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Drawn from Giddaa’s interview with the FCDA Department of Mass Housing and PPP. Developers should consult the official gazetted Mass Housing Guidelines for full requirements.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, has declared a public safety emergency on substance abuse, unveiling sweeping executive orders aimed at curbing the trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs across the state.

The executive orders, signed on Wednesday, prohibit the sale, distribution and abuse of illicit substances, as well as the sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products without a valid prescription, in what the government described as one of its most decisive interventions against the growing drug menace.

Under the new directives, movement in communities identified as major centres of drug abuse will be restricted daily from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., while security agencies have been authorised to stop, search, arrest and prosecute suspected drug traffickers and offenders.

Yusuf also announced that Certificates of Occupancy of properties used for the sale or trafficking of illicit drugs would be revoked as part of measures to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.

Shortly after signing the executive orders, the governor inaugurated a multi-agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force to implement the emergency measures and coordinate enforcement activities.

He said the declaration was backed by the provisions of Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code Law and Cap 89 of 1991, which empower the state government to take extraordinary steps to address threats to public safety.

Yusuf described substance abuse as one of the greatest threats confronting Kano, saying the widespread consumption of illicit drugs among young people has contributed significantly to rising violent crimes, family disintegration, economic hardship and social instability.

According to him, the newly inaugurated task force has been mandated to identify, map and dismantle hideouts of Daba gangs, destroy drug dens and reclaim areas serving as criminal enclaves across the state.

He said the committee has also been empowered to arrest, detain and prosecute gang leaders, members, sponsors and financiers involved in illicit drug trafficking.

Yusuf pledged full government support for the task force, promising adequate funding, operational vehicles, office accommodation, logistics and security backing while guaranteeing its operational independence.

He added that the committee would coordinate intelligence gathering, law enforcement operations, public awareness campaigns, rehabilitation initiatives and collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to tackle the drug crisis comprehensively.

Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, chairman of the Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the committee.

Rimingado assured residents that the task force would carry out its assignment with integrity, professionalism and without compromise.

He said members of the committee were fully aware of the magnitude of their responsibility and would work closely with security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, educational institutions and community leaders to combat drug abuse and restore lasting peace in Kano.

He expressed confidence that the task force would significantly reduce drug-related crimes and improve public safety across the state.

The task force comprises representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as members drawn from civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the business community.

Land commission voice needed on contemporary public land issues

The third cohort of commissioners at the National Land Commission (NLC) assumed office in March. Having settled into their roles, they must now tackle the many unresolved public land issues facing the country – and, crucially, be seen to be doing so.

The NLC carries significant historical baggage. It is one of the institutions that powerful political interests resisted from the outset.

It was removed from the final draft of the Constitution before parliamentary debate, only to be reinstated after sustained pressure from stakeholders.

Later, after the first commissioners had been vetted and approved, their appointment was delayed until a High Court petition compelled the President to gazette them.

Kenyans therefore fought hard and spent considerable public resources to secure the Commission’s place in the country’s governance architecture. They expected it to safeguard public land, stop illegal allocations and address historical injustices.

That history should guide the current commissioners. Their constitutional independence and security of tenure were designed to enable them to act without fear or favour.

While the Commission has continued with routine responsibilities – including processing allotment letters, valuing land acquired for public projects, developing technical guidelines and conducting research – the public expects much more.

It must make tangible progress in reviewing illegally or irregularly allocated public land and resolving historical land injustices, whose timelines Parliament has already extended.

Equally important, the Commission must become a visible voice in national debates involving public land. Its silence on several high-profile disputes has been striking. During the controversy over the excision of land belonging to Kenyatta University for reallocation, the Commission was largely absent. Similar silence accompanied disputes over proposed developments in Karura and Ngong forests.

Today, public concern over developments in Imenti Forest continues to grow, while the eviction of settlers from KMC and Portland Cement land in Athi River also passed without a strong intervention from the Commission.

Such absences weaken public confidence in the institution charged with protecting public land.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has recently recovered public land belonging to KBC, Posta and other state institutions from powerful individuals. Such victories would carry greater weight if they were accompanied by visible leadership from the National Land Commission.

Most urgently, the Commission must address the recent court ruling on the Ruaraka land saga, in which it approved Sh1.5 billion in compensation for land later found to be public.

A clear explanation is essential. Without one, public perception may shift from viewing the Commission as a guardian of public land to questioning whether it was complicit in its loss.

AI partnership to guide deployment of $750m rural electrification fund – REA

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has renewed and expanded its partnership with German technology company VIDA to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data and analytics in guiding the implementation of Nigeria’s $750 million rural electrification programme, aimed at providing electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians.

The renewed collaboration, formalised through the signing of a joint statement in Abuja on Wednesday, is expected to strengthen data-driven planning for the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring that public investments are directed to underserved communities in the most cost-effective manner.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, said reliable data is critical to achieving universal energy access, particularly in a country with one of the world’s largest populations without electricity.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved $750 million in funding for the agency to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids, making strategic planning essential to maximise the impact of the investment.

‘We do not want to just take this funding and start electrifying communities. We need data. We need a plan that tells us where these Nigerians without electricity are located and what the least-cost option is for providing them with electricity,’ Aliyu said.

He explained that VIDA has developed an artificial intelligence platform capable of mapping communities across Nigeria, identifying the number of households, analysing socio-economic indicators and determining communities that remain without electricity.

The platform, he said, enables the agency to allocate public funds more efficiently while reducing the time and cost associated with field surveys.

‘Imagine if we had to visit every community ourselves to determine the number of households and identify unelectrified areas. Artificial intelligence has helped us avoid those costs while giving us better information for planning,’ he added.

Aliyu noted that the partnership, which operates on an annual basis, has been in place for about 18 months and has now been extended for another year.

Beyond supporting electrification planning, he said the data generated through the collaboration could also be applied to broader economic development planning.

He added that the agency is also prioritising knowledge transfer to ensure REA personnel can continue using AI-powered planning tools independently in the future.

According to him, Nigeria’s experience has attracted interest from other African countries seeking to replicate the data-driven approach to rural electrification.

Speaking at the meeting, Tobias Engelmeier, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of VIDA, described Nigeria as one of the company’s most dynamic markets for deploying artificial intelligence to improve infrastructure planning.

He said VIDA’s technology combines data, mapping and analytics to help governments make faster, smarter and more efficient infrastructure investment decisions.

‘My interest is to make the best available technology accessible to the people who need it most, and Nigeria is a very strong use case,’ Engelmeier said.

He noted that the collaboration with REA and development partners, including the World Bank, has demonstrated how AI-driven data can improve transparency and accelerate private sector participation in renewable energy projects.

According to him, the data platform has supported the design of REA’s subsidy scheme for distributed renewable energy projects by providing investors with greater visibility into potential markets and underserved communities.

‘That level of transparency did not exist before. It has helped accelerate private sector investment in electrification across Nigeria, and we can monitor progress on the platform every day,’ he said.

Engelmeier added that while VIDA operates as a commercial technology company, its pricing depends on the scope of work, enabling it to continue investing in talent and innovation while supporting governments with advanced planning tools.

The renewed partnership forms part of broader Nigerian-German cooperation to expand universal energy access through technology-driven planning, improve investment efficiency and accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy.

How Kenya can optimise digital marine insurance integrationv

Global trade is facing unprecedented disruption as geopolitical tensions, shipping bottlenecks and climate-related shocks strain supply chains.

For an import-dependent economy like Kenya, these disruptions have raised the cost of imports while slowing exports to key international markets.

Amid concerns over freight charges and delayed shipments, one crucial issue deserves greater attention: marine cargo insurance. Long treated as a routine administrative requirement, marine insurance has become a critical element of business continuity and regulatory compliance.

Kenya’s regulatory environment has changed significantly. Under Section 20 of the Insurance Act, all marine cargo insurance for imports must be obtained from locally licensed insurers.

Although the law has existed for years, enforcement has intensified following the integration of marine insurance verification into the Kenya Revenue Authority’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS).

Today, imported cargo cannot be cleared at the Port of Mombasa or other entry points unless the ICMS digitally confirms a valid local marine insurance policy.

This has helped eliminate fake or altered insurance certificates, reduced revenue leakages and improved the integrity of customs processes. Digital verification has also streamlined cargo clearance by reducing reliance on paper documentation.

However, increased automation brings new risks. Because the system depends on uninterrupted digital infrastructure, technical failures can delay cargo clearance, causing costly backlogs, storage charges and losses, especially for time-sensitive or perishable goods.

To sustain efficiency, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Insurance Regulatory Authority and technology providers must invest in reliable systems, backup infrastructure and contingency measures that keep trade moving during outages without compromising security.

Businesses, too, must rethink their approach. Marine insurance is no longer merely a regulatory obligation but an essential risk management tool.

In an era of global uncertainty, ensuring shipments are adequately insured through compliant local providers protects businesses from costly disruptions while supporting a stronger and more resilient domestic insurance sector.

Group alleges Governor Adeleke destroying Accord Party

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has reacted to what it described as false and misleading remarks made by the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Akande, during a radio programme.

The group also warned Governor Ademola Adeleke against actions capable of costing him his re-election.

In a statement issued by the South-West Coordinator of GHSM, Abass Olaniyi, the movement said the comments credited to the Osun Accord Chairman regarding Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Accord’s presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, were based on fabricated documents, deliberate misrepresentation of facts and a distortion of political timelines.

Abass stated that while Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Tinubu was a carry-over from the PDP into Accord Party, the National leadership of Accord Party had already demonstrated its Presidential direction by actively lobbying Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to join the party and contest the 2027 election.

According to GHSM, on July 21, 2025, the Osun PDP leadership caucus endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, a decision widely reported while Governor Adeleke remained a PDP governor. The movement noted that it rejected the endorsement at the time because it was inconsistent with its political position.

The movement also recalled that in March 2026, the National leadership of Accord Party, led by its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, visited Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and engaged him on joining the party to contest the presidential election.

The delegation, which included the party’s National Secretary, Adebukola Abiola Ajaja; National Treasurer, Salaudeen Abdulazeez Oyeniyi; and Organising Secretary, Ibe ThankGod, met with Olawepo-Hashim in Abuja as part of efforts to build a broad National political platform ahead of 2027.

GHSM stated that following the engagement, Olawepo-Hashim followed due process to participate in the party’s Presidential process and emerged as the Presidential Candidate of the party.

Abass said the engagement clearly contradicts claims that Accord Party had no Presidential direction, stressing that the party’s National leadership in April 2026 publicly disowned Governor Adeleke’s purported endorsement of President Tinubu and reaffirmed Accord’s National Presidential agenda.

‘So, the facts are clear. Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu before joining Accord Party. Also, Accord Party’s National leadership lobbied Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to provide Presidential leadership for the party, and he emerged as the Presidential candidate of the party through open direct primaries.

‘Therefore, the argument that Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu was caused by the absence of a Presidential candidate in Accord does not align with the timeline of events,’ GHSM stated.

The South-West Coordinator warned that Governor Adeleke’s political approach within Accord Party raises concerns similar to the internal contradictions that weakened the PDP.

Abass said political parties are strengthened when members respect institutions, structures and collective decisions rather than allowing individual interests to determine the direction of the party.

‘Accord Party must not travel the same path that weakened PDP. A political party cannot survive when individual calculations are placed above the collective aspirations of its members,’ he stated.

GHSM further stated that 24 State Chairmen of Accord Party across the federation have endorsed Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, while noting that the legal dispute surrounding the party’s Presidential Primary is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The movement stressed that it would not make public comments on a matter already before the court.

‘The issue of Accord Party’s presidential primary is reserved for judgment at the Federal High Court in Abuja. As responsible stakeholders, we will not engage in public commentary on a matter that is before the court. We have confidence in the judicial process and await the decision of the court,’ GHSM stated.

GHSM cautioned that Governor Adeleke’s political future in Osun State depends on the unity and strength of the platform under which he seeks re-election.

The movement insisted that failure to recognise and work with key stakeholders supporting Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim could deepen divisions within Accord Party and affect its electoral prospects.

The movement reaffirmed its commitment to the presidential project of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, describing it as a movement focused on political renewal, competence, institutional reform and National transformation.

The captured win: A founder’s mirror

On Sunday evening, in a stadium in New Jersey, a substitute named Ferran Torres struck the only goal of the 2026 World Cup final. Spain 1, Argentina 0. The 106th minute.

The defending champions, dethroned. The score tells you almost nothing. The details tell you everything.

Argentina did not manage a single shot on goal in 90 minutes. Their goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, made 11 saves, a record for a World Cup final; another way of saying his teammates abandoned him to the storm.

They played it rough, lost Enzo Fernández to a second yellow, and still they lost. But the final was only the last chapter. The muttering had followed Argentina through the whole tournament. Egypt in the Round of 16, where the beaten side left calling the officiating unfair.

Switzerland in the quarter-final. The England semi-final, where the internet noticed that Messi had never lost a match handled by the appointed referee.

Fans on three continents arrived at the same conclusion: the champions were being carried. Let me be careful here. There is no evidence that anyone paid anyone. None. Referees have ordinary afternoons. Statistics produce coincidences. Argentina won its matches and then lost the one that mattered, and that is the entire factual record.

What interests me is the speed of the suspicion. Days later, a clip found its way to me. Schoolchildren, dissecting the match with their teacher.

One child delivered the verdict without hesitation: Argentina had the referee. Argentina had everybody. And they still lost. Children say the quiet part first. Offered a defeat to explain, the young mind did not reach for tactics or fatigue. It reached for the pocket. The fix.

Call it the captured win: the belief, sometimes true, sometimes merely assumed, that victory is secured not by playing better but by owning the conditions. The referee. The committee. The gatekeeper.

The illusion does its damage even where the deed never happened.

Where superstars gather, rooms assume the whistle bends for them. Its quieter sibling is the clean win: victory that survives scrutiny because it needed nobody’s pocket, victory the watching world can believe. Now bring this home, because this was never a column about football.

Every founder building in this market knows the child’s arithmetic intimately. Somewhere between the proposal and the payment sits a hand. The tender that is technically open and practically decided. We rarely name it in daylight, but we budget for it in the dark. I have watched this story enough times to write its script.

A founder raises capital on impressive revenue. The numbers are real; the money did arrive. What the deck does not disclose is how. Then institutional investors arrive with what institutions bring: governance, audits, anti-bribery clauses. The machine stalls, not because the founder forgot how to build, but because the company’s ethos was the handout ecosystem.

Greased revenue is a captured win wearing the costume of a clean one. It survives only in the dark, and capital brings light. This is the rock and the hard place. If I pay, I am complicit. If I do not pay, I am not paid.

A founder in that position is not fully a founder. He is working for the gate. We call ourselves owners while the ecosystem quietly owns us.

This is not a public-sector illness the private sector watches from a safe distance. The same game runs left, right and centre. It has become culture, the most dangerous infrastructure, because nobody remembers building it and everybody maintains it.

Here is the harder question, and I will not pretend it resolves cleanly. When capture becomes the default explanation for every outcome, a lost tender, a won election, a football final watched from a classroom desk, the illusion has stopped being commentary and become bedrock. Which came first? Is our politics the parent of this instinct, and the founder’s daily arithmetic its child?

Or is the public stage a mirror of what we have already normalised on the ground?

Bedrock rarely reveals which layer was laid first; each hardens the other. Once it sets, even change becomes suspect. The clean player pays that tax too. I will not flatten the paradox. The clean win is slower. Sometimes it costs you the contract this quarter.

Spain’s discipline did not guarantee the trophy; one inspired goalkeeper nearly stole it anyway. But the captured win, wherever it truly exists, must be purchased again every season. New referee, new price. It cannot survive an audit or a transition. The captured win is rented. The clean win compounds.

Spain’s advantage was a system any 11 could inherit. A system explains itself. Favour, real or imagined, never does. One more mirror.

Spain won without a Messi. Sometimes the superstar the whole system bends around is us, and the founder as messiah invites the same rumours.

Reinvention means letting the golden generation go, even when the golden generation is you. The exit from this choke is built the way the bedrock was built, one transaction at a time. The children watching that final have already inherited the assumption that winners own the referee.

Sunday complicated their education. Somebody in New Jersey showed them another way to win, and another way to be believed. You cannot always know who captured the referee. You can always know who captured the game.

Nigeria’s electricity export revenue shrinks 17% despite regional demand

Nigeria’s earnings from electricity exports to neighbouring West African countries fell by 17 percent in the first quarter of 2026, despite sustained regional demand for power, highlighting persistent payment challenges and supply constraints facing the country’s electricity sector.

Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that electricity export revenue declined to $4.82 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $5.8 million remitted in the same quarter of 2025, representing a drop of $0.98 million.

The three international bilateral customers supplied by electricity generating companies (GenCos) in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) made the payment against the cumulative invoice of $17.48 million issued by the market operator (MO) for services rendered in the first quarter of 2026, translating to a remittance performance of 27.57 percent.

Nigeria exports electricity to Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE), Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET), and Société Nigérienne d’Électricité (NIGELEC).

‘These remittances are based on reconciled market settlement submitted to the commission as of June 24, 2026,’ the Commission stated.

During the quarter in review, the three international and nine domestic bilateral customers made payments of $6.64 million and N2,589.07 million, respectively, towards outstanding MO invoices from previous quarters.

The commission stated, ‘Specifically, the MO received a total of $4.05 million from Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique (SBEE), comprising payments for Ughelli ($3.28 million) and Paras ($0.77 million).

‘In addition, $1.87 million was received from Mainstream – Société Nigériee d’Electricité (NIGELEC), and $0.72 million from Paras – Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET).’

Togo seeks more electricity from Nigeria as power demand rises

Togo stated plans to increase electricity imports from Nigeria as rising industrial activity and expanding access to electricity drive higher power demand, highlighting Nigeria’s growing role as a regional electricity supplier despite persistent shortages at home.

The request was made during a visit by a delegation from CEET to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), according to a statement issued last month.

The Togolese delegation, led by Débo K’mba Barandao, CEET Director-General, held discussions with NDPHC on expanding an existing bilateral electricity supply arrangement under which Togo currently imports about 75 megawatt-hours of electricity from Nigeria.

Barandao said Nigerian electricity has become critical to maintaining a stable power supply across Togo, supporting households, businesses and public institutions.

‘The imported electricity has played a significant role in sustaining a stable power supply and economic activities across Togo,’ he said.

He noted that electricity demand has risen sharply following the connection of new residential, commercial and industrial consumers, coupled with the government’s efforts to expand electricity access nationwide.

‘In view of this development, CEET is strongly interested in increasing the volume of electricity it off-takes from NDPHC,’ Barandao said, adding that additional imports would support the country’s electrification programme and improve supply reliability.

Responding, Jeifer Adighije, managing director of NDPHC, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to deepening electricity trade within West Africa.

She said NDPHC, through its National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) generation plants, possesses sufficient installed capacity to support increased electricity exports to neighbouring countries under commercially viable arrangements.

According to her, expanding cross-border electricity trade aligns with the broader regional integration objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and ongoing efforts to strengthen the West African electricity market.

However, Adighije stressed that any increase in exports must be backed by robust commercial agreements and guaranteed payment mechanisms.

‘A reliable payment framework will safeguard NDPHC’s interests and enable continued support for regional energy stability through power exports,’ she said.

She added that credible financial guarantees and structured settlement arrangements would reduce the financial risks associated with cross-border electricity transactions and ensure the long-term sustainability of the partnership.

Land bridge plan revised, China-Singapore route accelerated

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered officials concerned to revise the land bridge project of the government while speeding up other transport projects linking Thailand, China, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, according to the government spokesman.

Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Wednesday that Mr Anutin instructed relevant government organisations to revise the land bridge project and speed up road and rail projects ready for implementation to remedy ‘missing links’ and complete transport networks.

‘This will speed up cargo transport, cut logistic costs, increase competitiveness and attract investment without having to wait for a mega project,’ the spokeswoman said.

She was referring to the 1-trillion-baht east-west land bridge megaproject planned to link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea across the southern provinces of Chumphon and Ranong.

Elaborating on the new directive from Prime Minister Anutin, who recently visited China, Ms Rachada said the aim is to fill in ‘missing links’ along the ‘north-south economic corridor’ connecting China to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

According to the government spokesperson, Mr Anutin told his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang while in China that the Thai government is committed to extending railways from Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai to Nateuy station in Laos, which connects with Mohan of China. Nateuy is a key station of the Chinese-Lao high-speed railway.

At the same time, the government will rapidly improve the port of Ranong and link it and Chumphon with rail lines and roads to introduce an alternative for cargo transport between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand.

‘The government will comprehensively consider feasibility, investment and economic returns before working out action plans… The government emphasises investment that is practical, produces quick results and genuinely benefits people and businesses,’ Ms Rachada said.

Oil at 6-week high as war intensifies

Oil prices rose to their highest in almost six weeks on Wednesday, with Brent crude surpassing $95 a barrel, on mounting concerns about disruptions to Middle Eastern supply routes because of escalating hostilities between the US and Iran ?and threats to shipping by ?the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.

Brent crude futures were up $2.23 at $93.24 a barrel on Wednesday afternoon, after hitting a session high of $95.47. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $2.18 to $86.18.

Both benchmarks touched their highest levels since June 11. The Brent three-month timespread, meanwhile, expanded to $10.89 a barrel, its widest since May 22, deepening backwardation on mounting supply risks.

Backwardation is where prompt crude trades at prices above later-dated barrels, typically signalling tighter near-term supply.

The US military said it carried out an 11th consecutive night of attacks on Iran. The attacks came a short while after the Kuwaiti army said its air defences were intercepting Iranian drones.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the US would ‘bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant’ any time Tehran targets a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

As well as the renewed conflict over control of that key waterway, the Iran-aligned Houthis have opened a new front in the war by threatening to target vessels ?carrying Saudi oil in the Bab el-Mandeb strait and announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.

Ships with links to Israel, the United States or Saudi Arabia are at a higher risk of being attacked by Yemen’s ?Iran-aligned Houthi militia and are advised to avoid voyages through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the European Union’s naval force Aspides said on Wednesday.

‘The energy market now has the dual-strait worry, with the Bab el-Mandeb ?Strait looking ?like it could join the Strait of Hormuz as a hot spot, as traders closely watch shipping numbers in the Red Sea,’ said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Bab el-Mandeb ?at the southern entrance to the Red Sea has become an increasingly important route for Saudi Arabian crude exports as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply again since a ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month.

Three oil tankers loaded with Saudi crude for China and ?India made U-turns in the Red Sea on Tuesday, heading towards the Suez Canal rather than braving ?the Yemeni coast. Four other tankers also changed course in the Red Sea on Wednesday.

‘The (Houthi) threat has led tankers to divert which could further pressure the physical market and Saudi exports, contributing to push prices to the upside,’ said Frank Walbaum, a market analyst at the trading platform Naga.com.

In response to the Houthi warnings, refiners are seeking to ship crude ?oil from the Red Sea port of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia through ?the Suez Canal and around Africa.

FCDA and Giddaa: What the FCDA’s PPP Programme Means for Developers and Buyers

Nigeria’s housing deficit runs into the millions, and in Abuja, where prices often top even Lagos, owning a home can feel out of reach. But a quieter story runs alongside it: open doors, public rules, and a government department moving faster than most expect.

We sat down with the FCDA Department of Mass Housing and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to unpack how developers, investors, and everyday Nigerians can plug into Abuja’s housing pipeline.

Who we are

Giddaa is a proptech platform that helps Nigerians at home and in the diaspora discover, finance, and securely buy titled homes. We work with top developers, vetted sellers, and banks to ensure Nigerians can buy homes securely. Understanding how the FCDA works helps our developer partners move faster and helps our buyers find genuinely titled homes.

How the mass housing program works

The program grew out of the federal monetisation policy, which freed the government from housing its own staff and invited private capital in. The division of labour is clean:

The government provides the land and primary infrastructure which includes roads, drainage, sewage, electricity, and water up to the boundary of a site.

The developer provides everything inside the estate, builds the houses, and sells to subscribers.

The rules live in the Mass Housing Guidelines, which are gazetted and public. To participate, a developer needs legal standing (CAC and professional registration), a proven financial track record, and in-house technical expertise. On whether the FCDA prefers local or foreign developers, the answer was simple: ‘the more the merrier.’ The same door is open whether you build from Lagos or invest from abroad.

How titles work

Land is allocated to the developer, but the houses are meant for individuals. So the developer builds, compiles a verified list of buyers, and forwards it to the department, which passes it up for the Minister to issue titles directly in the buyers’ names. Subscribers get a tight window (currently three weeks) to complete payment or forfeit.

For buyers, this is the reassurance that matters: a clear route to a government-issued title. That’s the standard we apply to our listings, the ability to browse titled homes across Abuja and Nigeria on Giddaawith that due diligence built in.

Speed and the ‘one-stop shop’

An evaluation committee assesses each submission, and because mass housing coordinates with sister agencies such as Development Control, Lands and Regional Planning, the department acts as a one-stop shop. To get started, a developer simply writes an expression of interest, receives the requirements, meets them, and is in.

The bigger picture and the bottleneck

Abuja is growing at roughly 5% a year, double the national rate, driving a master-plan review, a structure-plan expansion, and a JICA partnership opening up satellite towns like Bwari.

But the real constraint on delivery is financing. For developers, heavy reliance on imported materials means costs captured at contract signing could balloon by procurement time. For buyers, the same volatility erodes affordability faster than they can save. That’s exactly what Giddaa’s financing and payment-plan tools exist to solve, matching buyers to mortgages, developer payment plans, and options that fit their income.

One surprise: the PPP mandate isn’t limited to housing. The department welcomes proposals across health, transport, rail, and more.

The bottom line

The rules are public, the department is fast, and the title path leads straight to the individual buyer – whether you build this city from Abuja or invest from abroad. At Giddaa, our job is to make that participation real: connecting developers to buyers, buyers to titled and financeable homes, and both sides to a market they can trust.

Drawn from Giddaa’s interview with the FCDA Department of Mass Housing and PPP. Developers should consult the official gazetted Mass Housing Guidelines for full requirements.