By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The World Agritourism Organisation (WAO) has commissioned Canlink Properties Limited to develop, market and deliver more than 50,000 low- and medium-income housing units across Nigeria under its World Agritourism Centre and Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village Projects.
The housing initiative, announced in Abuja, is expected to span multiple states and is designed to support affordable homeownership, rural transformation, agricultural development, job creation and investment mobilisation in line with national development priorities.
Speaking on the project, the President of WAO, Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, said the initiative goes beyond conventional housing schemes by creating integrated communities where residents can live, work, farm, invest and participate in agriculture and tourism value chains within a sustainable development framework.
He explained that the programme would be implemented within the World Agritourism Centre in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State and selected agritourism village projects across the country, with the aim of connecting housing development to agriculture, tourism, enterprise and innovation.
According to him, the initiative is conceived as a private-sector-driven contribution to the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of affordable housing delivery, food security, youth empowerment and rural economic growth.
The programme is expected to provide affordable housing opportunities for civil servants, farmers, artisans, market associations, corporate organisations, private-sector employees, young professionals and other Nigerians seeking homeownership opportunities.
WAO stated that the integrated development model would provide access to agricultural and farming opportunities, agribusiness ventures, agro-processing activities, tourism enterprises, innovation hubs, skills acquisition programmes and strategic investment platforms.
The organisation noted that the project would also help address rural-urban migration by creating viable communities with housing, employment opportunities, social amenities and supporting infrastructure capable of sustaining economic activities.
Under the arrangement, Canlink Properties Limited will commence structured marketing and mobilisation efforts aimed at attracting individuals, institutions, cooperatives, associations and corporate organisations to participate in the housing programme.
WAO further disclosed that the initiative would create opportunities for collaboration with financial institutions, developers, construction firms, agricultural investors, tourism operators and other stakeholders interested in supporting integrated community development.
The initial pilot phase will cover Benue, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Edo States and the Federal Capital Territory, while additional locations will be incorporated as the Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village Projects expand across the federation.
The organisation said the programme is being advanced under the framework of the World Agritourism Organisation, inaugurated by the Presidency through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and powered by International Tourist Choice Ltd. under the Global Public-Private Partnership Cooperation Framework, with further details on allocation, eligibility and participation to be released in due course.
