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FG to Establish National Land Commission… Put in Place Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law
FG to Establish National Land Commission
… Put in Place Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has announced plan to establish a National Land Commission, even as it revealed that works are on to put in place a Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangari disclosed this on Tuesday at the ongoing 6th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, NDIS in Abuja
The summit which has as theme, “New Vistas, New Aspirations, New Visions: The Diaspora and National Development is put to gather NDIS in conjucntion with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Dangiwa, in his remarks at the Summit, said the Land Commission when established will outline clear implementation guideline for the land Use Act.
The Minister said: “We are working to establish a National Land Commission. Part of their work will be to outline clear implementation guidelines for the Land Use Act to chart a new path of effective land administration in the country.”
He revealed that: “Last week I met with the leadership of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms, Prof. Peter Adeniyi, where I committed to incorporating the comprehensive work, they have done over 14-years in our land reform strategy.
“As the renowned land reform scholar said, experience shows that a nation can never develop if it does not conduct land reform. This will be done under the Renewed Hope Action Plan for Housing.”
Dangari further explained: “Notable part of our housing sector reforms that is of particular interest to the Diaspora interested in investing in the housing and real estate sector is land reforms. What we envision is a streamlined land administration that cuts through the bureaucratic bottlenecks and systemic inefficiencies to ensure cost effective and efficient access to land for both individuals and investors in our country.
“Currently, we have a situation where the Land Use Act, which was enacted in 1978 has no complementary institution set up alongside it to provide the necessary framework, guidelines, and regulations for operationalizing it. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we aim to fix this systemic anomaly”.
The Minister also revealed that government is working towards having a uniformed mortgage system.
He said: “The second is the nationwide adoption of the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law. The Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL) provides contemporary provisions on the creation, registration, and enforcement of mortgages, along with remedies like foreclosure and the enforcement of mortgages on real properties and related purposes in Nigeria.
“As of date, the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL) has been passed in only four (4) states, including Lagos, Kaduna, Ekiti, and Nasarawa States. We aim to drive its passage in all the states of the federation as part of our efforts to ensure that investments in the housing and mortgage sector are protected.”
He hinted of government’s plan towards “boosting local manufacturing of building materials,” adding that: “Nigeria’s shortfall in the supply of quality housing stock presents a good opportunity for investors.”
He said: “To drive this, we aim to create an enabling environment for private sector players to produce building materials locally to lower cost, create jobs, grow the local economy, and ultimately ensure inclusive growth.
“To do this we are planning to establish six (6) manufacturing hubs – one in each of the six (6) geo-political zones in the country. The hubs will be provided with relevant facilities, including access roads, electricity, fit for purpose housing and relevant linkages for manufacturers to site their firms and operate. We are also proposing relevant incentives that will make it more profitable and rewarding for the private sector to manufacture building materials locally. “
The Minister who also launched the Diapsora Housing Mortgage Loan, assured Nigerians in Diaspora that the government is willing to support them to own houses in the country.
He said: “And as a Ministry, we are willing to support Diaspora initiatives in the housing and urban development space as well as encourage partnerships with the Diaspora towards making a change in the housing and urban development narrative of our dear country.
“It is important for me state that when we think about the Diaspora, we are not only thinking of them as sources of finance to develop our country, but we also see them as Nigerians, who though abroad, are desirous of owning homes in Nigeria. “
The Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme, he explained “is designed to enable Nigerians living overseas participate in the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme so they can access up to N50million to own their homes in Nigeria. Participants can access the loan via a National Housing Fund (NHF) loan, Rent-to-Own or the Individual Construction loan window.
“The terms are affordable and best market rates. This includes a single-digit interest rate of 9%, and a payback period of up to 10 years.
“As part of the initiative, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria will facilitate the construction of affordable housing units in major cities that meets the specifications of Nigerians in Diaspora.
“I want to say that the FMBN is not the only agency under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development that is delving into catering to the housing needs of the Diaspora.
“The Federal Housing Authority (FHA)is also involved as part of the Ministry’s sector wide effort to cater to the Diaspora. They have undertaken to develop the Diaspora City Project under a Public Private Partnership comprising the FHA, The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the private sector. The Project is situated in Maitama 2, with over 675 hectares of land. The FCT administration has committed to opening the road and providing the relevant infrastructure. The Diaspora City project is designed to have bungalows, semi-and detached duplexes, and mansions to reflect its inclusive essence.
“So, today, I want to say that I am excited to be the Minister of Housing and Urban Development to launch the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, which I initiated as the MD/CE of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria on this auspicious occasion. Indeed, I consider it a positive twist of fate and “I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians in the diaspora to seize the opportunity the Scheme affords them to actualize their dreams of owning affordable homes in Nigeria.
“Our overall goal is to ensure that as our brothers and sisters’ sojourn abroad, they also have a decent shelter over here in Nigeria to call their home.”
On the country’s mortgage system, he said, “I am aware that the Mortgage scheme is set to be formally launched in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States soon, and it is my hope that the diaspora community would take full advantage of this opportunity and massively subscribe to reap its short and long-term benefits.”
The Minister equally assured the Diasporans of government commitment to sustaining necessary partnership with all relevant stakeholders.
“As I conclude my speech, I would like to assure you of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s commitment to sustaining the necessary collaborations, partnerships, and engagements with all relevant Stakeholders in the Housing and Urban Development sector, as we all work together towards ensuring the success of the Diaspora Housing Mortgage scheme, providing affordable housing, and ensuring sustainable urban development for Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission(NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerians in Diaspora to catch in on the current opportunities by investing in the country, insisting that now is the best time to invest in Nigeria.
She said: “My dear guests seated here and online, I assure you that this is an exciting time to be doing business in Nigeria,and this Summit is a step in making investment and growth a reality, because as Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora, we should always be conscious of the fact that Home is Home, and no one can develop Nigeria ike Nigerians.”
Dabiri-Erewa said in the quest of the Federal Government to go far in repositioning the economy, there was a need to partner with the Diaspora in achieving these goals.
She said: “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has just returned from attending the Saudi-Africa Summit made efforts to underscore Nigeria’s commitment to attracting more Diaspora direct investment and expand business partnerships, which are strongly reinforced by the administration’s ongoing domestic economic reforms.
“The summit is very appropriate because it creates innovative platforms of partnerships, between the Government and the Diaspora, in attracting investment into local businesses and thus enhancing Diaspora Direct Investment in the country,” she added.
FG to Establish National Land Commission
… Put in Place Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law
News
Police exhume seven bodies over Yelwata killings, as part of the Presidential Medical Delegation Investigation in Benue
Police exhume seven bodies over Yelwata killings, as part of the Presidential Medical Delegation Investigation in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Benue have exhumed seven in connection with the 2025 Yelwata killings as part of ongoing investigations by the Presidential Medical Delegation as part of efforts to ensure justice for victims of what he described as a brutal assault.
Zagazola learnt that the exhumation was carried out on Feb. 24 by federal investigators led by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) following an earlier situation report on the exercise.
According to the sources, the bodies were exhumed for inquest, adding that the exercise would continue at a later date.
“Seven corpses have been exhumed by the IRT-led federal investigators for inquest. The exercise will continue, and further development will be communicated,” police sources said.
Forensic pathologists from the Federal Ministry of Justice have arrived in Benue State to investigate the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata, a community in the Guma Local Government Area of the state.
The Presidential Medical Delegation on Monday visited Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to inspect graves of victims of the June 2025 attack on the community.
Security sources said the delegation visited the burial site where victims of the attack were interred, and the graves were identified as part of ongoing investigative and medical review processes.
The deployment follows proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on 2 February 2026 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in connection with the Yelwata attack.
The court stressed the importance of forensic evidence to ensure a fair trial and proper determination of culpability.
The sources added that adequate security measures were put in place to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free exercise.
The Guma Local government Yelwata attack of June 13, 2025, resulted in the deaths of several residents and forced many others to flee their homes.
Police exhume seven bodies over Yelwata killings, as part of the Presidential Medical Delegation Investigation in Benue
Farmer Killed in Yobe Over Land Dispute, Pastoralists Injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A farmer, Moh’d Abdullahi, 50, of Garin Mallam Village, Karasuwa LGA, has been killed after being shot with arrows during an altercation with pastoralists on his farmland on Monday.
Sources said the suspects, identified as Usmanu Alh. Musa, Buba Alh. Manu, and Ahmadu Inusa, all from Tarja Fulani Settlement in Jakusko LGA, allegedly trespassed onto Abdullahi’s farmland. When the farmer cautioned them, the suspects attacked him, leaving him with fatal injuries.
In the ensuing retaliation, some villagers assaulted Ahmadu Inusa, who sustained injuries to various parts of his body. Both victims were rushed to Specialist Hospital Gashua in Bade LGA, where Abdullahi was certified dead, while Inusa received medical attention and remains hospitalized.
The body of Abdullahi was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites. Investigations into the incident and the circumstances surrounding the dispute are ongoing.
Farmer Killed in Yobe Over Land Dispute, Pastoralists Injured
Nigeria’s Support Against US Blockade Vital, Says Cuban Ambassador
By: Michael Mike
The Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero, has commended Nigeria and the African Union for their consistent opposition to the decades-long United States economic blockade against Cuba, describing the sanctions regime as an “unjust system of coercion” that has inflicted prolonged hardship on the Cuban people.
Speaking at the Conference of the Solidarity Movement with Cuba in Nigeria, Palmero expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s repeated votes at the United Nations General Assembly in favour of resolutions calling for an end to the US embargo.
“Nigeria is one of the countries which has voted at the United Nations General Assembly in favour of the resolution against the economic, commercial and financial blockade,” she said. “We highly value Nigeria’s support.”
She also acknowledged what she described as the historic stance of the African Union, particularly its recent resolution condemning the US blockade policy and Cuba’s inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The ambassador characterised the US embargo as more than a bilateral dispute, calling it “a deliberate policy of asphyxiation” designed to force political surrender through economic deprivation.
“For more than six decades, Cuba has faced one of the most prolonged and unjust systems of economic, commercial and financial coercion in contemporary history,” she said.
Palmero criticised a recent executive order signed by US President Donald Trump which, she said, threatens sanctions against countries that supply fuel to Cuba. She described the move as extraterritorial and a violation of international law.
According to her, the measures are intended to worsen shortages in energy, nutrition, healthcare, education and transportation, while exerting pressure on other nations to limit cooperation with Cuba.
“We do not accept threats. We do not accept blackmail. We do not accept interference,” she declared.
Despite economic difficulties, the ambassador maintained that Cuba has consistently extended assistance to other nations, particularly in healthcare and education.
She highlighted Cuba’s long-standing medical diplomacy, noting that Cuban doctors, teachers and technical experts have served in dozens of countries, including Nigeria.
“Cuba represents no threat whatsoever to any country,” Palmero said. “Our foreign policy is one of solidarity, peace, friendship and cooperation, fully committed to international law and the United Nations Charter.”
She described it as “inconceivable” that the world’s largest economic and military power would consider Cuba a threat.
Beyond condemning the blockade, the ambassador used the conference to call for a stronger and more structured Solidarity Movement with Cuba in Nigeria.
She urged trade unions, academic institutions, youth groups, community organisations and media platforms to amplify advocacy efforts in support of Cuba, especially as sanctions intensify.
“This meeting is not only an expression of political and moral support,” she said. “It is a strategic moment to strengthen the structure of the Solidarity Movement with Cuba in Nigeria.”
Palmero encouraged participants to develop a coordinated action plan that would increase mobilisation, communication and public engagement throughout the year.
The ambassador reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to sovereignty and its chosen social model, insisting that the country would not bow to external pressure.
“We know that the Cuban people are not alone,” she said. “Cuba will never renounce its independence.”
She declared that: “Because justice cannot be blockaded. Because dignity cannot be sentenced. Because solidarity is stronger than any coercive measure.”
The conference brought together members of Nigeria’s solidarity movement, trade union representatives, Cuban-trained graduates and supporters of Cuba–Nigeria relations, underscoring the longstanding diplomatic ties between both nations.
Nigeria’s Support Against US Blockade Vital, Says Cuban Ambassador
Police exhume seven bodies over Yelwata killings, as part of the Presidential Medical Delegation Investigation in Benue
Farmer Killed in Yobe Over Land Dispute, Pastoralists Injured
Nigeria’s Support Against US Blockade Vital, Says Cuban Ambassador
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