By Seyi Odewale
In a world gripped by a deepening housing affordability crisis, Lagos—Nigeria’s bustling economic nerve centre—emerges as a beacon of hope, innovation, and resilience.
From New York to London, Sydney to Abuja, the story is the same: cities expanding faster than they can provide shelter.
But in the heart of West Africa, Lagos State is rewriting the narrative. Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and through the dynamic stewardship of Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, the Commissioner for Housing, the State is executing a bold strategy to ensure that shelter is not a privilege for the few but a fundamental right for all.
*A global crisis with local manifestations
The housing affordability crisis is not unique to Nigeria. Across developed economies, stagnant wages, soaring property prices, and constrained urban land supply make homeownership an increasingly distant dream for many. The United Nations projects that 68% of the global population will live in cities by 2050, driving demand for housing in already stretched urban centres.
In Nigeria, the crisis is amplified. A staggering housing deficit of over 22 million units reflects years of underinvestment, rapid population growth, and security-induced internal migration. As insecurity drives rural dwellers toward urban centres, Lagos—with its comparative stability and economic allure—has become both refuge and promise. Yet, its limited landmass of just 3,577km², one-third of which is water, poses a formidable challenge.
*Lagos: At crossroads of urban growth
Today, Lagos is home to more than 23 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world. With an annual growth rate of 3.34 per cent, the State is witnessing a continuous influx of low-income earners seeking better opportunities. But more people mean more pressure on housing, infrastructure, and services.
“Hardly will you have significant economic development without housing construction,” says Akinderu-Fatai. “Housing is a major pillar of economic development.”
Recognising this, the Lagos State Government has prioritised housing as a core agenda under the THEMES+ policy framework. What sets this administration apart is its multi-pronged, inclusive, and proactive approach to solving the housing puzzle.
*Delivering homes, empowering lives
Since 2019, the Sanwo-Olu administration has delivered 21 housing estates across the five administrative divisions of the State. Most recently, in June 2024, the government commissioned the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate (Cluster 1), comprising 270 two-bedroom units. This milestone brought the total number of home units delivered to an impressive 9,970.
Three thousand nine hundred ninety-four units were constructed directly through government funding, while 5,976 were produced via innovative Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Ongoing projects, including Sangotedo Phase 2, Epe Housing Scheme, Ajara in Badagry, and Ibeshe Phase 2, promise an additional 4,052 units, pushing the projection to over 14,000 homes by early 2026.
This progress is not just about numbers. Each unit delivered represents a family with renewed hope. Each estate inaugurated contributes to local employment, with the housing sector generating thousands of jobs for artisans, engineers, and service providers.
*Affordable mortgage and rent-to-own: A pathway to ownership
Access to housing is one challenge; affordability is another. In Nigeria, mortgage interest rates as high as 20–25 per cent make homeownership an elusive dream for low-income earners.
But Lagos is confronting this head-on through innovative mortgage and rent-to-own policies. The Lagos State Mortgage Board has supported over 20,000 residents with accessible financing options. In 2024 and early 2025 alone, more than 300 mortgagors under the Rent-to-Own scheme completed their payment cycles and were granted full ownership of their homes.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further sweetened the deal by approving a new redemption policy allowing beneficiaries with six years of payment history to secure full ownership under special conditions—a game-changer for civil servants and low-income earners.
*Public-Private Synergy and Strategic Partnerships
The success of Lagos’s housing blueprint is partly rooted in its growing synergy with the private sector. In December 2024, the State Government signed an MoU with Access Bank Plc to deliver 720 two-bedroom apartments in Ikorodu.
What makes this partnership remarkable is the provision of single-digit interest mortgages, repayable over 20 years, with just a 10 per cent down payment. This initiative directly targets low-income households, offering them shelter and dignity.
“Strategic partnerships are crucial,” emphasised Akinderu-Fatai. “We seek financial institutions and developers who share our vision of accessible and inclusive housing.”
*Sustainability, maintenance, and community integration
The Lagos State Government understands that delivering houses is only half the job—maintaining them is equally essential.
The Ministry of Housing’s revamped facility management strategy has installed modern infrastructure such as water treatment plants, roads, car parks, and electrification across estates.
A newly created Facility Management Unit ensures compliance with planning regulations and oversees maintenance standards. This initiative has created more than 900 direct and indirect jobs, further stimulating the local economy.
A comprehensive “Allottees Guide” has also been published to foster responsible tenancy and cohabitation. It provides guidelines for maintenance, community elections, change of ownership, and property documentation.
*Tackling fraud, disputes, and land encroachment
Another frontier in the housing revolution is regulatory reform. The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), led by Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare is streamlining the real estate sector through registration, dispute mediation, and enforcement.
As of 2025, 1,899 cases had been received, over 1,200 successfully resolved, and more than ₦295m had been recovered on behalf of aggrieved clients.
Land encroachment remains a critical issue. In February 2025, the Ministry resolved a long-standing dispute in Shasha, reclaiming over 8,000 square meters of land. Such decisive actions demonstrate the government’s resolve to secure land for affordable housing development.
*Civil servants and essential workers—A home for all
The administration is also addressing the housing needs of critical service providers. A one-time 40% rebate was granted to 770 civil servants. Teachers and healthcare personnel stationed in remote areas have also benefited, with 120 homes allocated to them so far.
This deliberate targeting reflects the government’s inclusive philosophy—no one is left behind.
*Innovating for the future
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Housing is investing in research and development to drive down construction costs.
A dedicated unit explores local materials and alternative building technologies in collaboration with academia and professional bodies. The goal is clear: find cheaper, sustainable ways to house a growing population.
Over 460 electronic survey plans are being processed to streamline documentation and help residents obtain Certificates of Occupancy (COs) more efficiently. These efforts reflect the State’s commitment to transparent, secure land tenure.
*Challenges persist—but the resolve is stronger
Despite laudable progress, challenges remain. Inflation, litigation, land disputes, and limited housing units relative to demand continue to pose hurdles. Some residents default on their obligations; others violate planning regulations.
But with a holistic strategy rooted in partnerships, community engagement, sustainability, and innovation, Lagos is poised to maintain its leadership in housing development, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.
*A model for the nation
The Lagos model offers lessons for Nigeria and other African megacities battling housing crises. It proves that vision, commitment, and inclusive governance can reverse decades of underdevelopment and deliver social goods at scale.
Commissioner Akinderu-Fatai aptly concluded, “We will continue to explore partnerships with institutions keen not only on providing mass homes but also on bringing innovative ideas that promote accessibility.”
In Lagos, the future of housing is not just being imagined—it is being built, one unit at a time. And for thousands of families, that means a roof over their heads, a place to call home, and a stake in the prosperity of Africa’s most dynamic city.
