Odunuga-Bakare Urges Private-Sector-Led Solutions to Nigeria’s Housing Crisis
Kehinde Adeleye
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barrister Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, has stressed the urgent need for bold policy reforms to bridge Nigeria’s housing deficit and unlock private-sector-led delivery.
Speaking at the BRG Developers Summit 2025, 3.0, in Morocco, Odunuga-Bakare said governments must shift from being perceived as obstacles to becoming true enablers of housing development.
Delivering her keynote address on the theme, “Government as Enabler or Obstacle? Policy Reforms Needed to Unlock Nigeria’s Housing Market Potential,” she identified the Land Use Act, taxation policies, and affordable housing incentives as critical areas requiring reform.
According to her, the Land Use Act of 1978 has created bottlenecks in land ownership, registration, and titling, leading to delays that raise transaction costs and discourage investors. She noted that Lagos State, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is tackling these issues through innovations such as the Lagos State Geographic Information System (LAGIS), which digitalises land registries to speed up approvals.
On taxation, Odunuga-Bakare said value-added tax (VAT) and multiple levies on building materials inflate construction costs and undermine affordability. She explained that Lagos has harmonised fees through the Lagos Revenue Portal (LRP) to improve transparency and encourage private investment.
Highlighting the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the Special Adviser cited Lagos initiatives such as LagosHoms and Rent-to-Own schemes as models for bridging the housing gap. She said the state is also developing standardised PPP frameworks, promoting local building materials, and implementing subsidies to enhance affordability.
“The real estate sector is not just about land and property transactions; it is about creating an enabling environment, shaping lives, and building a sustainable future. To unlock housing potentials, policies must move from regulatory dominance to enabling private investment through transparent reforms and workable incentives,” she said.
Odunuga-Bakare reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to fostering a housing market that attracts investors while meeting citizens’ aspirations for affordable and decent homes.
