Ogun promotes flexible housing finance
The Ogun State Government is expanding its affordable housing programme as it seeks to help more residents become homeowners.
The government is using flexible financing, new housing projects and community regeneration to address some of the barriers to home ownership.
State Commissioner for Housing, Jamiu Omoniyi, disclosed this during an X community conversation on affordable housing, financing and opportunities in Ogun State. More than 2,500 people took part in the discussion.
Omoniyi said many prospective homeowners struggle with the high cost of construction. He also noted that many residents cannot afford to pay the full cost of a house at once.
Rent-to-Own scheme targets more residents
The commissioner highlighted the proposed Prince Court Estate at Kobape Phase IV as one of the projects offering a flexible route to home ownership.
He urged prospective buyers to consider the Rent-to-Own scheme for the estate. Gateway Mortgage Bank is partnering with the state government on the scheme.
The arrangement could help residents who cannot afford an outright property purchase. It allows the government to link housing delivery with a financing option for eligible beneficiaries.
Omoniyi said the state’s housing policy goes beyond building houses. He said the government also wants to create conditions that allow genuine beneficiaries to access and maintain their homes.
More housing projects across Ogun
The government has developed housing schemes in several parts of the state. These include Kobape Phases I–III, Kemta, Itanrin, Ikenne and Iperu.
According to Omoniyi, the projects target different groups of middle-income earners. The government has also expanded its intervention to existing communities through regeneration projects.
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These projects include areas such as Ibara GRA in Abeokuta and GRA Ijebu-Ode. The regeneration work aims to improve existing neighbourhoods while supporting economic activity in the built environment.
Housing projects create artisan jobs
Omoniyi also pointed to the impact of the ministry’s direct-labour approach.
He said more than 5,000 artisans had gained income opportunities through various housing project sites.
The approach allows local artisans to take part in housing construction. It also helps the ministry monitor projects more closely and reduce some construction costs.
The commissioner said the model also increases opportunities for local content providers within Ogun’s built environment.
Government subsidises land and infrastructure
Omoniyi described housing as a social service of government. He said the state subsidises land costs and provides major infrastructure within its estates.
These measures aim to reduce the financial burden on beneficiaries. Land, infrastructure and construction costs can significantly affect the final price of a home.
The government is also working to improve security of tenure for people who have subscribed to its housing schemes.
Omoniyi said the ministry was clearing a backlog of title documents. The process includes documentation for beneficiaries of estates delivered before 2019.
Ogun moves to protect genuine beneficiaries
The commissioner urged prospective homeowners to patronise the state’s housing schemes.
He said the ministry would continue to monitor developments after allocating houses and plots. It will also work to protect genuine beneficiaries and reduce speculation within government housing schemes.
The government said its wider objective is to turn affordable housing projects into secure and sustainable home ownership. It also wants housing construction to support economic activity across Ogun State.
Ogun’s approach shows why affordable housing requires more than the construction of new homes. Financing, land costs, infrastructure and secure property documentation all affect access to home ownership.
By combining housing development with flexible financing, community regeneration and title documentation, the state is seeking to address several parts of the housing challenge at the same time. The success of these efforts will depend on how effectively residents can access the schemes and sustain ownership over time.
