- Vows to Bridge Housing Gap
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos State Housing Estate in Ajara, Badagry, marking the 24th housing project commissioned under his administration and delivering 420 new homes to residents.
The commissioning, which the Governor called a major milestone, underscores the state’s continued commitment to providing decent and affordable shelter across all income levels, with a specific focus on decentralising development outside the city centre.
Addressing an audience in the historic town, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the project was part of a broader vision to create a Greater Lagos where citizens live in dignity, work productively, and contribute to a 21st-century economy.
“The true measure of our progress is, and will always be, the wellbeing of our people,” the Governor stated.
He acknowledged that while the project was initiated by a previous administration in 2013, his government breathed new life and purpose into it, positioning Badagry as a rising hotspot for eco-tourism, culture and commerce.
The 420-unit Phase I of the Ajara scheme consists of 35 blocks of 12-in-1 residential buildings, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom semi-furnished apartments. The estate is equipped with modern amenities, including paved roads, a water treatment facility, a sewage plant, an efficient drainage system and a comprehensive electrification network.
The Governor revealed that over the last six years, his administration has successfully rolled out 23 housing estates, providing more than 10,000 homes for people across low, middle, and high-income brackets throughout the state’s five divisions.
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.
”The government is also working to complete four other housing schemes across the State, 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).”
To make the new homes more accessible, the Governor pledged to subsidise the selling prices of the units. In a significant move to reward public service, 20 per cent of the homes will be reserved for members of the Medical Guild, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (Lagos State Chapter), and other public and private sector unions. Public servants will also receive additional rebates.
The government is also exploring innovative solutions with financing organisations to make home ownership more attainable and is looking into collaborations with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to power the estate’s critical infrastructure, such as the sewage treatment plants and street lighting, with renewable energy.
Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, described the commissioning as a beacon of hope for families and noted that the project was a bold testament to the Governor’s vision under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda.
The Commissioner stressed that the government’s resolve remains to ensure every resident, regardless of location, has access to decent and dignified accommodation.
The Ajara project created over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs during its construction phase, with more job opportunities expected from the facility management upon full occupancy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu called on new homeowners to be responsible citizens, encouraging them to make this estate a shining example of excellence by maintaining the buildings and infrastructure.
