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FASHOLA OUTLINES ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN NIGERIA, SAYS PLANNING IS KEY

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Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Tuesday, in Abuja outlined the roadmap of his Ministry to achieving a sustainable Housing delivery in the country saying the first key to the roadmap in housing was planning.

 

Fashola, who spoke at the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shelter Afrique in Abuja, said in order to meet the real demand of the majority of Nigerians in housing, it was not only necessary but expedient to embark on proper planning adding that it is the key to project completion, cost control and reduction in variation requests as well as financial calculations.

 

Noting that what the country now has as a National Housing Policy was only a Policy Statement and not a plan, the Minister declared, “We must never tire to explain the necessity and importance of proper planning. It is the key to successful execution, it is the key to project completion, it is the key to cost control and reduction in variation requests and financial calculations”.

 

“I acknowledge that there is, for example, a National Housing Policy of 2012. Some have chosen to call it a plan. To the extent that it is a broad statement of intent about providing housing, it is a policy statement”, the Minister said adding that his Ministry was currently developing the needed plan to make the housing policy a reality.

 

Elaborating further on the plans of his Ministry, Fashola, who explained that the plan requires “a clear understanding of who we want to provide housing for”, added, “I recognize that there are people who want land to build for themselves, there are also people who want town houses and duplexes, whether detached or semi-detached”, pointing out that this category of people were not in the majority.
According to him, “The people who we must focus on are those in the majority and those who are most vulnerable; the people who are in the bracket of those who graduated from University about five years ago and more. People who are in the income bracket of grade level 9 to 15 in the public service and their counterparts, taxi drivers, market men and women, farmers, artisans who earn the same range of income”.

 

Fashola said in order to capture the target population, the Ministry needed to conduct a survey to determine what they expect and what they could pay as well as evolve agreeable housing types, between two to four designs that have a broad, national cultural acceptance adding that there was need also to standardize the designs “so that we can then design moulds to accelerate the number that can be built”.

 

Also the plan requires the standardization of the size of doors, windows, toilet and bath fittings, lighting fittings and other accessories so that the small and medium enterprises could “respond to supply all the building materials, create diversification and jobs; and ensure that projects are completed with a steady supply of materials”.

 

Other requirements in his Ministry’s plans, the Minister said, include ensuring that the designs reflect behavioral patterns of Nigerians, such as adequate storage, and other lifestyle needs, that there is ready water supply, power supply, waste and sewage management and paying attention to the transport needs and land density prescriptions of the communities that are built.

 

The plans also include ensuring that the process of issuing legal title is in place and
focus on post-construction maintenance to ensure that the houses remain in good condition after they have been sold to the owners.

 

Expressing pleasure that a lot of work has been done by staff of the Ministry towards concluding the plans, Fashola, who also acknowledged the voluntary contribution of some private sector to the initiatives, announced that 12 states have responded to the request for land adding that while more responses are awaited, the Ministry was taking the next step to survey the plots of land and develop layouts, preparatory to commencing development.

 

“In essence, the road to Nigeria’s housing challenge lies in meticulous planning and original thinking”, he said adding, “I am of the view that the solution to housing Africa’s urban low income population must proceed along the same basis by each African country”.
Recalling the recent Habitat III Summit hosted in Abuja in February 2016, Fashola pointed out that a major declaration about the need for Africans to take responsibility and be original in developing their own solutions was made in the Abuja declaration adding, “It is a document that I commend all of us”.

 

The Minister, who also recalled his meeting with the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique earlier in the year to review preparations for the ongoing Annual General Meeting, said one of the things he requested of him was that the Managing Director should furnish him with a report of the impact of Shelter Afrique’s initiative for his assessment adding that his request was based on his belief that the success of any project and the possibility of improving upon it depends on the ability to measure it.

 

According to the Minister, highlights of the report showed that between 2005 and 2010, Shelter Afrique in Nigeria had financed 23 initiatives with a total of $52,175,000(Approximately N10.435 BILLION) adding that of these initiatives, 15 represented lending for construction of housing projects, out of which the largest was for $7 million for 376 houses of different types, and 251 serviced plots, followed by 287 mixed housing units for a cooperative society, 55 housing units and 100 Service plots and the least was for 16 maisonettes.

 

“This is the intervention on the supply side of housing to provide houses.

The remaining eight interventions were for mortgage financing to building societies, credit line for individual mortgages and related financing, on the demand side of housing, to provide finance”, he said.

 

According to him, the other parts of the report also showed a financing of $60,400,000 (Approximately N12.08 BILLION) over the last three years in 10 interventions adding that out of these 10, seven were for housing construction, namely 287 units, 90 units, 15 floor commercial complex, 59 housing units, 300 housing units, 130 apartments and 44 housing units on the supply side.

 

“The remaining three interventions were for equity investment in the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) ($3M); and credit lines for on-lending for mortgage totaling $13 Million (N2.6 BILLION)”, he said adding, “Given the topic of this symposium, which is ‘Housing Africa’s Urban Low Income Population’, “I am mindful that Shelter Afrique is not the only interventionist in the market, but I think that if we use this as a case study and benchmark ourselves, we can improve our efforts by measuring our progress and trying new things”.

 

The Minister noted that over the years, Nigeria has embarked on a series of housing initiatives but not one of them has been pursued with consistency or any measurable sustainability adding, “In the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, we are convinced that these unsustainable efforts must change, and give way to a sustainable and well thought out initiative”.
“We are convinced that this change must be led by Government and subsequently driven by the private sector”, he said citing as example of a sustained housing initiative,

the public housing initiative of the United Kingdom which, he said, was started by government in 1918 and as of 2014, 64.8 per cent of UK’s 53 million people are home owners.

 

 

Also citing the Singaporean initiative which was started by government in 1960, the Minister, who said it has   provided housing for 80 per cent of its three million people, declared, “What is common to both models, is that there was a uniformity of design, a common target to house working class people, and not the elite, standardization of fittings like doors, windows, space, electrical and mechanical, and also a common concept of neighborhood”.
“The Shelter Afrique report which I disclosed to you does not share these characteristics. It shows funding for diverse initiatives such as service plots, commercial complex, apartments, and mixed housing”, he said adding that after the announcement that the present Government would be building houses, scores of proposals have been received from people with majority of them saying they want to build 10,000 units of housing.

 

Saying although he would love to see houses built in such large numbers, the Minister, however, noted that the Ministry’s interrogation of the proposals showed that none of the people who wanted to build 10,000 houses could show any evidence that they have previously built 500 houses to show their capacity.
“A sizable number of them are Road construction companies, and I am aware that the logistics for road construction are quite different from that for housing construction.
Some of them want to build duplexes and I think we all agree that this is not where the demand of Africa’s urban low income lies”, he said adding that one of them who had signed a contract to deliver a 1,000 housing unit estate since around 2013 had run into difficulty after building 84 units.

 

Pointing out that many of the Public Private Partnership housing initiatives entered into have either stalled as a result of funding, lack of capacity, land disputes or court cases, Fashola, who noted that it was not the road to sustainability, declared, “Ladies and Gentlemen, a lot of money has passed through the African continent from oil, Agro- produce, mining, trade and other sources, but it is yet to deliver on the promise of prosperity that lies on the horizon”.

 

“I know that there is a high expectancy out there. But everything tells me that as desirous as speed is, for us to respond to people’s expectations, we must be careful not to build roads that go nowhere; instead, we must be meticulous, focused and dedicated to build a road to prosperity”, he said.

 

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14 Years of Democratizing Landownership: How Adron Homes Is Redefining Mass Housing in Nigeria

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14 Years of Democratizing Landownership: How Adron Homes Is Redefining Mass Housing in Nigeria

 

 

For decades, homeownership in Nigeria remained an elusive dream for millions, restricted by rising rents, unstable housing markets, and mortgage systems beyond the reach of the average citizen. Fourteen years ago, Adron Homes and Properties Limited set out to challenge this reality with a bold and disruptive vision: to make land and homeownership affordable, accessible, and achievable for everyday Nigerians.

 

Founded on the principle that housing should be a right and not a privilege, Adron Homes has steadily emerged as one of Nigeria’s most influential mass housing developers. At the heart of its success is an affordability-driven model that prioritizes inclusion without compromising quality. Through flexible payment plans, low initial deposits, and extended installment options, the company has broken long-standing financial barriers that once excluded civil servants, young professionals, artisans, traders, and Nigerians in the diaspora from owning property.

 

Fourteen years on, this vision has translated into tangible impact across over 60 estates nationwide, strategically located in major and emerging growth corridors including Ibeju-Lekki, Lekki–Epe, Badagry, Shimawa, Papalanto, Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger State. Each estate represents more than infrastructure, it reflects Adron Homes’ commitment to decentralizing development and expanding access to property ownership beyond traditional urban centers.

 

Through this mass housing initiative, thousands of Nigerians have successfully transitioned from tenants to landlords, many achieving property ownership for the first time. Unlike conventional real estate models that emphasize exclusivity and luxury, Adron Homes has consistently aligned its offerings with the real income realities of the Nigerian population, ensuring that housing solutions remain practical, inclusive, and sustainable.

 

Beyond affordability, trust has remained a defining pillar of the Adron Homes brand. The company places strong emphasis on secure land titles, transparent documentation, and regulatory compliance, protecting subscribers from land disputes and fraudulent transactions. This focus on integrity has strengthened customer confidence and positioned Adron Homes as a dependable gateway to long-term wealth creation through real estate.

 

As Adron Homes marks its 14th anniversary, its mass housing journey stands as more than a corporate achievement but a national intervention. By restoring dignity, promoting financial security, and transforming thousands of property ownership dreams into reality, Adron Homes continues to play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s housing landscape and building a future where more citizens can truly call a place their own.

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Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing

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Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“Shift or Structural Demand? A Declaration of Civic Duty in a Nation at a Fiscal Crossroads.”

In the unfolding narrative of national development and economic reform, few instruments are as defining as tax compliance. For Nigeria, a nation perpetually grappling with revenue shortfalls, structural dependency on a single export commodity, and entrenched informal economic behaviour, the Federal Government’s recent clarification on tax return deadlines is not mere bureaucratic noise. It is a deliberate and inescapable declaration: the social contract between citizen and state must be honoured through transparent, lawful and timely tax reporting.

At its core, the government’s pronouncement is stark in its simplicity and radical in its implications. Federal authorities, speaking through the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, have made it unequivocally clear that every Nigerian, whether employer or individual taxpayer, must file annual tax returns under the law. This encompasses self-assessment filings by individuals that too many assumed ended once employers deducted pay-as-you-earn taxes from their salaries.

This is not an optional civic suggestion, it is mandatory, backed by statute, and tied to a broader vision of national fiscal responsibility. Citizens can no longer hide behind ignorance, apathy, or false assumptions. “Many people assume that if their employer deducts tax from their salaries, their obligations end there. That is wrong,” Oyedele warned, emphasizing that the obligation to file remains with the individual under both existing and newly reformed tax laws.

The Deadlines and the Reality They Reveal.
Across the federation, state and federal revenue authorities have reaffirmed statutory deadlines in pursuit of compliance. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, moved to extend its filing date for employer returns by a narrow window, reflecting the reality that compliance often lags behind legal timelines. The extension was intended not as leniency, but as a pragmatic effort to allow accurate and complete submissions, underscoring that true compliance rises above mere mechanical ticking of a box.

At the federal level, Oyedele’s intervention was even more fundamental. He reminded Nigerians that annual tax returns for the preceding year must be filed in good faith, with integrity and in respect of the law. This applies regardless of income level including low-income earners who have historically believed that they are outside the tax net. “All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income,” he stated.

Herein lies one of the most challenging truths of contemporary Nigerian governance: widespread tax non-compliance is not just a technical breach of law, it is a deep cultural and structural issue that reflects decades of mistrust between citizens and the state.

The Root of the Problem: Non-Compliance as a Symptom.
Nigeria’s tax culture has long been under scrutiny. Public discourse and economic analysis consistently show that a significant majority of eligible taxpayers do not file annual returns. Oyedele highlighted that even in states widely regarded as tax administration leaders, compliance remains strikingly low, often below five percent.

This widespread non-compliance stems from multiple sources:

A long history of weak tax administration systems, where enforcement was inconsistent and penalties were rarely applied.

A perception that public services do not reflect the taxes collected, eroding the citizenry’s belief in reciprocity.

An informal economy where income often goes unrecorded, making filing seem irrelevant or impossible to many.

Lack of awareness, with many Nigerians genuinely believing that tax liability ends with employer deductions.

The government’s renewed push for compliance directly challenges these perceptions. It signals a shift from voluntary or lax compliance to structured accountability, a stance that aligns with best practices in modern public finance.

Why This Matters: Beyond Deadlines.
At its most profound level, the insistence on tax return filings is about nation-building and shared responsibility.

Scholars of public finance universally agree that a robust tax system is the backbone of sustainable development. As the eminent economist Dr. Joseph E. Stiglitz has observed, “A society that cannot mobilize its own resources through fair taxation undermines both its government’s legitimacy and its capacity to provide for its people.” Filing tax returns is not a mere administrative task, it is a declaration of participation in the collective project of national advancement.

In Nigeria’s context, this declaration carries weight. With the enactment of comprehensive tax reforms in recent years (including unified frameworks for tax administration and enforcement) authorities now possess broader statutory tools to ensure compliance and accountability. These measures, which include electronic filing platforms and stronger enforcement powers, have been framed as fair and equitable, targeting efficiency rather than arbitrariness.

Yet the success of these reforms depends heavily on citizens embracing their civic duties with sincerity. And this depends on mutual trust, the belief that paying taxes yields tangible benefits in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and social services.

Voices From Experts: Fiscal Responsibility as a Public Ethic.
Tax law experts and economists, reflecting on the compliance push, have underscored a universal theme: taxation without transparency is inequity, but taxation with accountability is empowerment. When managed with fairness, a functional tax system can reduce dependency on volatile revenue sources, stabilise national budgets, and support long-term investment in human capital.

Professor Aisha Bello, a respected authority in fiscal policy, notes that “Tax compliance is not a burden; it is the foundation upon which social contracts are built. A citizen who honours tax obligations affirms the legitimacy of governance and demands better performance in return.”

Similarly, a leading tax scholar, Dr. Emeka Okon, argues that “The era when Nigerians could evade broader tax responsibilities simply because automatic deductions occur at source must end. For a modern economy, every eligible citizen must be part of the formal tax fold not as victims, but as stakeholders.”

These authoritative voices point to an unassailable truth: filing tax returns is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility, an expression of citizenship in its fullest sense.

Challenges on the Ground: Compliance and Capacity.
While the rhetoric of compliance is compelling, the reality on the ground demands nuanced understanding. Many taxpayers (especially in the informal sector) lack meaningful access to digital platforms and resources for filing returns. For others, the fear of bureaucratic complexity and perceived punitive enforcement deters participation.

The government, for its part, has responded by promoting online systems and pledging greater taxpayer support. Tax authorities are increasingly engaging stakeholders to demystify filing processes, explain requirements and offer assistance. This mix of enforcement and facilitation is essential. As one seasoned revenue specialist observed: “The state cannot compel compliance through force alone; it must earn it through education, simplicity and fairness.”

The Broader Implication: A New Social Compact.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on tax return filing transcends administrative deadlines. It is an unequivocal declaration that national development is a shared responsibility, that citizens and state must engage in a transparent, accountable, and reciprocal relationship.

Tax compliance, therefore, becomes far more than a legal act; it becomes a moral claim on the nation’s future.

When citizens file their returns honestly, they affirm their stake in the nation’s destiny. When the government collects taxes transparently and deploys them effectively, it strengthens not only public services but civic trust itself.

In this sense, the deadlines proclaimed by Nigeria’s fiscal authorities mark not an end but a beginning; the beginning of a civic epoch in which accountability replaces apathy, participation replaces indifference and national purpose triumphs over fragmentation.

The road ahead will not be easy. But in demanding compliance, Nigeria is demanding more than tax returns. It is demanding commitment and that, ultimately, is the foundation on which nations are built.

 

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BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025

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BUA FOODS PLC RECORDS 101% PROFIT GROWTH IN H1 2025, CONSOLIDATES LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA’S FOOD SECTOR …Revenue Rises to ₦912.5 Billion; PBT Hits ₦276.1 Billion

BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025

By femi Oyewale

BUA Foods Plc has delivered one of the most impressive financial performances in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, recording a 91 per cent increase in Profit After Tax (PAT) for the 2025 financial year.
According to the company’s unaudited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, Profit After Tax rose sharply to ₦508 billion, compared with ₦266 billion recorded in 2024, underscoring strong operational efficiency, improved cost management, and resilience despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The near-doubling of profit reflects BUA Foods’ ability to navigate rising input costs, foreign exchange volatility, and inflationary pressures that weighed heavily on manufacturers throughout the year. Analysts note that the performance places the company among the strongest earnings growers on the Nigerian Exchange in 2025.
The company’s Q4 2025 performance further highlights this momentum. Group turnover stood at ₦383.4 billion, while gross profit came in at ₦151.5 billion, demonstrating sustained demand across its core product lines including sugar, flour, pasta, and rice.
Despite a year marked by higher operating costs across the industry, BUA Foods maintained disciplined spending. Administrative and selling expenses were kept under control relative to revenue, helping to protect margins.
Operating profit for Q4 2025 stood at ₦126.9 billion, reinforcing the company’s strong core earnings capacity. Although finance costs and foreign exchange losses remained a factor, reflecting the broader economic realities, BUA Foods still closed the period with a Net Profit Before Tax of ₦102.3 billion for the quarter.
Earnings Per Share Rise Sharply
Shareholders were among the biggest beneficiaries of the strong performance. Earnings Per Share (EPS) rose significantly, reflecting the substantial growth in net income and strengthening the company’s investment appeal.
Market watchers say the improved earnings profile could support sustained investor confidence, especially as the company continues to consolidate its leadership position in Nigeria’s food manufacturing space.
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025

By femi Oyewale
Industry Leadership Amid Economic Headwinds
BUA Foods’ 2025 results stand out against a backdrop of currency depreciation, energy cost spikes, and logistics challenges that constrained many manufacturers. The company’s scale, backward integration strategy, and local sourcing advantages are widely seen as key contributors to its resilience.
Outlook
With a 91% year-on-year growth in PAT, BUA Foods enters 2026 on a strong footing. Analysts expect the company to remain a major driver of growth in the consumer goods sector, provided macroeconomic stability improves and cost pressures ease.
For now, the 2025 numbers send a clear signal: BUA Foods is not only growing—it is accelerating.
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