The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has revealed a plan by the Federal Government to establish a N100 billion Police Housing Fund.
The IG made the announcement in Abuja on Monday during the launch of the inaugural Nigerian Police Housing Summit.
The summit themed, “Renewed Hope for Police Housing in Nigeria,” was held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during the event, the police chief noted that upon his appointment as the IG, he identified the welfare of police personnel as a cornerstone of his administration.
Egbetokun said, “A key aspect of enhancing our officers’ conditions is the provision of appropriate housing during and after their service. This task is monumental, as the Nigerian Police Force currently grapples with a significant housing shortage for its members across all ranks.
“Presently, housing capacity meets only about 10% of the needs of our more than 400,000-strong workforce. Moreover, years of neglect have rendered existing barracks accommodations largely inadequate, failing to meet the demands of modern 21st-century policing.
“In the past, the Nigeria Police Force has launched initiatives aimed at addressing these shortfalls, including the establishment of the Nigerian Police Force Property Development and Construction Co Ltd and forging partnerships with various state governments, government bodies, sister organisations, and private sector developers.”
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He, however, noted that, unfortunately, the impact of these efforts has been minimal, while highlighting the urgent need for a strategic reassessment and a revamp of the NPF’s execution framework to adequately meet our officers’ housing needs.
He added, “Today marks the launch of the inaugural Nigerian Police Housing Summit. Under the theme ‘Renewed Hope for Police Housing in Nigeria,’ and supported by sub-themes such as ‘Accessible Housing: An Indispensable Welfare Tool,’ and ‘Pragmatic Solutions for Police Housing,’ this summit is envisioned as a critical platform for discussing and developing strategies to realize our goal of providing accessible and affordable housing to our officers and men.
“This premier event also aims to foster comprehensive solutions for the swift delivery of quality, cost-effective housing solutions—both rental and owned—for our force members, active and retired.”
He further revealed that the objectives of the Nigerian Police Housing Summit 2024 were to articulate a vision of ‘effective and efficient’ housing as an essential tool for the welfare of the Nigeria Police Force’s men and officers, amongst other things.
Egbetokun added, “A critical discussion point will be the establishment of a 100billion Naira Police Housing Fund. Preliminary assessments are underway, and engagements with key players and institutions have begun. The experts and facilitators gathered here today will play a crucial role in refining our strategies and ideas.
“We firmly believe that our men and officers deserve better, and the current state of affairs offers little hope for meeting their housing needs effectively. Today, we take a significant step towards realizing our new vision and expanding opportunities for home ownership among our ranks.”
The IG further expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, and the Honourable Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa, “for their leadership in delivering affordable housing to Nigerians through the ‘Renewed Hope Cities’ initiative.”
