The Lagos State Government has added close to 10,000 new housing units to its inventory over the past six years in a concerted push to alleviate the city’s housing shortage, according to Housing Commissioner Moruf Akinderu-Fatai.
Speaking during a ministerial briefing marking the halfway point of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Akinderu-Fatai revealed that the administration has delivered a total of 9,970 homes since 2019 through a mix of public funding and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
“Lagos is not immune to the global housing crisis,” the commissioner said. “Rapid urban growth, coupled with inflation and surging construction costs, has hit low- and middle-income households particularly hard.”
The commissioner noted that the city’s rising population—estimated at over 23 million—continues to outpace housing supply, making the government’s interventions more urgent than ever.
Among the key achievements listed were the completion of 21 housing estates spread across the state’s five administrative zones, and ongoing construction on 4,052 more units, expected to bring the total tally to over 14,000 homes by early 2026.
The Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) has also wrapped up 12 separate housing projects, comprising 710 units, and is managing 25 ongoing developments that will yield an additional 2,415 units upon completion.
Efforts to improve accessibility were also highlighted. Through initiatives by the Lagos State Mortgage Board, more than 20,000 residents have benefited from mortgage and Rent-To-Own schemes, with 312 now fully owning their homes. A recent policy adjustment will allow participants who have paid for six years under the Rent-To-Own scheme to acquire full ownership, provided they meet certain criteria.
Regulatory bodies have also made progress. The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) has registered 925 practitioners, settled 1,243 property-related disputes, and recovered more than N295 million and 20 properties on behalf of aggrieved parties.
Job creation was another area of impact. The ministry estimates that approximately 13,749 jobs—both direct and indirect—have been created in the housing sector since 2019. Additionally, over 500 artisans have undergone retraining to improve construction standards, while estate management reforms have generated another 900 employment opportunities.
Other milestones include the digital overhaul of departmental processes to boost service delivery and a rebate initiative through which 770 civil servants—among them teachers and healthcare workers in underserved areas—have received housing allocations.
Looking ahead, the Commissioner announced that more than 1,600 additional units are slated for release as construction wraps up on various projects. He also disclosed plans for a monthly rental payment model aimed at reducing the financial strain of annual rent payments and improving transparency through a public balloting system for housing allocation.
Akinderu-Fatai acknowledged persistent challenges, including land disputes, inflation, and legal bottlenecks. However, he affirmed that strategic partnerships and innovations in building materials are central to overcoming these barriers.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, weighed in on the issue of rising rent costs. She noted that while current guidelines limit agents to a 10% agency fee plus legal charges, ambiguity in the state’s tenancy law is being exploited by some agents to charge excessive fees. “The lack of a clear cap creates a loophole,” she said, calling for legislative updates to curb abuse.
The commissioner concluded by expressing appreciation for Governor Sanwo-Olu’s support and the collaborative efforts of stakeholders across the housing sector.
