UNILAG Professor Timothy Nubi urges urban regeneration, improved infrastructure and stronger housing policies.

A Professor of Estate Management and Valuation at the University of Lagos, Timothy Nubi, has urged the Nigerian government to shift its housing policy from constructing buildings to developing sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.

Nubi made the call during the second lecture series of the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre (FEC), Yaba College of Technology, held on Wednesday.

The lecture was themed, “Sustainable Estate Development in Nigeria: Building Resilient Communities Through Clean Water, Clean Energy and Innovation.”

The don said housing delivery should not be measured solely by the number of houses constructed or settlements cleared. Instead, he said, the focus should be on affordability, functionality, inclusion, environmental responsibility and long-term resilience.

According to Nubi, Nigeria’s housing crisis extends beyond inadequate housing units to issues involving affordability, infrastructure, environmental risks, quality and institutional capacity.

“Sustainable estate development should integrate land, buildings, infrastructure, institutions and human communities to create long-term social, economic and environmental value,” he said.

Nubi Advocates Urban Regeneration

Nubi called for urban regeneration and in-situ upgrading to become central components of Nigeria’s housing strategy, particularly in underserved communities that can be improved and made safer.

He advocated development-led urban management, which would combine land-use planning, infrastructure development, environmental management, housing rehabilitation, tenure security, local economic development and community participation.

He said in-situ upgrading should be prioritised where settlements could be made safe and resilient.

Such interventions, he explained, should include improved roads and drainage systems, clean water, sanitation, electricity, waste management, public spaces, social facilities and housing rehabilitation.

Nubi also recommended phased implementation to allow residents to remain in their communities whenever possible.

He warned that temporary relocation, where unavoidable, should include clear information, fair compensation, secure return rights or suitable nearby accommodation, as well as protection for residents’ livelihoods.

Professor Warns Against Forced Displacement

The university lecturer cautioned that urban regeneration could lead to unintended consequences, including land speculation, rising rents, forced displacement and the replacement of low-income residents by wealthier groups.

To address these risks, he recommended tenure regularisation, affordability safeguards, community land arrangements, transparent valuation and inclusive financing.

Nubi also rejected the perception that sustainability only increases real estate development costs. He argued that its benefits should be evaluated through lifecycle costs.

He said responsible infrastructure and environmentally sustainable systems could reduce expenses linked to energy consumption, water supply, infrastructure failure, flood damage, maintenance and environmental degradation.

He added that sustainable estate development could improve reliability, strengthen resilience, reduce operating costs and preserve long-term property value.

Nubi urged government agencies, developers, financial institutions, professional bodies, communities, technology providers and educational institutions to work together.

He said government should provide effective spatial planning, efficient development approvals, infrastructure coordination, environmental regulation, building standards and supportive financial frameworks.

According to him, the private sector should contribute investment, innovation and infrastructure development.

YABATECH Management Highlights Entrepreneurship

Earlier, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, urged students and staff to use entrepreneurship, innovation and practical knowledge to address Nigeria’s environmental and developmental challenges.

Abdul said the lecture series was designed to expand the institution’s entrepreneurial activities and expose members of the college community to practical enterprise opportunities.

He noted that the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre was established through the support of Chief Tunde Fanimokun in honour of his benefactor, Chief Iyanda Olayinka Folawiyo.

The rector said Folawiyo’s entrepreneurial legacy across trading, oil and gas, energy, shipping, agriculture and real estate informed the centre’s activities.

He also described the programme’s focus on clean water, clean energy and sustainable communities as consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7 and 11.

The Chairman of the Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to sustainability, personal development and wealth creation.

He urged students to take advantage of the centre’s opportunities, mentorship and practical knowledge.

Fanimokun identified real estate as a major avenue for wealth creation and advised students to pursue activities aligned with their interests.

The Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, Dr Funmilayo Adeoye, challenged students to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses capable of addressing real-world challenges.

She said the centre would provide opportunities for funding, mentorship, expertise and industry partnerships to help promising ideas develop into viable enterprises.

The programme also featured awards for staff and students who emerged winners in the centre’s business idea pitchathon.

The post Nigeria Needs Sustainable, Inclusive Communities, Not Just Housing Units — Don appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Ogun State Government has approved a fresh round of infrastructure projects covering housing, road rehabilitation, public buildings, and traditional institution reforms as part of efforts to strengthen urban development, improve connectivity, and support economic growth across the state. The approvals were made during a meeting of the State Executive Council chaired by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Among the key projects is the construction of 450 two-bedroom semi-detached housing units with supporting infrastructure to expand access to residential accommodation. The Executive Council also approved the development of 28 official quarters for members of the Ogun State House of Assembly and the construction of 28 duplexes at the Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA) Scheme II. The reconstruction of the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, also received approval.

The council further approved the reconstruction of several strategic roads across the state’s three senatorial districts to improve transportation, facilitate trade, and enhance access to communities. The road projects include the Okun-Owa–Ijebu-Ode Road, the Ago-Iwoye–Ijebu-Igbo–Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic Road, Phase One of the Odeda–Olugbo Road, the Ayobo (Mopol Junction)–Lafenwa Junction Road in Ota, and Agbala Road in Iperu.

In addition to infrastructure development, the Executive Council approved the upgrading and recognition of several traditional stools across the state. The government said the decision is intended to preserve cultural heritage, strengthen traditional institutions, and support community-based governance in line with established procedures.

Speaking on the approvals, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the projects reflect the administration’s commitment to replacing ageing public infrastructure with modern, functional facilities capable of meeting the needs of a growing population. He noted that several government buildings inherited by the administration had become structurally deficient and required complete reconstruction rather than rehabilitation.

The state government said the infrastructure programme forms part of its broader urban regeneration strategy aimed at improving public assets, expanding housing opportunities, strengthening transportation networks, and creating an environment that supports investment and economic development. It added that better road connectivity and modern public facilities will improve service delivery while enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Urban development experts say coordinated investments in housing, transportation, and public infrastructure are essential for managing population growth and sustaining economic expansion. They note that combining residential development with improved road networks can stimulate private investment, reduce travel times, and encourage balanced urban growth across Ogun State.

The post Dapo Abiodun Expands Infrastructure Agenda with Housing and Road Investments appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to construct a ₦7bn jetty and develop housing estates at the Oworonshoki waterfront area as part of its ongoing waterfront regeneration programme.

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists in Lagos on Friday, noting that approvals had already been secured for both projects.

Bush-Alebiosu said the jetty project, currently under discussion with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is designed to improve water transportation across key parts of the state while stimulating economic activities within the Kosofe axis.

According to him, the waterfront location cuts across three local governments within his federal constituency, making the jetty a strategic infrastructure investment.

He also confirmed that the state government had obtained approval to develop housing schemes in Oworonshoki, stressing that the area’s location makes it suitable for large-scale residential development.

“Oworonshoki is specially located, and there is no reason development happening on the island cannot be extended towards this axis,” the commissioner said.

The commissioner addressed concerns over recent demolitions in Oworonshoki, clarifying that the exercise was part of an urban regeneration initiative and not directly linked to his ministry. He, however, sympathised with affected residents and said efforts were being made to provide support where possible.

Bush-Alebiosu added that the state was also considering establishing a modern fish market in the area to maximise its waterfront advantage and reduce the cost of seafood in Lagos.

He further stated that the ministry remained committed to combating illegal dredging and reclamation activities along Lagos waterfronts, describing such practices as a major threat to drainage systems and environmental safety.

According to him, enforcement operations are ongoing to curb activities that contribute to flooding and unregulated land expansion across the state.

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