By Gift ChapiOdekina,Abuja

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance, Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, has been named Housing Finance Personality of the Year 2025 at the Africa Housing Awards, in recognition of his contributions to housing finance and public asset management in Nigeria.

Under Takang’s leadership, MOFI has been transformed into a leading government-owned private equity and venture capital institution, managing assets valued at over $40 billion. The repositioning has strengthened MOFI’s role within Nigeria’s public asset management and investment framework, particularly in mobilising capital for infrastructure and housing development.

A former Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Takang played key roles in the implementation of major national reforms, including Project Lighthouse, the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPIS), and the Verification of Assets and Declaration System (VADES). He was also involved in several ICT-driven public finance initiatives aimed at improving revenue management and governance.

Takang’s professional career spans Africa, Europe and the United States, with previous experience at KPMG New York and Chase Manhattan Bank. He currently serves on several strategic national boards, including CreditCorp, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), the Presidential CNG Initiative, and a number of power distribution companies.

An alumnus of the University of Hull, Imperial College Business School and Harvard Business School, Takang holds BSc and PhD degrees in Computer Science. Most recently, he led a landmark ₦1 trillion blended finance transaction designed to expand access to affordable mortgages for Nigerians.

In addition to the Housing Finance Personality of the Year 2025 award, Takang has also received other accolades, including African Finance Industry Personality of the Year 2025, African CEO of the Year 2025, and recognition among the 100 Most Reputable Africans in 2024.