Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has urged practitioners in the real estate industry to embrace sustainable housing construction to protect the planet and ensure inclusive access to shelter.

He made the call at the ongoing 75th International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) World Congress, entitled: ‘Global Real Estate Renaissance’, hosted by Nigeria in Lagos.

He emphasised that the future of real estate must be sustainable by protecting the planet, and must be inclusive and diverse to reflect the realities of the diverse people who will live in it.

According to him, sustainable housing, which is climate-responsive design, using local materials, should be embraced.

Osinbajo urged the state governments to play a decisive role by deploying social housing as a deliberate choice and an investment with both social and economic returns.

He referenced former Lagos State Governor, late Lateef Jakande, who, between 1979 and 1983, built over 30,000 affordable housing units from the public budget alone in Isolo, Iponri and Ipaja and more, with many of them still standing to date, and the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who delivered over 12,000 units between 2019 and 2023 despite being one of the poorest states.

According to him, in both cases, political will, efficient procurement and smart implementation made it possible, adding that both leaders secured land in service areas, negotiated building materials in bulk and outsourced construction to local contractors to make it work.

He said: “The long-term solution for building affordable housing and allowing many access to housing is mortgage, but not just for those in formal employment, but in the informal sector. We must embrace digital tools, like Proptech, that make land registration easier, curb fraud.”

President, FIABCI-Nigeria chapter, Akin Opatola, argued that real estate was not just about property, but people, possibilities and progress, adding that Lagos, with its energy, resilience and rising skylines, joins the global dialogue of innovation and opportunity.

Opatola said the theme signals a bold, forward-looking vision that champions human experience, global collaboration and long-term sustainability.

World President of FIABCI, Ramon Riera, in a message, noted that the congress was the first being held on the African continent, explaining that the theme reflects a time of new ideas and fresh thinking in the real estate sector.

“From innovation and technology to sustainability and inclusive growth, we are entering a new era of opportunity. Lagos, a fast-growing and vibrant city, is the perfect place to explore this global transformation,’ he said.