Ahead of the 2027 election, Lagos State governorship candidates have outlined their plans to address the housing crisis in the state. At The Platform, a town hall meeting organized by The Covenant Nation, the candidates presented their visions for repositioning and accelerating housing construction to make it accessible to all residents. The event provided a platform for the candidates to share their commitments to addressing the housing needs of Lagos residents.
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Deji Doherty, emphasized that the government will focus on building more houses for residents, rather than trying to control rent in houses it has not provided. As an engineer, Doherty proposed building high-rise, low-cost housing in the hinterland areas, such as Epe, Ojo, and Badagry, and redeveloping family houses in high hubs. He also suggested providing transportation to connect residents to their workplaces.
Funso Doherty, the governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), promised a comprehensive approach to housing, with a focus on delivering 150,000 housing units in the first term in office. He emphasized the need for government involvement in the housing sector, as the demand for housing far exceeds the supply. Funso Doherty also pledged to prioritize land allocation for affordable and low-income housing and to ensure aggressive housing development.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate and an architect, promised to deliver housing at the lowest possible price and engage trained artisans in housing development initiatives. He proposed increasing the housing stock, similar to former Governor Lateef Jakande's efforts, which targeted 100,000 housing units in the first four years. Rhodes-Vivour also emphasized the need for housing units that can grow with residents as their needs increase.
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, noted that Lagos State occupies only 0.34% of Nigeria's landmass but is home to a large percentage of the population, making it densely populated. He proposed deepening the mortgage sector, allowing people to pay 10% of the cost and the rest over 20 years. Hamzat also pledged to complete existing housing projects, such as the 700 flats in Sagotedo, Ibeshe, Egan-Igando, and Amuwo-Odofin.
The candidates' plans for addressing the housing crisis in Lagos State vary, but all share a commitment to increasing housing supply and making it more accessible to residents. They also emphasized the need for government involvement in the housing sector and the importance of transportation connectivity. The town hall meeting provided a platform for the candidates to share their visions and engage with residents on the issue of housing.
The Lagos State governorship election is scheduled for 2027, and the candidates' plans for addressing the housing crisis are expected to be a key factor in the election. The housing crisis in Lagos State is a pressing issue, with many residents struggling to access affordable housing. The candidates' proposals aim to address this issue and provide a more sustainable solution to the state's housing needs.
Key points
- The Lagos State governorship candidates have unveiled plans to address the housing crisis, including increasing housing supply, developing the mortgage sector, and ensuring greater connectivity between housing and transportation.
- The candidates' plans vary, but all share a commitment to making housing more accessible to residents, with proposals ranging from building 150,000 housing units to completing existing projects.
- The town hall meeting provided a platform for the candidates to share their visions and engage with residents on the issue of housing, which is expected to be a key factor in the 2027 election.
