‎The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have moved to deepen collaboration on expanding access to affordable housing, staff welfare and access to National Housing Fund (NHF) benefits.

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‎The development followed a courtesy visit by the management of the NHIA, led by its Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, to FMBN management in Abuja on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during which both institutions discussed outstanding housing allocations, future housing projects and NHF refunds for retired staff.

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‎The NHIA Director-General, expressed appreciation to FMBN for its contribution to staff welfare and homeownership, noting that several NHIA staff had benefited from the Bank's housing interventions.

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‎Dr. Ohiri also expressed the NHIA's readiness to strengthen its collaboration with FMBN, particularly in advancing housing opportunities for its workforce and ensuring that eligible staff derive the benefits of their participation in the NHF Scheme.

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‎He specifically appealed to FMBN to resolve the outstanding housing allocation issues affecting 36 NHIA staff who had been allocated units at the Brains and Hammers’ Bungalow City Estate in Juneau, Abuja, but were yet to take possession of their homes.

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‎Responding to the appeal, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi, assured the delegation that the Bank would work to resolve the outstanding housing allocation issues involving NHIA staff.

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‎“FMBN will never abandon anybody that believes in our process,” Osidi said, stressing that contributors who meet the requirements and follow the prescribed process should be able to access the benefits of the NHF Scheme.

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‎Osidi explained that FMBN had worked with relevant stakeholders to resolve challenges arising from the reallocation of part of the estate for public purposes.

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‎“I can assure you that all of the 36 people will actually get houses,” he said, adding that beneficiaries who could not be accommodated at the original site would be considered for alternative housing at the Nasarawa Technology Village.

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‎Osidi also highlighted FMBN’s growing role in supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, noting that the Bank had provided a ₦100 billion guarantee to a consortium of developers implementing housing projects across the country, in addition to direct funding of ₦19.9 billion for a section of the Karsana project.

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‎He said FMBN was prepared to provide mortgage financing for NHIA staff who secure allocations under eligible housing projects, including the Renewed Hope City in Karsana.

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‎Recounting the broader impact of FMBN’s interventions to Nigerian workers, the NHIA Director-General, shared the experience of a senior NHIA Director, Mr. Nden Nuhu Nanshal, who, about 23 years ago, as a young professional, accessed FMBN mortgage without knowing anyone or having any special connection. By following the established process, Mr. Nanshal was able to secure a home, which Dr. Ohiri described as instrumental in helping him stabilise and establish his family.

‎The testimony, he said, underscored the enduring impact of FMBN’s mandate in transforming the aspirations of workers into tangible homeownership opportunities.

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‎The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to sustained collaboration and to ensuring that workers who contribute to the NHF Scheme are able to derive tangible benefits from their contributions.

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