• The Federal Government has approved a N10 billion housing loan scheme for civil servants
• The programme is set to be implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank and Housing Loans Board
• The initiative aims to improve home ownership, stability, and productivity for civil servants

The Federal Government has approved a N10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at helping Nigerian civil servants achieve home ownership, in a move designed to strengthen workforce stability and productivity.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, made the announcement on Friday, April 24, during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the initiative would be implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

According to her, the programme is part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants while enhancing their efficiency and commitment to national service.

“The Federal Government has approved a N10 billion housing loan scheme to improve access to home ownership for civil servants. This loan will be facilitated through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board,” she said.

Walson-Jack stressed that home ownership plays a critical role in boosting morale and job performance, noting that financial and residential security can significantly impact productivity.

“There is a saying that a person who owns their own home stands differently. When a civil servant knows that their family has a place they can call their own, they come to work with a different swagger, with more stability, more focus and more purpose.”

She described the housing initiative as more than a welfare intervention, framing it as part of the administration’s broader governance philosophy.

“What you are witnessing is not simply a welfare package; it is a philosophy… a well-supported civil servant is a more effective civil servant, and a more effective civil service delivers a stronger Nigeria.”

Beyond housing, the Head of Service highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at transforming the public sector into a more efficient and technology-driven system.

“We are simultaneously building the civil service of tomorrow, a service that is digital and paperless, efficient and transparent, accountable and innovation-driven.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to improving both the welfare and professional capacity of government workers.

“I am committed to ensuring that every civil servant earns better and grows better, with the skills, tools and institutional support to reach their full potential.”

Walson-Jack also underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions, noting that the initiative reflects coordinated efforts across multiple agencies, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Accountant General.

“This is the power of collaboration across government, not working in silos, but institutions working in concert.”

She urged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to sustain this collaborative approach in all aspects of governance and service delivery.

Looking ahead to Workers’ Day on May 1, she said this year’s celebration would carry special meaning for civil servants.

“For the first time in a long time, civil servants can point to concrete, contemporaneous evidence that their contributions are valued at the highest levels.”

She added that the occasion should serve as a moment to renew commitments to workers’ welfare and national development.

“Workers’ Day is not just about remembering the struggles of the past; it is about renewing the promise for the future.”

FG plans 10,000 housing units for healthcare workers under Renewed Hope initiative

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had announced plans to build 10,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Medic Cities initiative, aimed at providing affordable and decent housing for medical professionals across the country.

The Housing Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, outlined the details of the project, highlighting its significance in improving the living conditions of healthcare workers, particularly those facing difficulties in securing accommodation in urban centres.

The initiative was part of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme aimed at improving healthcare workers’ welfare.