By Kingsley Adegboye

Two renowned real estate firms, Messrs QShelter Limited and M.I. Okoro & Associates, have sealed a deal with the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to market the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Estates located in Abuja, Kano and Lagos with plans to spread the scheme across other states of the federation.

Formalising the marketing arrangement with the signing of the MoU at a joint press briefing held at the Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos recently, Principal partner and Chairman,

M. I. Okoro & Associates, Chief Mechson Innocent Okoro, said the collaboration is designed to strengthen the marketing and delivery of housing units under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing initiative.

Chief Okoro described housing as a critical driver of national development and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising homeownership through the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, which he said is tailored to meet the needs of middle-income Nigerians.

He explained that the programme is backed by affordable financing options, including the National Housing Fund mortgage at six per cent interest, Rent-to-Own schemes at seven per cent, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), which offers mortgage facility of up to ₦100 million at single-digit interest rates.

According to him, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit while generating employment opportunities for artisans and professionals in the construction and real estate sectors.

Explaining the role of QShelter Limited in the project, Chief Okoro who described the firm as a leading digital real estate and housing finance platform that partners with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, primary mortgage banks, pension fund administrators and commercial banks to simplify access to homeownership, said QShelter Limited is an emerging leader in digital real estate and housing finance in Africa, leveraging technology to connect developers, buyers and mortgage providers on a single platform.

He noted that through partnerships with institutions such as FMBN and several primary mortgage banks, QShelter facilitates access to affordable housing through NHF, rent-to-own and other sustainable financing options.

Commending the Federal Government for aligning housing delivery with long-term, low-interest mortgage financing, he described it as a major milestone in the country’s housing development,

urging the government however, to strengthen regulation of mortgage disbursement banks, ensure clear land titles for housing sites, invest directly in infrastructure, discourage speculative purchases, and adopt renewable energy solutions such as solar power in government housing estates.

In his remarks, Chairman of Qshelter Limited, Pastor Kola Sowande, described M.I. Okoro & Associates as a “vintage and celebrated” real estate consultancy firm with over 30 years of industry experience.

Sowande noted M.I, Okoro’s extensive professional exposure and contribution to public education on real estate through the long-running NTA programme, Real Estate AM Express, pointing out that

the Board and Management of QShelter are proud to present Dr. Chief M.I. Okoro as our estate agency and marketing partner.

The new partners disclosed plans to extend marketing efforts to Nigerians in the diaspora through international exhibitions and strategic engagements which include participation in a building exhibition in Liverpool during the Nigerian–UK Golfing Association tournament, collaboration with Access Bank Plc around its London polo event in 2026, and representation at the OTC World Oil Institutions Conference in Houston, United States.

The initiative according to the partners, is aimed at ensuring that Nigerians at home and abroad benefit from the Renewed Hope Housing programme, regardless of location

He noted that the partnership is in alignment with the Federal Government’s housing agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the Renewed Hope Housing Policy as a long-overdue intervention in Nigeria’s chronic housing deficit.

Qshelter boss who said housing is one of the basic needs of man, alongside food and clothing, added that yet, for decades, Nigeria paid insufficient attention to housing delivery. “The Renewed Hope Housing Policy is a decision in the right direction, particularly as it targets the middle class and is supported by innovative funding mechanisms.” Sowande stated.

The joint press conference brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s housing and finance ecosystem, including the Chairman of QShelter Limited, Mr. Kola Sowande; President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Mr. Victor Alonge; Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, Mazi Innocent C. Ike; the Chief Operating Officer of QShelter, Mr. Adegbenga Alamu; and the Principal/CEO of M.I. Okoro & Associates, Dr. Chief Innocent Mechson Okoro.

Others were directors and board members of QShelter, the Chief Commercial Officer of the company, Mr. Oludare Makinde, senior management and staff of Qshelter Limited and M.I. Okoro & Associates.