Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has made a case for the adoption of green, sustainable, and climate smart housing designs and technologies in the country’s housing industry, charging professionals in the sector to be innovative and ingenious.
Speaking at the 2024 Archibuilt Exposition, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, Dangiwa encouraged the institute and other built environment professionals to explore alternative and sustainable solutions.
“We have seen transformative ideas at previous expositions, from using sustainable materials to implementing energy-efficient designs, water conservation techniques, and zero-emission construction technologies. These ongoing discussions will shape the future of construction in Nigeria and have global implications. We need innovation driven by technology and equitable resource utilization models,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized the crucial role architects play in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities. He stressed that architects have the ability to design urban spaces that are inclusive, resilient, and adaptable to future needs.
He posed critical questions to the audience: “How can we ensure our cities are not only environmentally sustainable but also inclusive and socially equitable? How can we develop urban ecosystems that support healthy living, economic growth, and environmental stewardship, while still being groundbreaking?”
Dangiwa also highlighted the pressing issues of rapid rural-to-urban migration and skyrocketing population growth, which are straining infrastructure. He noted that African countries have struggled to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and that the population is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, with Nigeria alone projected to account for over 400 million people, making it the third largest country globally.
