Housing experts have called for stronger private sector participation in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme to improve access to affordable homeownership in Nigeria.
The call was made by the Chairman of Qshelter Nigeria Limited, Niyi Oyedele, during the 2026 annual lecture and awards of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) in Lagos.
Speaking through the company’s Head of Operations, Adeyinka Adeleye, Oyedele said government could not address Nigeria’s housing deficit alone, stressing the need for stronger partnerships between government, property developers and financial institutions.
He explained that public-private partnerships would help attract the investment, construction expertise, technology and financing required to increase housing delivery across the country.
Oyedele also stressed that housing developers must prioritise the needs of prospective homeowners by providing suitable properties, transparent pricing, secure land titles and affordable payment arrangements.
He disclosed that Qshelter had sold more than 2,000 properties and engaged over 50,000 prospective homeowners within two years. The company’s portfolio includes Renewed Hope City projects in Karsana, Abuja, Janguza, Kano, and 2004 Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos.
He further urged developers to consider the long-term costs of homeownership, including electricity, water supply, repairs and maintenance. He noted that proper management of estate infrastructure, such as roads, drainage systems and shared facilities, was equally important.
The Qshelter chairman, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, advocated increased use of locally manufactured building materials to reduce construction costs, create employment opportunities and shorten project delivery timelines.
He called on the government to accelerate land titling, building approvals, infrastructure development and access to housing finance. He also urged developers to fulfil their commitments to property buyers.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of UPDC Plc, Odunayo Ojo, who chaired the occasion, said most of the houses Nigerians would occupy by 2050 were yet to be built.
He described this as an opportunity for stakeholders to rethink housing design and delivery, emphasising the need for sustainable development, improved infrastructure and technology.
Ojo also stressed that housing development should be properly coordinated with transport infrastructure to ensure new communities remain accessible and economically viable.
Similarly, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Florence Gbaye, called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, property owners, developers and built environment professionals to improve building safety.
She urged developers to use quality construction materials, obtain the necessary planning and building approvals, maintain their properties and comply with established construction standards.
Gbaye explained that agencies such as the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and LASBCA play important roles in ensuring that buildings meet approved planning and construction requirements.
She encouraged professionals, journalists and residents to report buildings that violate construction standards or pose safety risks, noting that effective regulation helps protect lives, properties and investments.
Earlier, the PEWAN Chairman, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, said housing development should go beyond providing shelter, urging developers to incorporate energy and water conservation, waste reduction and climate-responsive designs.
She identified natural ventilation, energy-efficient lighting, solar power and rainwater harvesting as measures that could reduce building operating costs and improve residents’ comfort.
She also emphasised the importance of responsible land use and proper facility management, noting that the value of buildings depends not only on their construction but also on how they are maintained over time.
