IKEJA, LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of government-owned housing estates across the state, calling on residents, facility managers, and key stakeholders to actively participate in maintaining infrastructure and promoting responsible estate management.
This appeal was made during a recent stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lagos HOMS Office in Magodo-Isheri, Ikeja Division. Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, emphasized that preserving public housing infrastructure requires a collaborative effort between government and residents.
Toriola explained that while the government has made significant investments in the provision of affordable housing, it is the responsibility of residents and estate management bodies to ensure the effective maintenance of facilities. He identified key components of estate sustainability as the prompt payment of service charges, insurance premiums, and sinking funds.
“Government alone cannot shoulder the burden of maintaining these estates,” he stated. “Residents must show commitment by fulfilling their financial obligations and treating these facilities as long-term investments in their quality of life.”
The stakeholders’ engagement, which brought together residents and facility managers from various government-owned estates in the Ikeja axis, also featured technical sessions on best practices for estate upkeep. Presentations focused on fire safety, waste management, drainage systems, environmental sanitation, and crime prevention.
The Ministry used the forum to introduce an updated “Allottees’ Guide,” a comprehensive document outlining the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of residents, facility managers, and other stakeholders in the management of housing estates. Toriola encouraged attendees to familiarize themselves with the guide and to actively engage with management teams to resolve challenges.
Residents commended the initiative and called for consistent communication between the government and estate associations to ensure transparency and accountability in service delivery.
The Lagos State Ministry of Housing also announced plans to conduct phased upgrades on various estates, including refurbishment of external infrastructure and enhancement of communal amenities. These upgrades, it noted, will be jointly funded through existing resident contributions and state support.
The state government’s renewed focus on housing sustainability aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader housing agenda, which includes delivering affordable and durable homes for Lagosians. Since 2019, the administration has reportedly delivered close to 10,000 housing units through a combination of direct government investment, public-private partnerships, and mortgage schemes. The state projects the development of over 14,000 additional units by 2026.
