The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has commended the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for taking giant steps towards establishing a Building Materials Hub in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos.
The initiative, which aligns with one of the key agenda items discussed at this year’s AIHS, is expected to transform the housing sector by lowering construction costs and boosting affordable housing delivery across the country.
Coordinator of AIHS, Festus Adebayo, praised the ministry under the leadership of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa for championing such a visionary project. According to him, “This is a brilliant idea that will encourage local production of building materials, reduce dependence on imports, and make housing more affordable for Nigerians. It is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to implementing the solutions stakeholders pushed for at AIHS.”
Recall that during a recent official tour to Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangiwa disclosed that the ministry plans to establish six Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across the six geo-political zones of the country. He revealed that an investor has already been secured for the Lekki project, which will significantly cut Nigeria’s housing deficit by facilitating large-scale local production of building materials.
“The hub will promote local content, curb rising costs, encourage domestic production, and ensure sustainable housing delivery nationwide,” the Minister stated.
The Minister further explained that the presence of intermodal transport infrastructure in Lekki, including a seaport, airport, rail, and road networks, makes the zone a perfect choice for the hub. These facilities, he noted, not only guarantee the hub’s effectiveness but also attract real estate investments, as the rising demand for housing will naturally support the massive industrial and commercial developments taking shape in the area.
Similarly, Adeniyi Akinlusi, MD/CEO of Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd, emphasized that the free zone was designed to stimulate economic growth, reduce import dependency, attract investment, create jobs, and boost housing opportunities.
AIHS commended Lekki Worldwide Investments for providing a strategic site for the Federal Government’s Building Materials Manufacturing Hub within the zone.
Adebayo also noted that the minister’s proactive move marks a major step forward in implementing recommendations raised by housing stakeholders, reinforcing confidence that Nigeria is on the right track to making housing accessible and affordable for all.
Every year, the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) serves as a global powerhouse of innovation, generating groundbreaking ideas and actionable recommendations that shape the housing and construction landscape in Nigeria and across Africa. The conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders to deliberate on pressing issues, and its outcomes often influence government policies, guide private sector strategies, and open new frontiers for affordable housing delivery.
By: Prince Folorunsho Adegoke
News Editor at Housing TV Africa.
