The Federal Government has approved a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme designed to significantly improve access to home ownership for civil servants across the nation. The announcement was made by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, on Friday in Abuja.
This initiative will be jointly implemented by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board. The scheme is intended to foster greater stability and enhance the productivity of civil servants by enabling them to secure their own homes.
“The Federal Government has approved a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme to improve access to home ownership for civil servants,” Walson-Jack stated during a press briefing. She elaborated that the loan facilitation would be managed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.
Walson-Jack emphasized the profound impact that home ownership has on worker morale and overall efficiency. She noted that having a secure place to call home can lead to increased focus and a stronger sense of purpose among civil servants.
“There is a saying that a person who owns their own home stands differently. When a civil servant knows that their family has a place they can call their own, they come to work with a different swagger — with more stability, more focus and more purpose,” she added.
The Head of Service described the housing scheme as an integral part of a broader reform agenda, reflecting the administration's core governing philosophy. She stressed that the initiative extends beyond mere welfare provisions.
“What you are witnessing is not simply a welfare package; it is a philosophy. It is the operating belief of this administration that a well-supported civil servant is a more effective civil servant, and a more effective civil service delivers a stronger Nigeria,” Walson-Jack explained.
Furthermore, Walson-Jack highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the public service, including a transition towards a more digital and efficient operational system. She affirmed her commitment to improving both the capacity and welfare of civil servants nationwide.
“As Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, I am committed to ensuring that every civil servant earns better and grows better — with the skills, tools and institutional support to reach their full potential,” she stated.
The successful implementation of these reforms, she noted, relies heavily on inter-agency collaboration. Key government institutions involved include the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“This is the power of collaboration across government — not working in silos, but institutions working in concert, each contributing its statutory mandate towards a shared national purpose,” Walson-Jack said, urging all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to sustain this collaborative momentum.
Looking ahead to Workers’ Day on May 1, Walson-Jack indicated that this year's commemoration would hold particular significance for Nigerian civil servants, recognizing their contributions and sacrifices.
