Developer calls for stronger policies to promote affordable housing in Lagos

With Lagos facing mounting urban pressure from rapid population growth and limited land supply, real estate developers have called for stronger housing policies to promote affordable and sustainable housing across the State.

Speaking on the role of policy in expanding access to housing, Richard Nyong, Founder, Foreshore Waters Limited, said the affordability gap in Lagos continues to widen due to weak planning frameworks and inconsistent regulation.

“Urban expansion without structure creates pressure on infrastructure and pushes housing further out of reach for many residents. Housing policy must prioritise planning, cost efficiency, facility management and enforceable standards if affordable communities are to thrive,” he said

Nyong noted that professionally managed residential developments can help reduce long-term housing costs by ensuring proper infrastructure, controlled density and maintenance systems that limit service breakdowns and unplanned expenses for residents.

Foreshore Waters Limited operates residential projects in Banana Island, Ikoyi and Ikeja GRA and has delivered over 2,500 housing units across these districts. According to the developer, aligning projects with approved planning standards and sustainable facility management structures is essential to making housing more accessible over time.

The developer said collaboration between Government agencies, planning authorities and private developers is critical to addressing Lagos’ housing deficit, particularly in creating pricing models and development frameworks that support affordability.

“Policy consistency and enforcement are as important as construction. Without clear guidelines, incentives and accountability, affordable housing initiatives will remain difficult to scale,” Nyong warned.

Urban analysts say Lagos’ housing challenge goes beyond supply, pointing to the need for better integration of housing developments with infrastructure, transport networks and environmental planning to keep costs manageable for residents.

Nyong stressed that housing should be treated as a public policy priority rather than a purely commercial activity.

“Housing is a public interest issue. When development aligns with policy, affordability improves, communities are stronger, and the city works better for everyone,” he noted.

Beyond policy advocacy, Nyong said delivery models that allow flexibility in housing completion can also support affordability over time. He explained that offering residential units in advanced shell form gives homeowners the opportunity to manage finishing costs according to their financial capacity, while still maintaining approved building standards.

Foreshore Waters Limited, which operates across Lagos’ prime districts, has also adopted phased development and structured payment options on several projects, allowing buyers to spread costs over defined periods.

According to the company, this approach has helped ease entry barriers for homeowners while ensuring projects remain compliant with planning approvals and long term facility management requirements.

Nyong said such development frameworks, when supported by clear government policies and effective regulation, could help bridge the affordability gap in Lagos’ housing market.

He stressed that aligning private-sector innovation with public-sector planning remains essential to delivering housing solutions that are both accessible and sustainable in a rapidly growing city.