Our Stand (56) —

Exactly a month ago, the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari reconstituted the Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to succeed the previous board led by Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa who had their tenure elapse.

While the new borad is led by Hamman Madu, a man with a background of over 30 years in the mortgage industry, representing the North-East zone, other members include Umar Zubaida, Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services – representing the North-West zone; Chukwuma Kingsley, Executive Director, Business Development and Portfolio Management – representing the South-South zone; Mustapha Lukman Olayiwola, Executive Director, Loans and Mortgage Services – representing the North-Central zone.

Others listed by the presidency included Abimbola Asein from the South-West zone – representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Ejezie Sandra Nkechi, South-East – representing the Public, as well as two representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Having had a close business working relationship with the FMBN under the past board, Viewpoint Housing Media, publishers of Viewpoint Housing News and an outfit advocating for affordable housing and supporting stakeholders in the built industry, welcome the new board and hope that together, with other housing stakeholders in the country, will chart a new course to build on some of the achievements of the past board and develop improved ways of growing the Nigerian built industry.

Housing which is one of the three key neccessities of life has not reached its full potentials, despite soothing policies and programs carried out by the government and other housing bodies in the country, added with the vast natural and human resources that can aid a fast pace growth of the housing industry, the sector is still struggling to maximize these potentials.

However, we believe that with the coming of your board, more improvements in the housing sector and the yearnings of the common man (the low and medium income earners) to own their homes, with less stringent measures will see the light of day. If the housing needs of the people are met, the government would have succeeded in reducing 40 percent of home responsibilities for many families.

We wish you the best of working experience as you strive to contribute your efforts in developing the Nigerian built industry.