By Sulyman Gobir
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has pledged to include judicial officers and court personnel in the Federal Government’s ongoing housing interventions across Nigeria.
Darma made the commitment when the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
The minister assured that the government would work with the judiciary and other institutions to deliver the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, stressing that partnerships would remain central to efforts to tackle Nigeria’s housing shortage.
He put the country’s housing deficit at about 15 million units and described closing the gap as a national responsibility. “No matter how big and large the task ahead is, it is possible to bridge the gap,” Darma said.
According to him, the ministry would extend its housing projects to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with judicial officers and court personnel included in the interventions.
The minister also said the government was implementing its housing programmes with a national outlook that covers different locations and levels of government, including states and local government areas.
He affirmed that providing decent and affordable housing would require sustained government commitment, strategic planning and cooperation among public institutions and other stakeholders.
Darma welcomed the proposed partnership with the NJI and commended its leadership for seeking ways to improve the welfare and living conditions of its personnel.
NJI seeks role in housing programme
Justice Adejumo said the NJI is ready to collaborate with the Housing Ministry on capacity development, training and institutional support.
Adejumo assured that the institute could provide its conference facilities and other resources for relevant training programmes, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional development.
“The National Judicial Institute is saddled with the responsibility of providing training, capacity building and continuing education for judicial officers and court personnel,” he said.
Justice Adejumo stressed that any partnership would comply with the law and respect the independence and constitutional responsibilities of the judiciary.
He also urged the minister to consider the housing needs of judicial officers and court personnel when allocating houses under the Federal Government’s housing programmes.
