Get Guardian on GoogleHousing experts have called for stronger private sector participation in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, urging government, developers and financial institutions to expand access to affordable homeownership.
The Chairman of Qshelter Nigeria Limited, Niyi Oyedele, made the call at the 2026 annual lecture and awards of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) in Lagos, themed “Reimagining Housing in Nigeria: Sustainability, Facility Management and Innovative Building Materials.”
Represented by the firm’s Head of Operations, Adeyinka Adeleye, Oyedele said government could not bridge the housing deficit alone, noting that public-private partnerships were needed to mobilise investment, construction expertise, technology and finance.
He said housing delivery must address buyers’ needs, including suitable properties, transparent pricing, secure titles and affordable payment plans.
Oyedele disclosed that Qshelter had sold more than 2,000 properties and engaged over 50,000 prospective homeowners in two years. Its portfolio includes Renewed Hope City projects in Karsana, Abuja, Janguza, Kano, and 2004 Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos.
He urged developers to consider the long-term costs of homeownership, including energy, water, repairs and maintenance, and called for proper management of estate infrastructure such as roads, drainage and shared facilities.
Oyedele, who is also the Vice Chairman, Lagos branch, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, also advocated greater use of locally manufactured building materials to lower construction costs, create jobs and shorten delivery timelines. Government, he said, should accelerate land titling, building approvals, infrastructure provision and access to housing finance, while developers must honour commitments to buyers.
The Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director of UPDC Plc, Odunayo Ojo, said most houses Nigerians would occupy by 2050 had yet to be built, presenting an opportunity to rethink housing design and delivery.
He urged government, developers and investors to plan for future housing needs, with greater attention to sustainability, infrastructure and technology. Ojo also stressed that housing development must be coordinated with transport infrastructure to ensure new communities are accessible and economically viable.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mrs Florence Gbaye, called for closer cooperation among government, property owners, developers and built environment professionals to improve building safety.
Speaking at the event, she urged developers to use quality materials, obtain planning and building approvals, maintain properties and comply with construction standards.
She said agencies such as the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) ensure that developments meet approved planning requirements, while LASBCA inspects and enforces building regulations.
Gbaye urged professionals, journalists and residents to report buildings that violate construction standards or pose safety risks, adding that regulations protect lives, property and investments.
She also encouraged young Nigerians to plan early for homeownership and explore available housing options despite rising property prices.
Earlier, PEWAN Chairman, Mrs Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, said housing should provide more than shelter, urging developers to incorporate energy and water conservation, waste reduction and climate-responsive designs.
She identified natural ventilation, energy-efficient lighting, solar power and rainwater harvesting as measures that could lower operating costs and improve residents’ comfort. She also called for responsible land use to prevent unplanned development.
Iroegbu-Chikezie said the value of buildings depended on their maintenance and management after construction, urging developers to prioritise facility management.
