The Lagos State Government has stated that building more homes is not the only way to address the housing shortage, emphasising the importance of affordability, accessibility, and access to basic services.
This was said by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a keynote speech given on Monday at the 2026 World Habitat Day event in Lagos by Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai.
The subject of this year’s World Habitat Day was “Adequate Housing for All.”
Sanwo-Olu noted that decent housing must include security, affordability, accessibility, and essential services, adding that a building’s sheer existence does not necessarily imply that it offers sufficient accommodation for the family residing there.
However, the governor conceded that the accomplishment was only a small portion of the larger solution needed to meet the state’s housing needs.
He claims that programs like Lagos HOMS and the Rent-to-Own program are increasing the number of chances for property ownership. He noted that an additional 1,584 dwellings would be provided by five housing projects that are presently being built.
Sanwo-Olu also emphasised the significance of the infrastructure surrounding residential areas, stating that adequate housing requires roads, drainage, electricity, and water supply.
He stated that the state was working on tenancy laws to shield citizens from arbitrary rent hikes and illegal fees.
Developers, financial institutions, planning experts, traditional leaders, community leaders, and other stakeholders were urged by the governor to help create safe and sustainable communities.
Additionally, he cautioned locals to abide with physical planning laws, pointing out that buildings built without the required permits might put nearby villages and their citizens in danger.
In a previous speech, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, connected appropriate housing to employment, transportation, security, healthcare, education, water supply, sanitation, and efficient urban planning.
According to Olumide, Lagos’ fast population growth has put more strain on housing, land, and other urban services, necessitating coordinated physical planning.
In order to provide inhabitants with appropriate housing, he urged increased collaboration between government agencies, private developers, financial institutions, professional associations, communities, and other stakeholders.
The high cost of housing is a social and economic problem, according to Festus Adebayo, the founder and convener of the Africa International Housing Show.
According to Adebayo, a large number of recent graduates and working families were unable to save, invest, or buy homes since they had to spend a large percentage of their income on rent and transportation.
He maintained that the amount of available homes should not be the primary consideration in the housing issue, but also whether or not people could afford and obtain them.
Adebayo pointed out that while many families found it difficult to find suitable housing, certain residential buildings in Nigeria remained unoccupied.
In order to make housing more accessible, he promoted better access to land and housing financing as well as increased collaboration between public and private sector parties.
Sustainable housing, according to David Olawale, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, depends on efficient urban planning and cooperation between professional and governmental organisations.
Sustainable Development Goal 11, which encourages inclusive, secure, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements, was also mentioned by Olawale.
World Habitat Day should be seen beyond the building of homes, according to Daisi Oso, General Manager of the Lagos Informal Space Management Authority, who emphasised the need of creating communities that are secure, tranquil, accessible, and sustainable.