BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Shehu Usman Osidi; a guest; and Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Barr. Festus Adebayo at the 2026 Mortgage Finance Roundtable 2.0 and Annual Conference in Abuja.
The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is currently reviewing some of its existing lending conditions for Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and individuals to make its processes more flexible and responsive to market realities without compromising prudent risk management.
This is even as the bank highlighted opportunities for collaboration in mortgage origination, customer outreach, product distribution and servicing, as well as ongoing efforts to examine Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN) proposed blended finance framework.
Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi stated this while speaking at the 2026 Mortgage Finance Roundtable 2.0 and Annual Conference, organised by MBAN in Abuja, with the theme: “Mortgage Finance in Nigeria - Building Resilience, Partnerships and Scale
He reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the PMBs to expand access to affordable housing finance and deepen Nigeria's mortgage market.
Osidi described the growth of the primary mortgage market as essential to achieving the bank's broader housing finance objectives, stating the complementary roles of FMBN and PMBs in expanding access to housing finance.
"FMBN should not be seen as competing with PMBs; rather, we are complementary partners with shared responsibilities in expanding access to housing finance. Stronger partnerships between FMBN and PMBs will be mutually beneficial and will contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable mortgage market," he added.
The MD highlighted FMBN's expanding product offerings, including the Diaspora Mortgage Loan, the recently launched non-interest lease-to-own mortgage product and the forthcoming Rent Assistance Facility (RAF).
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma outlined a six-point reform agenda to strengthen Nigeria's mortgage finance ecosystem.
The proposed reforms include enhanced institutional regulation in the housing sector, expanding NHF contributors to 10 million, recapitalising FMBN to N1 trillion and establishing a Housing Purchaser Protection Tribunal.
Rabe called on mortgage institutions to partner with the Federal Government in implementing the reforms, accessing the NMRC liquidity window, originating diaspora mortgages and expanding services to the millions of NHF contributors awaiting access to mortgage facilities.
President of MBAN, Mr. Ayodele Olowookere acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders to advancing housing finance through sustained engagements with the government, regulators and funding institutions.
He highlighted the association's efforts over the past year, including engagements with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on mortgage sector guidelines, FMBN, NMRC and other development finance partners to explore sustainable funding opportunities.
The MBAN President challenged participants to translate the engagements and institutional commitments into tangible outcomes, adding that the true measure of the conference would be the clarity of its resolutions and collective commitment to implementation.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, represented by the Director, Development and Financial Institutions Department, CBN, Mr. Ali Baba Mairami, reaffirmed the CBN's commitment to maintaining clear regulatory frameworks, strengthening risk-based supervision and supporting innovations and engagements that promote affordable housing.
The event provided a platform for policymakers, regulators and industry operators to exchange perspectives and advance practical solutions toward building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable mortgage finance sector in Nigeria.
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