The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive housing, assuring that accessibility standards for persons with disabilities are being incorporated into housing projects across the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Abdul-Afeez Toriola, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by officials of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to the ministry.

Toriola said the ministry had made deliberate provisions for persons with disabilities in its housing estates and had continued to integrate accessibility features into its projects, in line with established guidelines.

According to him, the ministry remains open to strengthening inclusive measures where gaps are identified, as part of broader efforts to ensure equitable access to housing for all residents of the state.

“We have noted all the concerns raised and remain committed to following established accessibility standards and guidelines to ensure more inclusive housing developments across Lagos State,” Toriola said.

A statement issued after the meeting explained that the visit formed part of LASODA’s ongoing advocacy initiative titled “Advocacy on Accessibility Compliance by Public Facilities in Lagos State,” aimed at promoting inclusive infrastructure and ensuring that public buildings comply with accessibility regulations.

Speaking during the engagement at the ministry’s conference hall, the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, stressed the importance of embedding accessibility considerations in the planning, design, and execution of housing and public infrastructure projects.

She emphasised that accessibility is a fundamental right rather than a discretionary provision, noting that inclusive design enhances dignity, independence, and full participation of persons with disabilities in society.

Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted key accessibility features such as designated car parks, ramps, elevators, clear signage, and accessible walkways, urging authorities to deliberately incorporate them into both new developments and existing public structures.

“From the standpoint of accessibility, inclusion is not adequately practised,” she said. “We urge policymakers to be specific and detailed when it comes to inclusion discourse and implementation.”

She added that compliance with accessibility standards would not only improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities but also align Lagos with global best practices in urban development.

The engagement underscores the state government’s broader push to mainstream inclusion and disability rights into public policy, infrastructure planning, and service delivery as Lagos continues to expand its housing stock.

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The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the state’s housing deficit through innovation, strategic planning, and strong public-private partnerships, resulting in the delivery of more than 11,000 housing units in nearly seven years.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafis Toriola, disclosed this while hosting postgraduate students from the Centre for Planning Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, who were on an academic visit to the ministry.

Toriola said the housing achievements recorded under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu demonstrate that the housing deficit in Lagos can be effectively reduced with the right mix of policy direction, private sector collaboration, and innovative delivery models.

Represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Akanji Shadare, the permanent secretary commended the students and their lecturers for seeking practical exposure to housing administration and policy implementation.

He stressed the importance of continuous collaboration between academic institutions and government agencies, urging universities to regularly share research findings, data, and innovative ideas that could support housing delivery in the state.

The academic visit, according to the ministry, was designed to expose the students to real-world housing governance, service delivery frameworks, and policy execution, while bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Speaking on housing finance, the General Manager of the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC), represented by the Head of Mortgage and Credit Department, Olabisi Funsho-Peters, highlighted the role of mortgage institutions in the real estate value chain.

She explained that LBIC, an accredited mortgage bank insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), provides housing-specific mortgage loans of up to 70 per cent financing, with repayment tenures extending beyond 10 years.

Also addressing the students, the Executive Director of Enterprise Services at the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Adeniyi Aromolaran, outlined the agency’s mandate in real estate development, including construction, sales, and property rental.

He clarified, however, that LSDPC does not engage in social housing, noting that its operations are driven by commercial and investment considerations.

Earlier, the Programme Coordinator of the Centre for Planning Studies, LASU, Professor Aliyu Ibrahim, said the visit was aimed at giving students firsthand insight into how housing policies, data, and investment decisions are developed and managed in Lagos State.

He identified key learning outcomes from the engagement, including understanding how housing provision is coordinated between public and private sectors, how housing investments are structured, the challenges affecting housing delivery, and how housing distribution has evolved over time in Lagos.

In his remarks, the Director of the Centre, Professor Fatai, said the visit was organised to strengthen the link between academic training and professional practice, noting that much of the housing data used in universities is sourced from the Lagos State Ministry of Housing.

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Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, the permanent secretary, urged committee members to uphold professionalism and transparency while executing their responsibilities effectively.

He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to introducing innovative strategies that improve housing sustainability and streamline service delivery for 2025.

Procurement Planning to Ensure Seamless Budget Implementation

Toriola highlighted the significance of procurement planning in ensuring smooth budget execution and aligning projects with the ministry’s strategic goals.

He stated that the 2025 procurement plan includes new initiatives to enhance sustainability in government-owned housing estates.

The committee, chaired by the permanent secretary, consists of heads of departments and units responsible for overseeing procurement operations.

Public Procurement Agency Commends Lagos Ministry’s Initiative

The Director General of the Lagos Public Procurement Agency, Fatai Onafowote, was represented by procurement head Mr. Akintunde Subair.

He outlined the committee’s duties, including conducting needs assessments, identifying necessary services, and analyzing procurement cost implications.

He praised the ministry for aligning its procurement processes with the Lagos State Public Procurement Law, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Procurement Plan to Undergo Continuous Review for Compliance

Subair emphasized that procurement plans are flexible documents subject to periodic review to maintain regulatory compliance and efficiency.

Committee Secretary Mrs. Adejoke Ojo, also Director of Procurement, commended the permanent secretary and department heads for their continued support.

She assured that the committee would operate transparently, ensuring efficiency in procurement planning and public project execution across the state of Lagos

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