By BENJAMIN OMOIKE

LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to stem the tide of housing deficit in 2025.

The state announced that it had successfully delivered 9,970 housing units across various parts of the state in the past six years.

This achievement is part of its ongoing commitment to reduce the housing deficit and make home ownership more accessible to residents, particularly those in the low- and middle-income brackets.

This disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing, held in Alausa, Ikeja.

The event, which formed part of activities marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, highlighted key milestones in the state’s housing sector.

According to the commissioner, the state has employed a multifaceted approach to housing delivery. These include direct budgetary allocations, joint ventures with private developers, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) aimed at accelerating the construction and distribution of housing units across the state.

“In the last six years, we’ve commissioned and handed over 18 housing estates in strategic locations including Sangotedo, Igbogbo, Epe, Odo-Onosa Ayandelu, Badagry, and Igando,” Akinderu-Fatai said.

“Our goal has been to ensure that no zone is left behind in our housing development strategy.”

He added that an additional 4,052 housing units are currently at various stages of construction, while 2,224 units are in the planning and design phase.

These upcoming projects are expected to be completed between late 2025 and early 2026, helping the state inch closer to its target of delivering 14,000 homes by the end of next year.

Among the projects highlighted were the LagosHOMS schemes in Egan-Igando, Sangotedo Phase II, Ajara in Badagry, Epe, and Ibeshe. These developments are designed not just to provide shelter but also to enhance the quality of life through modern infrastructure and basic amenities.

A major success story cited by the commissioner was the Rent-To-Own housing scheme, operated under the Lagos State Mortgage Board. The initiative allows residents to pay for their homes in affordable monthly installments over several years, reducing the burden of upfront costs.

“So far, over 20,000 Lagosians have benefitted from the Rent-To-Own initiative,” he said.

“Of this number, 212 beneficiaries have fully completed their mortgage obligations and are now proud homeowners.”

Akinderu-Fatai stressed that housing is a critical pillar of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda — which stands for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.

He noted that the administration remains focused on building inclusive and sustainable communities.

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that housing developments comply with regulatory standards.

“We are not only focused on the quantity of houses delivered but also on the quality and livability of our estates,” he said.

In addressing challenges, the commissioner acknowledged the rising cost of construction materials and land acquisition as significant hurdles.

However, he assured that the state is working to cushion these effects through local sourcing and creative financing mechanisms.