Fountain Havens Limited, a Lagos-based real estate firm, has raised concerns over the shortage of skilled artisans in Nigeria’s housing sector, describing it as a major obstacle to timely and high-quality project delivery.
Speaking at the handover of eight newly completed affordable luxury apartments in Lagos, the company’s Head of Sales and Business Development, Ruona Oghuvbu, said the project was completed within 17 months despite inflationary pressures and economic challenges.
Oghuvbu noted that the lack of qualified artisans has forced many developers to hire workers from neighboring countries like Benin Republic. He, however, welcomed the government’s recent policy on free access to technical education as a step toward addressing the skills gap.
He commended improvements in building approval timelines but criticized the high costs involved, urging the government to provide single-digit loans and simplify land title registration.
The new development features four units of four-bedroom semi-detached and four units of five-bedroom fully detached apartments, each with two boys’ quarters, a swimming pool, gym, ample parking, and top-tier security.
Oghuvbu reaffirmed Fountain Havens’ commitment to timely, cost-efficient, and high-quality project delivery, while calling for greater government support and promotion of local materials in construction.
