Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has emphasised that close collaboration between government and the private sector is essential to closing the housing gap in Lagos, noting that affordable and sustainable housing delivery thrives on strong public–private partnerships.
Sanwo-Olu made this known at the 6th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference, organised by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Agency (LASRERA), with the theme: “Shaping the Future of Lagos Mega City: Infrastructure Investment, Innovation and Affordable Housing.”
The governor said his administration is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable housing sector for all residents but noted that achieving this goal requires the active participation of private developers, financial institutions and investors.
Today, I welcomed participants to the 6th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference and commended LASRERA for sustaining a platform that effectively connects policy, investment and action. The conference theme speaks directly to our current realities and our future direction.
The… pic.twitter.com/INgn8ENtaZ
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) December 16, 2025
According to him, housing goes beyond physical structures and speaks directly to human dignity, economic productivity and social stability.
“Housing is not just about buildings. It is about the kind of city we choose to become. In Lagos, affordability means homes people can actually live in, pay for and access close to where they work and raise families.
This can only be achieved through partnerships, leveraging public-private partnerships, structured finance and demand-led planning,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He emphasised that the government’s role is to act as an enabler, regulator and partner, rather than the sole provider of housing, adding that no meaningful progress can be made without strong collaboration with the private sector.
Also Read: Nigerian Government Commences 100-Housing Units Project in Kwara State.
“A true megacity is not defined by how tall it builds, but by how well it lives. That is the Lagos we are committed to building thoughtfully, inclusively and sustainably,” he added.
Global attention
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said Lagos has attracted global attention due to its development strategies, capital projects and housing initiatives aimed at positioning the state as Africa’s model megacity.
He noted that regulatory agencies such as LASRERA play a key role in ensuring that innovation in the housing and construction sector does not compromise public safety, integrity or compliance.
“Lagos is an integrated model of urban development where infrastructure investment, spatial planning, regulation and social planning work together. We have moved from vision to implementation, from plans to performance,” Akinderu-Fatai said.
Strategic platform
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Ms Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, described the conference as a strategic platform for government and private sector stakeholders to jointly address challenges facing the housing sector in a rapidly growing megacity like Lagos.
She said partnerships with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and other African nations reflect the state government’s readiness to strengthen its real estate infrastructure and adopt global best practices.
Odunuga-Bakare also disclosed that the state government is reviewing a new tenancy bill at the Lagos State House of Assembly, aimed at streamlining the roles of real estate practitioners and providing clearer guidelines for property transactions.
“Lagos State is committed to creating the most transparent and investor-friendly real estate ecosystem in Africa. Let us use this platform to forge partnerships that will deliver real homes, not just ideas,” she said.
The conference brought together local and international stakeholders to explore innovative financing, infrastructure investment and collaborative solutions to address Lagos’ growing housing needs.