undermine building quality and put lives and investments at risk.
He urged the Institute to intensify public enlightenment on the dangers of quackery and ensure that certified builders do not lend their names or professional seals to projects they do not supervise.
The SGF acknowledged that rising construction costs have put home ownership beyond the reach of many families. He called for stronger collaboration among professionals and the adoption of cost-saving measures such as design-to-cost, increased use of local materials, bulk procurement, waste reduction, modern construction methods, transparent bills of quantities, and stronger domestic supply chains.
He further urged Nigerian builders to take advantage of ongoing massive infrastructure projects by the Federal Government. He noted that over 2,700 kilometres of highways and major roads are currently under construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation across the country.
The SGF cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road and the East-West Road as examples of projects where builders can leverage opportunities.
He challenged professionals in the built environment not to remain spectators but to form consortia, establish auditable quality-management systems, train and certify artisans, and compete for opportunities in housing, transportation infrastructure, public facilities and local-content projects.
In a statement by Chris Ugbuegbulam,
Head of Information & Public Relations at the OSGF, Senator Akume reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritising construction and housing development irrespective of political considerations.
He recalled President Tinubu’s vision of building a Nigeria that is “secure, prosperous, inclusive, and respected worldwide,” and urged NIOB to make the Renewed Hope Agenda tangible through a commitment to “one ethical professional, one safe site, one durable structure, and one affordable roof at a time.”
Declaring the AGM open, Senator Akume congratulated the Nigerian Institute of Building on its 56th Conference and expressed confidence that its deliberations would produce practical strategies for improving housing delivery, professional standards and sustainability in Nigeria’s built environment.
