The Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria (Chartered) (IMBLN) has held its maiden Practitioners Seminar in Jos, Plateau State, setting the stage for new standards and reforms in Nigeria’s real estate and mortgage industry.
The seminar, hosted at Plateau Club 1921, was organized in partnership with Oakland Business School, Jos—IMBLN’s professional training centre—and the International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship & Leadership (IIPCEL). With the theme “Challenges and Prospects in the Real Estate and Mortgage Industry in Nigeria – A Case Study of Plateau State,” the forum brought together industry experts, licensed practitioners, and policymakers.
Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the IMBLN Registrar-General, Dr. Jasper Adeleye, Mr. Godwin E. Urhie, Executive Chairman/CEO of Oakland Business School, described the seminar as a milestone in professionalizing the industry.
“The housing deficit in Nigeria, estimated at 28 million units and still growing, cannot be solved without innovative approaches. IMBLN is ready to work with government agencies to ensure transparency, eliminate quackery, and promote professionalism in the industry,” Urhie said.
He further noted that the institute’s licensing and training framework will help curb fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing, while creating a credible environment for housing finance.
Key Presentations
Sunday Bulus Ndaka, in a paper titled “Land and Property Registration as a Catalyst for Mortgage Financing in Jos-Bukuru Metropolis,” identified difficulties in accessing land documentation and the burden of high equity contributions as barriers to affordable housing.
“Many Nigerians hold Certificates of Occupancy but still cannot access mortgage facilities due to stringent requirements such as high equity contributions. This continues to worsen the housing deficit and push rents higher,” Ndaka explained.
Ishaya Adams Dung, in his presentation on “Mortgage Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Plateau State,” explained that mortgage opportunities are not exclusive to civil servants but available to all qualified Nigerians. He, however, highlighted low awareness, bureaucratic delays, and slow legal processes as key factors discouraging potential homeowners.
Stakeholder Participation
The seminar was attended by representatives of the Plateau State Government, including a delegate for Arc. Sylvanus Dongtoe, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, and Saje Joseph Adeh, who represented the Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Kachollom Pyam Gang.
The event concluded with the presentation of training certificates to licensed practitioners. IMBLN also announced that the second batch of practitioners will begin lectures in September 2025, to be followed by a formal induction ceremony and the award of practice licences and seals.
Moving Forward
IMBLN reaffirmed its commitment to raising a new generation of ethical mortgage professionals and supporting Nigeria’s quest for affordable housing. The institute emphasized that its core values—professionalism, integrity, customer focus, transparency, and accountability—will remain central to its operations as it expands across the country.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed anger over the recent attack on party supporters in Enugu State.
In a video shared on X, Obi said that whenever anarchy occurs, it consumes everybody, warning those responsible to desist from such acts.
He also recounted how his scheduled engagements in different states were cancelled after those who invited him reportedly received threats.
This comes barely one month after the NDC alleged that “state-sponsored thugs” attacked its members during a grassroots meeting in Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
Reacting, Obi said, “The unfortunate incident that happened today in Enugu State, where NDC supporters were attacked by political thugs, has reportedly claimed one life.
“Those in government should know that when anarchy comes, it consumes everybody.”
Chief Amos Mbah, the newly installed Adiye-Ruma Kadung, has pledged to promote peace, unity and development among his people in Plateau.
Mbah made the pledge on Saturday in Pankshin during his coronation as the traditional ruler of the Kadung people in Pankshin and Kanke Local Government Areas (LGAs).
He described the coronation as a solemn covenant with his people, promising to serve them and protect their interests and aspirations.
“My coronation serves as a covenant of peace, unity and prosperity for the Kadung community,” he said.
The traditional ruler said his vision was anchored on unity, resilience and progress, stressing that sustainable development required collective commitment rather than reliance on traditional authority alone.
“As true power lies not in the title I bear, but in the collective strength of our hard work,” Mbah said.
He urged the people to become active partners in building a community whose achievements would benefit present and future generations.
Mbah also pledged to complement the efforts of the current administration in promoting peaceful coexistence among different tribes and ethnic groups within his domain.
Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Yizo, Chairman of the Kadung Development Association (KDA), Pankshin/Kanke branch, described the coronation as a landmark development for the community.
Yizo said the installation was the first of its kind in the two local government areas, in spite of the association’s longstanding existence.
“This association has been in existence for a very long time, but it is the first time we are installing the Adiye-Ruma Kadung for the Pankshin and Kanke LGAs,” he said.
He explained that the traditional ruler would serve as custodian of the Kadung people’s culture, customs, traditions, norms and values across the two local government areas.
Also speaking, Chairman of the council, Mr Felix Gonung, described the occasion as historic, timely and symbolic.
Gonung, represented by his deputy, Mr John Dasar, commended the Kadung people for uniting to install a leader to guide their community toward progress.
He urged the people to support the new traditional ruler, stressing that traditional leadership required cooperation and collective responsibility.
“To all Kadung sons and daughters, leadership cannot thrive in isolation. I charge you to give His Royal Highness your unalloyed loyalty, maximum cooperation, and constructive support to succeed,” Gonung said.
He also urged community members to remain peaceful, hardworking and law-abiding, describing these qualities as essential to the Kadung community’s reputation.
Gonung charged Mbah to justify the confidence reposed in him by leading with wisdom, humility and fairness.
The coronation marks a significant step in the formal traditional leadership of the Kadung people across Pankshin and Kanke LGAs. (NAN)