Housing Ministry, Lagos Government Collaborate to Resolve Land Administration Issues

The Nigerian Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Lagos State Government have agreed to collaborate to resolve outstanding land administration issues in the state.

This was a significant outcome from the meeting between the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos Government House, Marina.

During his working visit to Lagos State, Dangiwa toured the Ministry’s field offices, including the Glass House, which accommodates over 40 federal agencies, and the former Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi, currently embroiled in a dispute with the state government.

The Minister and the Governor decided to establish a tripartite committee involving the Ministry, the Lagos State Government, and Resort International Limited, which began work on the complex before the dispute arose.

This committee will review and assess the situation to find a mutually beneficial resolution for all parties involved.

The Minister took the opportunity to inform the Governor about the Ministry’s initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at providing decent and affordable housing for Nigerians while promoting urban development and upgrading slums.

Dangiwa praised the notable progress made by Sanwo-Olu’s administration in delivering good governance and transforming Lagos into a model of progress and innovation.
He also expressed gratitude to the Governor for allocating land in Ibeju-Lekki for the Renewed Hope City Project, where construction on 2,000 housing units is underway, with an official groundbreaking ceremony expected by President Tinubu early next year.

To promote a sustainable and investment-friendly environment in Lagos, the Minister urged the Governor to harmonize federal and state regulatory activities, stressing that building synergy is vital for attracting private sector investments and ensuring sustainable urban development.

Dangiwa requested the Governor’s support in finding common solutions to the ongoing land issues with the federal government, highlighting the importance of strengthening the relationship between the federal and Lagos State governments as the former seat of government.

“Your Excellency, the Federal Government, and Lagos State are partners in development and land administration. It is essential for us to work together in cooperation and understanding,” he remarked.

He expressed confidence that a collaborative approach would enhance urban development and improve the lives of Lagos people, noting Lagos State as the first to adopt the National Building Code and looking forward to a fruitful partnership between the Ministry and the state.

During his visit to the Glass House, the Minister addressed staff from the various agencies, assuring them that the Ministry plans major renovations to revive the building, including restoring electricity and water supply to create a conducive working environment.