A coalition of civil society organisations has come to the defence of former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, warning against what it described as attempts to distort his record following the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice said while it respects the President’s constitutional authority to restructure his cabinet, it would not tolerate “revisionist narratives” aimed at undermining Dangiwa’s tenure.
The group described the former minister’s time in office as a “golden era” for Nigeria’s housing sector, citing what it called significant reforms and delivery milestones achieved within less than three years.
According to the coalition, Dangiwa transformed the ministry into a “high-performance delivery engine,” highlighted by the rollout of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, which reportedly saw the commencement of over 6,600 housing units nationwide. The programme, it said, is part of a broader plan targeting 50,000 units in its first phase.
The statement also credited Dangiwa with boosting financial inflows into the National Housing Fund, claiming that over ₦279 billion in additional contributions were mobilised during his tenure—an unprecedented figure in the scheme’s history.
On institutional reforms, the coalition said the former minister established four Housing Sector Reform Task Teams aimed at improving land administration and developing building materials manufacturing hubs. It added that urban renewal initiatives under his leadership impacted more than 150 communities through slum upgrade interventions.
The group, however, alleged that some vested interests had been uncomfortable with Dangiwa’s “technical professionalism” and strict adherence to construction standards. It warned that any attempt to discredit him would be met with “robust, data-backed responses.”
“Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa is not leaving because of a lack of performance; he is leaving a legacy of structures, reforms and integrity,” the statement said.
The coalition congratulated the incoming minister, Muttaqha Darma, urging him to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.
It also pledged continued monitoring of the housing sector to ensure that the gains recorded in recent years are sustained.
