A major step toward lowering the cost of housing construction in Nigeria is underway, as plans have been finalized to establish a dedicated building materials hub within the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

The initiative, covering 200 hectares of land, is expected to drive down production costs, boost local content, and strengthen domestic manufacturing of essential building inputs.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed the plan on Thursday during an inspection tour of industrial clusters in the Lekki and Lagos Free Zones, which form part of the wider ecosystem connected to the Lekki Deep Sea Port. His tour included visits to housing projects, industrial sites, materials testing laboratories, Alaro City, Lagos Coastal City, and the seaport.

According to Dangiwa, the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and will be replicated across the six geopolitical zones, with Lagos serving as the pioneer location.

“The building materials hub will promote local content, curb rising costs of materials, encourage domestic production, and ensure sustainable housing delivery nationwide,” he said.

The minister revealed that an investor has already been secured for the project, which is expected to generate jobs, reduce dependence on imported materials, and help close Nigeria’s housing deficit. He also emphasized that intermodal infrastructure linking the seaport, airport, rail, and road networks would enhance the hub’s efficiency.

During his visit to Alaro City, Dangiwa commended the developers for adopting sustainable building practices that complement the federal government’s drive to expand affordable housing through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd, Adeniyi Akinlusi, welcomed the project and highlighted the 16,500-hectare Lekki Free Trade Zone as a catalyst for investment, job creation, and real estate development. “The whole zone is Nigeria’s best-kept investment secret,” he noted.

Industry leaders also showcased power plants, factories, and other projects within the zone, reinforcing the area’s role as a growing hub of industrial and real estate activities.

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Calls are growing for the Federal Government to make the Lagos Airport perimeter fencing project a showcase of its “Nigeria First” policy by sourcing materials from capable local manufacturers in line with executive orders on local content.

MAN’s Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stressed that the association is not attempting to influence the contract award but is appealing for procurement decisions that place national interest above foreign patronage. He explained that prioritising local firms would help create jobs, ease pressure on foreign exchange, boost tax revenues, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.

Ajayi-Kadir maintained that Nigerian companies have the expertise and facilities to produce Clear Vu fencing materials of international quality, insisting that indigenous manufacturers should not be sidelined in favour of foreign suppliers.

“The Nigeria First Policy, reaffirmed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has renewed confidence among domestic manufacturers. It builds on Executive Orders, which mandate government ministries and agencies to give preference to locally produced goods and services,” he noted.

While commending ongoing government efforts to upgrade infrastructure, the MAN chief warned that resorting to imports for the Lagos Airport project would undermine stated policies and deny the economy vital benefits such as youth employment, foreign exchange savings, and stronger national security through self-reliance.

He pointed out that in previous projects, Nigerian producers were overlooked despite MAN’s advocacy, with imported fencing materials supplied instead a development he described as discouraging to the nation’s industrial sector.

“This project presents a chance to correct past missteps and to prove that the Nigeria First Policy is more than a slogan. It should be demonstrated through consistent implementation,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

Reaffirming the association’s readiness to work with government in driving inclusive growth, he concluded by urging that the Lagos Airport fencing materials be sourced strictly from capable Nigerian manufacturers.

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Festus Adebayo, Coordinator of AIHS, in a statement released in Abuja, emphasized the critical role of local content in achieving sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

He stated that the President’s policy, which prioritizes Nigerian goods and services in government procurement, resonates strongly with the AIHS’s core mission.

“The AIHS has consistently championed the use of local building materials and expertise as a key strategy to reduce the exorbitant costs associated with housing development,” Adebayo said. “President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Nigeria-First Procurement Policy is a significant step in the right direction, reinforcing our belief that prioritizing local content is essential for economic empowerment and the creation of affordable housing.”

The policy, which mandates Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize local products and services in their procurement processes, is seen by AIHS as a crucial driver for stimulating local industries, fostering skills development, and reducing reliance on costly imports.

Adebayo highlighted that the use of indigenous materials not only lowers construction costs but also promotes environmental sustainability and creates employment opportunities within local communities.

“By embracing local building materials such as compressed earth blocks, locally sourced timber, cement, steel, other construction supplies and sustainable alternatives, we can significantly reduce the financial burden on prospective homeowners,” Adebayo explained. “This policy provides an opportunity for developers to explore and utilize these materials, ultimately making homeownership a reality for a larger segment of the population.”

AIHS also called for the swift implementation of the policy, urging the government to ensure its effective enforcement and provide the necessary support to local manufacturers and suppliers. The organization pledged its commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to promote the use of local content in the housing sector.

“We are ready to work closely with the government to provide technical expertise, facilitate knowledge sharing, and advocate for policies that promote the adoption of local building materials and technologies,” Adebayo stated. “By working together, we can create a more sustainable and affordable housing market that benefits all Nigerians.”

The AIHS believes that the President’s policy, coupled with a concerted effort to promote local content in the housing sector, will contribute significantly to addressing the nation’s housing deficit and fostering economic growth.

The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) is the largest housing and construction event in Africa. It serves as a platform for stakeholders across the housing value chain to network, share knowledge, explore opportunities, and drive solutions to Africa’s housing challenges.

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