LAGOS REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TOWARDS LAND, HOUSING, AND URBAN RENEWAL REFORMS AT REDA 2025

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming land administration, urban renewal, and housing delivery through technology, transparency, and sustainable planning.

 This position was articulated at the just concluded 2025 Real Estate Discussions and Awards (REDA) held in Lagos, organised by Thinkmint Nigeria. 

Delivering one of the keynote presentations, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Enterprise Geographic Information System (E-GIS) and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde outlined a comprehensive roadmap for real estate and physical planning reforms in Lagos.

He reaffirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to expanding land supply for development by unlocking more parcels for lawful and sustainable use.

 According to him, the state has activated aggressive urban regeneration projects through the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), including the Katangua redevelopment, Okobaba relocation to Agboyi, and several site-and-services schemes designed to optimise land utilisation.

Dr. Babatunde disclosed that Lagos currently operates multiple inherited land title systems, ranging from Queen’s Titles to Federal and State Titles, and that the government is consolidating these into a single transparent framework to harmonise ownership, eliminate duplication, and strengthen investors' confidence.

He also announced that the state, working with international partners, has completed comprehensive digital mapping to support the rollout of the Enterprise Geographic Information System (E-GIS), a digital platform that will allow instant land searches, online applications, digital certification, and real-time verification of ownership and approvals.

Highlighting the enforcement dimension of the reform, Dr. Babatunde revealed that Lagos would soon begin compulsory insurance for all multi-storey commercial buildings above two floors and commence land and building regularisation with a 300-property pilot project in Epe

 He added that a new electronic planning permit system would enable compliant applicants to secure building approvals in as little as 10 minutes, drastically cutting bureaucratic delays.

He warned developers against double allocations, forged surveys, and unapproved developments, noting that the state is conducting a comprehensive physical planning audit and will impose penalties on non-compliant properties. 

He urged Lagos residents and investors to verify all land titles, surveys, and building approvals before any transaction to avoid sanctions.

In another presentation, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical and Urban Development, Engr. Olumide Sotire emphasized the importance of regulation and professional synergy in managing Lagos’s rapid urban expansion

According to him, the city’s population growth and internal migration have created fragmented and unplanned developments, putting immense pressure on land, housing, and infrastructure. 

He called for strict adherence to physical planning laws to ensure orderly and sustainable urban development.

Engr. Sotire described ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Lekki–Epe and Lagos–Badagry Expressway expansions, and the Lagos Rail and Water Transport Systems as catalysts opening new investment corridors across the state.

He further advocated for green building designs, climate-resilient infrastructure, and smart city innovations, describing sustainability as the foundation of Lagos’s future planning strategy. He also underscored the role of the E-GIS initiative in promoting transparency and efficiency in land management.

From the national perspective, the Executive Director, Operations, Family Homes Funds (FHF), Dr. Emeka Henry Inegbum shared insights on innovative financing models being deployed to address Nigeria’s housing deficit.

He explained that FHF, a federal government–owned institution under the Ministry of Finance, is focused on unlocking affordable housing through strategic funding mechanisms.

Dr. Inegbum highlighted four major interventions, which included: Affordable Housing Fund, Rental Housing Fund, Help-to-Own Programme, and Land and Infrastructure Development Fund. 

He noted that “funding remains the backbone of real estate” and reiterated FHF’s dedication to bridging Nigeria’s housing gap while promoting inclusive economic growth.

In her remarks, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thinkmint Nigeria, Mrs. Imelda Usoro Olaoye commended the level of collaboration and policy clarity that emerged from the 2025 REDA discussions.

 She described this year’s edition as a “compelling platform that reinforces collaboration, innovation, and integrity as the cornerstones of Nigeria’s real estate future.”

According to her, the gathering reaffirmed REDA’s role as Nigeria’s premier convergence for real estate and housing professionals—where ideas meet action, partnerships are strengthened, and the blueprint for sustainable development is charted