BY DAVID ISIAH
ABUJA — The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice has reacted strongly to the recent cabinet reshuffle approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning against what it describes as a growing campaign to distort the legacy of the outgoing Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
While acknowledging the President’s constitutional authority to reconstitute his cabinet, the coalition said it would not stand by while “political revisionists and sponsored voices” attempt to downplay what it insists was a transformative tenure.
“Any attempt to portray Arc. Dangiwa’s tenure as anything short of transformative is not only misleading but an affront to verifiable progress,” the group stated, insisting that the former minister turned a “largely bureaucratic institution into a results-driven engine of national
development” in under three years.
According to the coalition, Dangiwa’s time in office saw the launch of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, which recorded the flag-off of over 6,612 housing units nationwide, with a phase-one target of 50,000 units—an effort it says has significantly reshaped Nigeria’s housing narrative.
The group also highlighted the mobilization of over ₦279 billion into the National Housing Fund, describing it as “an unprecedented milestone in the scheme’s history,” alongside the inauguration of four strategic Housing Sector Reform Task Teams aimed at overhauling land administration and boosting building materials production.
It further pointed to urban renewal projects in more than 150 underserved communities, saying the initiatives helped restore dignity and improve living conditions for vulnerable Nigerians.
“We are aware of vested interests unsettled by Arc. Dangiwa’s insistence on professionalism, transparency, and strict adherence to construction standards,” the coalition said. “Let it be known: any campaign aimed at discrediting his legacy will be firmly countered with facts and evidence.”
Defending the circumstances surrounding his exit, the group stressed that “Arc. Dangiwa’s exit is not a reflection of failure, but a transition from a tenure defined by measurable impact, institutional reform, and integrity.”
The coalition commended the former minister for his service and urged his successor, Dr. Muttaqha Darma, to build on the foundation laid during Dangiwa’s tenure.
“We commend Arc. Dangiwa for his service and dedication to national development,” the statement read, adding that the group remains committed to ensuring “that the gains recorded in the housing sector are preserved and advanced.”
