By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that his administration in less than five years, provided over 3,000 homes for the residents, assuring that efforts are still in progress to reduce the 17 million housing deficits in the state.
The governor made this known at the Conference of Directors of Lands in the Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies, themed “Improving Land-Based Revenue of the Federating Units in Nigeria through Efficient and Effective Land Administration”, held in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, said that the housing projects were delivered through Direct Budgetary Allocation and Joint Venture Partnership as part of efforts to reduce the housing deficit in the state, and by extension, in the country.
He stated that the need for the provision of mass housing schemes by the state government as well as other supporting public infrastructure was informed by the growing housing deficit in Nigeria which has now risen from seven million in 1991 to an estimated 28 million in 2023.
According to him, out of the 28 million housing deficit figure, Lagos stood at a 17 million deficit, with an estimated 500,000 people migrating into Lagos annually.
“It is pertinent to address the housing gap in the state with credence to the burning national issues. The growing housing deficit in Nigeria has risen from seven million in 1991 to an estimated 28 million in 2023,” she said. The governor added that there are ongoing projects in various locations across the state, which include Ibese Phase II, Egan, Sangotedo, Epe, and Badagry, to mention but a few.
Speaking earlier, the Federal Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa disclosed that a nationwide adoption of the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law, a housing industry stakeholders’ initiative is another reform embraced by President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda for the populace.
The Minister commended the efforts of the Lagos State government in digitising its operations while also applauding Kaduna and Kano states for implementing reforms, urging other states to emulate them.