Lagos targets delivery of 636 housing units in Egan by year-end, banks on PPPs to expand supply

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to complete and commission a 636-unit housing estate in Egan before the end of 2026, while also banking on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand housing supply and reduce the state’s housing deficit.

Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, commissioner for housing, disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection tour of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, the Joint Venture (JV) Housing Scheme in Ipaja and the Lagos State Workers’ Village at Command Road, Ipaja.

He said the state was combining direct government investment with private sector participation to increase the delivery of affordable homes despite rising construction costs and inflationary pressures.

“This is government intervention. Government cannot build for everybody,” Akinderu-Fatai said. “What we are doing is encouraging the private sector to come into building for low-income earners.”

The commissioner noted that the PPP model has become increasingly important in bridging the housing gap, citing the housing development in Ipaja being executed through a joint venture arrangement, which he said is nearing completion.

According to him, the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, which consists of 636 two- and three-bedroom apartments, has reached about 85 percent completion and remains on track for commissioning before year-end despite delays by one contractor.

“We are here to assess the progress of work and identify areas requiring urgent attention. We have a contractor who is far behind schedule, and that is one of the major challenges we are addressing. However, that will not stop us from moving ahead with our plans to complete these projects,” he said.

He added that an earlier phase of the Egan scheme comprising 270 housing units was completed about two to three years ago and is already occupied.

The commissioner said the inspection was aimed at reviewing construction progress and resolving outstanding engineering and infrastructure issues ahead of commissioning.

At the Egan estate, he said key infrastructure has largely been completed, with electricity challenges resolved and essential utilities already in place.

“We are happy that we have been able to resolve the electricity issues. Electricity is a major component of the scheme. The water treatment plant is ready, the sewer system is also ready, and most of the housing units are substantially completed,” he stated.

The inspection team also visited the JV Housing Scheme in Ipaja, comprising 128 housing units made up of 80 two-bedroom and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The team further inspected the Lagos State Workers’ Village at Command Road, Ipaja, a development comprising 176 housing units in 11 blocks, with each block containing 16 two-bedroom apartments.

Akinderu-Fatai said the projects form part of the state government’s broader strategy to expand access to affordable housing and increase the stock of homes available to residents.

He reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to affordable housing, noting that government-developed homes are intentionally priced below prevailing market rates to encourage homeownership.

Responding to concerns about facility management charges in government estates, the commissioner said such fees are determined by residents and estate managers rather than the state government.

“Facility management fees are agreed by the inhabitants, not set by government,” he said.

He added that the government continues to intervene when infrastructure challenges exceed the financial capacity of residents.

“We still monitor and intervene when we discover issues that are beyond the residents because these estates are for low-income earners,” he said.

To further reduce residents’ energy costs, Akinderu-Fatai disclosed that the government is considering powering the estate’s water system with solar energy.

He added that the Egan estate would include recreational facilities such as a football pitch, basketball court, event hall and other communal amenities, with construction already underway.