Efforts to bridge the housing gap in the South-East have received a major boost following an agreement between the pan-Igbo consortium Igboebini and Hand of God Construction Company Limited to deliver 100,000 housing units across the region within the next 10 years.
The agreement, signed in Enugu, will see mixed housing estates developed in five southeastern states (Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra) and Asaba in Delta State. The initiative aims to stimulate regional economic growth and urban renewal while addressing Nigeria’s estimated housing shortage of 28 million homes.
This ambitious project is expected to redefine urban development in the South East and position the region as a hub for sustainable and inclusive housing and investment for the next decade.
Governors from participating states have already committed to the project by allocating significant land to support the effort, which will be jointly funded by the two organizations.
The proposed estate will feature a smart city design built to international standards, with infrastructure that fosters trade, commerce, industrialization and investment opportunities.
Once completed, the project is expected to create approximately 3 million jobs and significantly improve the standard of living for residents. At a signing ceremony witnessed by land commissioners from South-Eastern states, Igboebinyi President Chinedu Nsofor said the project symbolizes a new vision for Igboland driven by unity, innovation and economic empowerment.
“Ndigbo has everything it takes to create enormous wealth for Igboland, Nigeria and Africa, thereby ending unemployment, poverty and insecurity through profitable trade, commerce, education, technology and a clean environment,” he said.
“With wisdom, unity of purpose and intelligence, we can activate all potentials towards a united, peaceful and progressive Igbo nation within the Federation of Nigeria.”
Nsofor explained that the consortium has introduced a new “zero construction mechanism” aimed at reducing costs and ensuring affordability at all income levels.
Also, Managing Director of Hand of God Construction Company Limited, David Nwachukwu, said the partnership was driven by the need to develop innovative digital-based solutions for housing infrastructure in the region.
“Nigeria’s population is growing rapidly, but the housing sector faces a huge deficit. The South-East needs sustainable solutions to bridge the gap,” he said.
“As we have engaged with Igbo communities in our homeland and diaspora, there is a strong desire among them to invest in their homeland. This platform provides that opportunity.”
Mr Nwachukwu, who is also the Vice Chairman of the South East Zone of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), disclosed that the partnership was inspired by the South East REDAN Cities Initiative and a visit to the UK in 2024 where his team discovered common goals with Mr Igboebini.
“After extensive consideration, we secured strategic land acquisitions across the Southeast to realize this vision. Our goal is to build vibrant, inclusive communities that improve quality of life and foster economic growth,” he added.
Enugu State Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Patrick Okolie, commended the initiative, revealing that the state had already earmarked about 50 hectares of land for the project.
He assured that Enugu would provide more land as needed, noting that the state had criminalized land grabbing to protect investors and property owners.
In his address, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Lands, Nwaobasi Mathew, said the project was timely, noting that it would not only meet housing needs but also create employment opportunities.
He called on regional leaders to take action, saying the continuation of the stay-at-home order on Monday had slowed down economic activities across the South-East, except Ebonyi State.
Imo State Commissioner for Lands and Surveying, Mr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, said the project is an example of effective public-private partnership (PPP) and will help address the housing shortage in the state.
“While Imo is affected by the housing shortage, the government is strengthening its collaboration with federal agencies and developers to facilitate the massive supply of housing,” he said.
