FG inaugurates 1,500-unit housing estate for immigration personnel in Abuja

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 1,500-unit housing estate developed by the Nigeria Immigration Service Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NIMCOS) to provide affordable homes for personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The housing estate, located at Kutunku Extension in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), comprises three-bedroom and four-bedroom housing units designed to improve the welfare of officers and reduce the housing challenges faced by personnel.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the project underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the living conditions of public servants through strategic partnerships with private developers and cooperative societies.

Represented by the Secretary of Abdulmalik Jibril, Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), the minister said access to decent housing would ease the economic burden on immigration personnel and enhance their productivity.

He noted that the Tinubu administration remains committed to implementing policies that prioritise workers’ welfare and create an enabling environment for efficient public service delivery.

Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, described the project as a major investment in the well-being of officers, saying it was conceived barely a year ago to address the housing needs of personnel.

Represented by Florence Nwaneka, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Visa and Residence Permit, Nandap said the estate, developed in partnership with Abiskoly Real Estate Developers, reflects the service’s determination to improve staff welfare.

She said decent housing remains one of the most important incentives for personnel, providing security, stability and motivation for officers to perform their duties effectively.

“Today’s event is a clear demonstration of the Service’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel.

“Good housing remains one of the most important aspects of staff welfare, as it provides security, promotes stability and enables officers to perform their duties more effectively,” she said.

Nandap commended the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society for initiating the project, describing it as evidence of what can be achieved through purposeful collaboration between cooperative societies and private sector partners.

She, however, urged beneficiaries to maintain the estate properly, stressing that the Service would not tolerate poor maintenance or environmental degradation.

“The beneficiaries must demonstrate professionalism, discipline and a strong maintenance culture. We will not condone a situation where this estate becomes dilapidated or unkempt within a few years,” she warned.

Earlier, Salihu Dauda, President of the Nigeria Immigration Service Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NIMCOS), described the housing development as a transformative welfare initiative for members of the cooperative.

He said home ownership goes beyond providing shelter, noting that it guarantees dignity, security, family stability, economic empowerment and social inclusion.

Dauda observed that affordable housing remains a major challenge for millions of Nigerians, including public servants, making the initiative critical to improving the welfare of immigration officers.

“It is in recognition of this reality that NIMCOS has consistently prioritised housing as one of its flagship welfare programmes,” he said.

He disclosed that the cooperative is already replicating the initiative in Kuje District of the FCT, where another 1,500 housing units comprising three-bedroom and four-bedroom bungalows are being developed for members upon completion.