The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Shehu Usman Osidi, today, received the Secretary General of the International Union for Housing Finance (IUHF), Germany, Mr. Mark Weinrich, for a strategic engagement aimed at improving access to mortgage financing in Nigeria. The visit focused on exchanging ideas, sharing global best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to Nigeria’s housing challenges.
Accompanying Mr. Weinrich were the former Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Dr. (Mrs.) Hannatu Fika, and the Chief Executive Officer of Niche PR and Events Consultancy, Mrs. Marcella Iyitor.
In his welcome address, Osidi highlighted the importance of the collaboration, noting that Mr. Weinrich’s presence affirms the collaborative spirit between IUHF and FMBN. He praised the IUHF’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange, which are essential for advancing affordable and accessible mortgage financing.
The MD/CE highlighted the active participation of the FMBN in programs and conferences organized by IUHF and the African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF), reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to leveraging global partnerships to achieve its housing goals. He also unveiled the Bank’s plan to establish a digital National Mortgage Assets Registry as directed by the National Council on Land, Housing, and Urban Development, further demonstrating FMBN’s leadership in modernizing Nigeria’s mortgage infrastructure.
In his remarks, Mr. Weinrich lauded FMBN’s efforts at providing affordable housing loans to Nigerians, expressing IUHF’s readiness to support the Bank with technical assistance. He introduced the Kazakhstan mortgage finance model, renowned for its ability to address both housing demand and supply efficiently, resulting in affordable housing solutions and increased homeownership.
Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdu, FMBN’s Executive Director, Loans and Mortgage Services, stressed the strategic value of partnerships like this in attracting international funding for housing development in Nigeria.
On her part, Dr. (Mrs.) Fika reiterated the urgent need for the Federal Government to recapitalize FMBN, emphasizing its critical role in addressing the nation’s housing deficit.