Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday said the state has constructed over 10,000 housing units in the last six years.
The governor made this known during the inauguration of the first phase of the Lagos State Housing Estate in Ajara, Badagry, marking the 24th housing project completed under his administration.
The estate was renamed by Governor Sanwo-Olu in honour of the late former Head of Service, Sunny Akinsanya Ajose.
He described the 420 new homes as a major milestone, which underscored his administration’s continued commitment to providing decent and affordable shelter across all income levels, with a specific focus on decentralising development outside the city centre.
“As we near the end of this administration, our commitment to closing the housing gap remains strong, focusing on smart infrastructure investments that push development beyond just the city center. We are also working to complete four additional housing schemes across the state, which including, Lagos State Housing Estate, Ibeshe Phase II (192 units), Egan–Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, Clusters 2 & 3 (587 units), Epe Housing Scheme, Ita Marun (112 units) and LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase II, Eti-Osa (524 units). Each of these developments highlights our strong belief that every Lagosian, no matter where they live or their income level, deserves a place they can truly call home,” he said.
The governor said Badagry has reaped the benefits of targeted investments in road infrastructure, public hospitals, schools, and other vital facilities.
He said: “These initiatives have opened up this historic town to the world, positioning it as a rising hotspot for eco-tourism, culture, and commerce. This particular project has created over 1,300 jobs, both directly and indirectly, during its construction phase. Even more jobs will come from managing the facilities and other estate services once everything is fully occupied. Although this initiative was started by the previous administration, we have breathed new life and purpose into it — transforming the gateway to this great city and enhancing the newly expanded Lagos–Badagry Expressway.”
To further bridge the housing deficit, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the groundbreaking for Phase II of the Ajara project. This new phase will feature high-rise buildings of at least seven stories, a strategic move to “maximize our land resources” and accommodate more families.
‘We take pride in aligning our efforts with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, aiming to provide affordable and sustainable homes for our citizens. We’re also in talks with financing organizations eager to partner with Lagos State to deliver mass housing and introduce innovative solutions that make home ownership more attainable and accessible. To enhance affordability, we plan to subsidize the selling prices of the housing units. Twenty percent of the homes will be set aside for members of the Medical Guild, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (Lagos State Chapter), and other public and private sector unions. Additionally, public servants will receive rebates as a token of appreciation for their dedicated service to our state,” he stated.
Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the Ajara housing project was a major step toward the state’s housing goals under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda.
According to him, the estate, which occupies 18.9 hectares of land, consists of 35 blocks of 12-flat buildings, making a total of 420 units.
He added that each block included one, two, and three-bedroom semi-furnished apartments with kitchens, cabinets, wardrobes, and lighting fixtures.
Akinderu-Fatai explained that “the estate also has roads, drainage systems, car parks, external electrification, water and sewage treatment plants, and landscaping.”
He said: “Mr Governor, Sir, this is indeed another milestone in our collective journey towards increasing the quantum of modern, affordable, and sustainable housing for the good people of Lagos State. This moment is both a celebration of progress and a promise for the future — a beacon of hope for families and a symbol of our unwavering commitment to improving lives. The project commenced in the year 2013 by the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) and was later transferred to the Ministry of Housing for completion in the Year 2017. The present administration under your leadership directed that the project should be resuscitated and that the ministry must ensure its completion. We are happy to carry out your vision of not living this project the way you met it, Sir.
“Mr Governor Sir, your vision is to make Lagos State livable and sustainable. This dream needs to be energized with a plea to further intervene on behalf of the low income earners. It has been tough sustaining the infrastructure and maintaining common areas in our estates. This is majorly due to the increase in energy cost to power the sewage and water treatment system. The cost has been huge and most residents have found it difficult to pay. We, therefore, plea for urgent realization of plans to install solar system to power estate infrastructure and take them off the national grid. We acknowledge your love for low income segment of the society and especially your beloved workers and on their behalf we seek for the construction of more schemes. The ministry is ready to immediately commence work on Ajara Phase 2, The Epe phase 2, Ipaja Command scheme as well as Imota. This will help to further put your legacy on affordable housing development on solid ground.
Mr Governor, Sir, history will definitely be kind to your leadership for the provision of liveable and serene environment to those that you have been able to get to the housing ladder at prices that a far below the construction cost. We thank you on their behalf,” the commissioner said.